Creating More Value Than You Consume

As a citizen of these United States the goal is to create more value than you consume.

It is amazing how many people do not view their life from a contribution mind set. They have a consumption mentality. What can I get verses what can I give.

If you want to thrive in farming or any other occupation you need to produce value.

This Money Monday we are going to look two examples of value on the production side and on the input side.

The Year of Contentment

One of keys to the financial success of every family is contentment, which is one of the most powerful financial principles in our lives.

I Timothy 6:6-8 says, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain..."

Let's start off the New Year by considering five principles of contentment...

Should the Church Borrow

The topic of church borrowing comes up at strategic times of growth and change. The Bible is clear on what the path should be...don't borrow.

Below are links to Bible Studies on my website in support of this teaching.

Pickup Trucks and Business Success

I have come to believe that success and failure in farming may be tied to the pickup truck the farmer drives.

You mean if you choose Ford over Chevy you may fail? No I'm thinking more about buying an expensive truck versus a good used truck no matter what the brand. Especially in the early years of building your farming business.

Not saying I'm perfect, but here is what we have done over 35 years of farming. I offer this for your consideration.

The Measurement Stick

Remember when you were little and mom or dad had you stand by the door to the closet in your bedroom and measured your height. This became a measure of progress for your growth. Your siblings were likely recorded in the same spot.

This may have been the first time you encountered the measuring stick, but it certainly wasn't the last.

Here are some other examples...

How to Be Rich

Andy Stanley has written a book with the title "How to be Rich" based on 1 Timothy 6:17 where it says, "Command those who are rich in this present world..."

I hadn't read the book yet but I got to thinking that compared to many people we are rich in this present world.

Did you know that if you make $48,000 a year, you are in the top 1% of the wage earners in the world.  The average income in Olmstead county is $62,000 per year. I'll bet you didn't even know that most of you are a "one percenter".

What difference does this make. Here are three reasons this is important...

Contentment

Contentment is one of the most powerful finanical principles in our lives. If we have learned to be content, it will be easier to understand and accept our position as the manager of what we have been given. This doesn't mean we need to be hands off on money issues. Contentment helps us focus on our goals for money and to resist temptation to overspend or borrow.

Here are four signs of discontentment...