S4 Ep 7: How Awareness of the Future Can Influence our Money Conversations

Simon and Bex discuss how an awareness of the future can have a positive influence on our conversations about money.Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:Simon and Bex introduce the episode by talking about the individual goals that they feel that God has placed on their hearts and how important these are to them. [01:43]They then go on to discuss what contribution money can make to the efforts that we each make to fulfil our goals and what that might look like in practice. [04:52]Bex comments that each of us faces a challenge in trying to establish an appropriate balance between effective stewardship and living generously; Simon suggests that people are likely to respond to this issue in different ways, and what is most important is for each person to develop their own response through a process of hearing from God regarding what is right for them individually. [07:48]When it comes to putting into practice the personal principles that we have established, Simon suggests that, for much of the time, it can be a case of simply using the godly common sense, discernment and responsiveness that we each tend to develop over time if we are following the Lord sincerely and are interacting meaningfully with other Christians. [12:02] It is also noted, however, that it is very easy to over-commit or to end up being pulled in several different directions. For that reason, it can be very important to be rigorous and pragmatic in our decision-making processes. [15:05]Various suggestions are made about how we can start to respond practically to the challenge of managing our money effectively to support a long-term goal that God has put on our hearts. It is noted that, rather than being a solo undertaking, it can have all kinds of benefits to join with others in pursuit of such objectives. [18:45]Simon stresses the importance of taking action and getting started, even if that is at a very modest level or is in combination with others. [24:03] He also highlights the benefits of ensuring that we have conversations about money on an ongoing basis. [26:37]The final episode of the ‘Money Conversations’ season will consider how we can deal with the challenges that arise when we try to have conversations about money. [27:50]<br/>Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast. This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting. You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.