TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR FINANCES

BY DR. NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

A GUIDEPOSTS OUTREACH PUBLICATION

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR FINANCES

2 Introduction

4 Think Creatively

8 Be Knowledgeable

10 Visualize Your Financial Goals

14 Refuse to Think “Lack”

16 Make God Your Partner

20 Involve Your Family

22 Tap Into the “Law of Supply”

26 Say “No!” to Negative Thoughts

28 Spend Sparingly

30 Pray

TABLE OF CONTENTSGUIDEPOSTS OUTREACH

Guideposts, founded by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and his wife, Ruth Stafford Peale, in 1945, is a nonprofit interfaith ministry dedicated to helping people from all walks of life achieve their maximum personal and spiritual potential. Its inspirational products and pro-grams spring from two major beliefs: that true stories are a powerful way to motivate people to lead better lives and that faith in God can be strengthened by applying spiritual truths to daily life.

Guideposts Outreach strives to fulfill our mission by providing inspirational publications free of charge to hospitals, nursing homes, churches, military personnel, correctional facilities and other organizations that serve the public. In addition, we invite our readers to send us their prayer requests—by mail, by phone or via the Inter-net. Every working day, Guideposts staff and volunteers pray for those requests by name and need.

For additional information about Guideposts Outreach, please visit GuidepostsFoundation.org

This publication is a ministry of Guidepost Outreach which distributes inspirational literature free of charge to organizations serving those in need. We thank you for your continued support and welcome donations.

Copyright © 2009 by Guideposts Outreach. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.Scripture quotation on page 32 is from the Holy Bible Contemporary English Version. Copyright © 1995 American Bible Society.

ALL PHOTOS: Shutterstock Printed in U.S.A

INTRODUCTION

Every year thousands of people face financial and economic challenges. Perhaps you are one of them. Job loss, over-extended credit,

college tuition, medical expenses, investment downturn and a variety of other situations can cause anxious days and sleepless nights.

In times like these, it’s hard to imagine that our lives can be filled with abundance and prosperity. Yet that is exactly what God wants for us. Norman Vincent Peale frequently wrote about this concept: “The word prosperity is often tainted to mean only money, a nice house, beautiful clothes or a flashy automobile. But the fundamental meaning of prosperity is to thrive and to flourish in every way possible that enhances human life. And the word abundance doesn’t necessarily mean to have a lot. It means literally to rise up like ocean waves,

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A WORD ABOUT THIS BOOKLET

so that all of God’s goodness, all of his joy, all of his love wash over you. Then there is no scarcity, no limitation. There is abundance, prosperity and goodness.”

Jesus addressed this same topic in the Gospel of John: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (10:10).

This small book is filled with timeless principles regarding sound money management. In it Dr. Peale offers you no get-rich-quick schemes but rather advice for taking charge of your finances and living life to its fullest.

God wants to be part of every aspect of your life; he wants to help you face every problem. It is our prayer that this booklet will bless you and your family — spiritually and financially.

Guideposts Outreach

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THINK CREATIVELY

One of the great truths in life is this: If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve been

getting. So, if you are having financial difficulties, take a close look at how you got into this situation. Strive to approach things in a fresh, new way. But remember — it is impossible to think creative thoughts out of a mind that is worried. You need to ask God to give you a peaceful mind through which he can send an answer to your money problems.

When life becomes difficult, there are two possible attitudes you can take. One is to become discouraged, even hopeless. You can give up, throw in the towel, think you’re done for. You can stop believing that you can do something about your situation.

The second attitude is to put all of your problems into God’s hands and believe — positively and

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optimistically — that you and God together can solve any problem. This dynamic faith attitude starts the creative process functioning. You will begin to see opportunities and solutions you could never have imagined on your own.

Again and again the Bible counsels us not to be anxious about the future. Jesus said: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…” (Luke 12:22). Worry blocks creative thinking, shrivels accomplishment and tends to stop the flow of prosperity.

When you center your mind on God and on his truth and abundance, your efforts will be richly rewarded. His bountiful prosperity will encircle you in new and creative ways.

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BE KNOWLEDGEABLE

Read and study various methods of money management. Find techniques that others have discovered, strategies that have been

proven to work. Seek out people who are successful with money, and add their knowledge to yours.

Know what your own financial situation is. Make a complete list of all your assets and debts. It’s amazing how many people really don’t know exactly how much they have, how much they owe or what their basic expenses are. When you are organized and aware of your assets, you are in a better position to plan for the future. Organization, aided by discipline, helps us use what we have wisely.

Jesus taught us, in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), that we are accountable for what God has given us. Organize your finances and use them wisely, no matter how little (or much!) you have.

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VISUALIZE YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

I once talked with a young couple who, like so many people, had been caught in the trap of “instant gratification.” Buying on credit, they

had amassed a sizable, almost insurmountable, debt. They were on the verge of declaring bankruptcy.

I advised them to make their goal to be debt free. “Imagine,” I told them, “the relief, the happiness, the peace of mind you will feel when the last payment is made. Hold that image in your conscious mind until it sinks down into your unconscious mind. Then, see a financial counselor to arrange a schedule of payments. With time, discipline and God’s help, you can reach that goal.”

That young couple took that advice to heart. Today, they are rid of that mountain of debt and are using their money wisely.

Make sure you have a definite financial goal.

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By knowing what you want and planning the steps necessary to get there, you put yourself in control of the situation. The going may not always be easy; in fact, it may be very rough at times. But most financial problems can be solved through a God-guided plan of systematic management.

