Show me the Money

Kevin Davidson

In the movie, Jerry Maguire, a slick sports agent, Jerry, makes a tough moral decision to switch from the greedy and dishonest attitude found extensively in the sports management business to one that values people, loyalty and fairness. As a result he loses his job and ends up in the now famous shouting match, "Show me the money,” with his only remaining client. 

When we step back and look at our own financial decisions in the past, in the present and into the future, what are these decisions saying to us and our children? If you haven’t noticed, our habits, behaviors and attitudes toward money have a huge impact on the next generation and according to Nathan Dungan of Share Save Spend, children today spend five times more money than their parents did at the same age. (And that’s adjusted for inflation.)

What is at the root of how we ultimately spend money? Is it our belief system? And if it is, who do we really believe owns the money? The Lord reminds us in Deuteronomy. 8:17-18, "… remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” In 1 Chronicles 29:14, King David says, "… Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

In his book, The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn lists six attitudes or beliefs that affect our money management decisions:

• Unbelief – we don’t believe that God can and will provide for our needs, so we tend to hoard our money instead of giving it away
• Insecurity – if we give something away, there will not be enough for ourselves
• Pride – we are the source of our provision instead of God
• Idolatry – material things become idols when we value them so much that we don’t use and give them according to God’s purposes
• Power/control – we refuse to acknowledge God’s ownership and use money for selfish purposes instead of kingdom purposes
• Home – we believe the illusion that earth is our home.

Does our belief about who owns the money have a direct influence on how we manage it? I think so.

I remember some excellent financial advice my wife and I received during our pre-marriage counseling – give 10%, save 10% and spend the rest. The percentages are not the issue; spending the money is not the issue. It’s about what we value most. I know if I didn’t intentionally manage my finances in this way, the giving would be at the end and there wouldn’t be anything left. When our hearts come to terms with the fact that God is the source of our finances, our money management decisions become a lot clearer and simpler. If you don’t believe me, just ask my wife.

2010 is a new year to "Show me the money”. The million dollar question is, who is "me” going to be?

Kevin Davidson is a stewardship consultant at the Calgary, Alberta office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC).  For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca.