HOLISTIC PREPARATION FOR LIFE& MARRIAGE Pt.4

FINANCIAL PREPARATION

Financial preparation is key to living a comfortable life. There's no dream or vision that can be achieved without it. The bible says, "A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything"( Eccl 10:19). Aside love, money runs marriage. As a single, as you prepare for marriage, you don't neglect your financial life. It may not matter to you now but in marriage, it will become a crucial matter. There are some young folks who so much love luxury. They know the latest cars in town and they like designers. Their desire for life is grandiose but most of them are not prepared financially neither are they taking steps to achieve their desire. Often, people in this category resort to ungodly ways of making money. I have seen laziness at its peak in the lives of some especially men. How can someone wake up in the morning and be comfortable doing nothing all day other than to press phone and gist around in the neighbourhood? I've been around for sometime and I can tell that there are guys who want to live off people and rip them. They neither work nor make plans to learn a craft yet they love good life. Always looking for hardworking ladies to marry to secure their financial lot. They're physically and mentally lazy. If you tell such persons to build their financial life gradually from the scratch by starting small, they may tell you they want to start with six figure salary.

Dearest, the starting point in financial preparation is work. The bible is clear on this: "Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat”(2 These 3:10). If I may add, those unwilling to work should not marry. Stop praying for blessings when your hands are doing nothing. The promise of blessings is predicated upon the work of your hands. If you do nothing, God will bless nothing. I am of the opinion that no church should join a man that is not working to a sister in marriage. Even if the earnings are little, it is better than doing nothing at all. That counsel may sound harsh especially to some ladies who feel time is no longer on their side and just want to marry quickly but the reality often dawn on them in marriage. Some of the marital challenges Pastors deal with are related to this aspect of life. The bible says, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel"( 1 Tim 5:8). While in courtship, if you notice laziness in any form, it may be a red flag. This applies on both sides. Sisters, you don't need to marry a man that is "super rich", however the basic elements that points to financial readiness must be in place. This counsel is rare but I'm convinced you must hear it. That's why it is good you're under a pastor who is not emotionally attached to you to the point of hiding vital truths from you.

Getting financial education is another vital point to note in preparing for life financially. As a single, this is the time to invest in quality financial education. Qualitative financial education will teach you how to make money, multiply it and manage it for judicious use. If you don't know these things, start learning them now. Invest in books and seminars that will be beneficial to you in this area. This is the best time of your life to be enterprising and to lay the foundation for multiple streams of income. Develop the right attitude to money. Stop spending on impulse and be responsible with money. Some folks show gross financial irresponsibility by borrowing and not repaying while some spend on pleasure only at the expense of other important things. If your financial goal is to spend on things that don't add value on long term, you need to reset your goals. The journey to learning about money should start now so as to avoid future problems.