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REFUSE TO THINK “LACK”

Attitudes are more important than facts. Nowhere is that better demonstrated than with money. The person whose attitude

is one of “lack,” who always focuses on what he doesn’t have, will never have enough — no matter how much he is able to acquire. The positive thinker, on the other hand, will value what he has, even if it is little.

Ask yourself if you are thinking “lack.” There is a curious law that if you think lack, you tend to create a situation of lack. Shift your thought pattern to one of abundance and believe that God is now in the process of giving you everything you need. Repel all lack thoughts; practice abundance thoughts. In ways that will amaze you, your needs will begin to be satisfied.

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MAKE GOD YOUR PARTNER

A man once told me he was failing at his job because he could come up with no fresh ideas. Then he remembered a sermon he

had heard claiming that God could be an actual partner. He had considered this unrealistic, but as he sat despondently slumped at his desk, he began to wonder. He thought, I’ve tried everything else, so I might as well try this. He bowed his head and prayed, saying, “Lord, I can’t handle my situation. I don’t seem to be getting the right ideas. My business is going badly. I want to take you as my partner. I haven’t anything to offer you except myself and the opportunity to help clean up this mess I’m in. I don’t really understand how this is going to work, but I’m willing to do anything you tell me.”

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Immediately, he felt peaceful. The next morning, an idea popped into his mind, like toast popping up in a toaster. This idea was, as he put it, “a natural.” And that is what it was — a natural solution emerging from a mind that was working harmoniously with God. Proverbs 16:3 assures us, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Many of the world’s most successful people think of God as their business guide, advisor and active associate. I believe that more prayers are said in offices, factories and stores each week than are offered in churches.

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INVOLVE YOUR FAMILY

Seek to have complete family cooperation on expenses. Make yours a family budget to be family spent. Teach your children

that sometimes extra money must be spent on one child this month, another child (or parent) the next. Plan and pray over your expenditures as a family; then each member will feel pride as the budget is controlled.

The surest guarantee of family happiness and well-being is to develop a profound faith and reliance upon God for guidance within the home. When the Bible says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1), it is a reminder of a time-tested truth: The family with religious faith tends to overcome problems and meet difficult situations successfully.

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The “Law of Supply” demonstrates that the world is full of goodness and that we can draw on that goodness. It means that life is

full of prosperity and we can draw on that prosper-ity. But you will never get these good things by grabbing or holding; you get them by giving.

The air during the Great Depression of the 1930s was filled with gloom. One night I went out and walked the streets near my New York apartment, with fear clutching my heart. How are we going to live? How are we going to get ahead? How are we going to pay the bills?

When I got home, my wife took my hand and said, “I want to tell you something, Norman. Things are going to be fine. All we need to do is give.”

“But we don’t have anything to give!”“We will give what we have. And I’ll promise

you this,” she continued, “if you will rededicate yourself to Jesus Christ and if you will give your

TAP INTO THE “LAW OF SUPPLY”

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money and if you will give your time to God, to the church and to human beings, God will always take care of us. You can forget being afraid.”

That was a long time ago, and God has always taken care of us. We have had many blessings. Why? Because I deserve them? No! But that kind of faith will always bring blessings.

If you are bogged down by your difficulties and are miserable and unhappy, start giving. Give your-self completely to Jesus Christ and then start giving yourself to others. Give by praying for people. Give love, especially if you aren’t getting love. Give your time. Give money. Now, that’s a hard one – especially in tough times. But the more money you give, the more you will have.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good mea-sure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the mea-sure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).

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If you are living a shallow, impoverished life, resolve to stop doing so this very day. Expect great things to happen. Confidently receive

God’s blessings; think prosperity and abundance. God wants to give you, his child, every good thing. Don’t hinder his generosity with negative thoughts and negative talk. Remind yourself that God will supply all your needs out of his vast abundance (Philippians 4:19).

If only a trickle is coming through to you from God’s storehouse of prosperity, it may be that negative thoughts are preventing the supply channels from being fully open.

Let God touch your life. Think big, pray big, believe big. Be big in your soul. And never think scarcity, for scarcity thoughts scare prosperity away.

SAY “N0!” TO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

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The word “thrift” may seem old-fashioned to some people, but I believe it is the most logical answer to most of our money

problems. Thrift means watching your nickels and dimes, making thoughtful buying decisions — every time. This kind of self-discipline is not easy. But it is good for us. Before you make a purchase, pray and ask God, “Do I really need this?” The pleasure of giving up something now and saving for the future adds delight to life. Prayerful control of spending brings both financial and spiritual blessings.

Everyday efforts to save money can help save the planet, too. By turning off unneeded lights, wearing a sweater instead of turning up the thermostat, joining a car pool, we can help be good stewards of the riches God has given us. After all, God gave us abundance not to squander, but to cherish.

SPEND SPARINGLY

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The highest form of thinking is prayer. In prayer, you think God’s thoughts after him. You let that “mind be in you, which was also

in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Through prayer, you get sudden insights. You are guided to overcome depressing difficulties. When you open your heart to God’s wisdom, you will find you have within yourself what it takes to stand up to anything!

PRAY

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I pray that the LORDwill listenwhen you

are in trouble,and that the God of Jacob

will keep you safe.May the LORD send help

from his templeand come to your rescue

from Mount Zion.May he remember your gifts

and be pleasedwith what you bring.

May God do what you want mostand let all go well for you.

Then you will win victories,and we will celebrate,

while raising our bannersin the name of our God.May the LORD answer

all of your prayers!

—Psalm 20:1-5

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