One of the best Ted Talks I ever heard was about focusing on the why. Rather than the how and the what, the why was and is the most crucial component to whatever it is we are trying to achieve. It’s a concept I haven’t forgotten, even after several years since first hearing it, it’s one I’ve tried to consistently keep at the forefront of my mind when facing different decisions.
When dealing with money, there are so many variations to that question:
Why build a budget?
Why pay off debt?
Why give money away?
Why buy that car, house, etc.?
There will always be financial decisions to make and seemingly limitless options of how to spend our money and what to spend it on. But when we ask ourselves “why?”, we immediately get to the heart of the matter. The why reveals our intentions, our desires and our motives. It’s the very reason we do what we do.
Strangely enough, I’ve been asking myself “why?” for as long as I can remember. In my mind, I always want things to make sense. If you’re logical and analytical like me, you get it. You ask “why?” too.
So when it comes to fiscal responsibility, “why?” is a great question to ask. Sure, we can be careless with money. Sometimes we don’t give it a second thought when making a purchase or signing up for a credit card, for example. But the stance we should take when considering different financial choices is to ask ourselves that question. Is it a wise decision to do a, b, or c? Why do it now, later, or even at all? At the end of the day, does your why make sense?
Take a look at the financial goals you set for this year. Did you consider your why? If not, take a moment and ask yourself that important question. Or if we haven’t even written down any financial goals yet, it may be time to find a pen.
A few of my goals are to pay down debt, save more, and give more. How I will do this is important, but not as much as the why. And the same applies to you. Remember, the why exposes the real reason behind the decision.
For me, when it comes to debt, I don’t want to be enslaved to the lender. Borrowing money doesn’t exactly create warm and fuzzy feelings, does it? It’s unsettling knowing the money paid to interest could be used for better purposes. Overall, debt limits resources and is the opposite of freedom.
And when it comes to saving, who wouldn’t want to be prepared when the unthinkable happens? Whether it be a short-term emergency or a long-term issue due to failing health, job loss, etc., I want to be prepared.
Lastly, giving money to those in need, sharing possessions with others and tithing are all things that I am entrusted to do as a Christ-follower. After all, anything we have is not actually ours, but rather God-given. And at the very least, my response would be to give with an open wallet, because of what He has done for me.
In closing, one of my favorite authors, Lysa TerKeurst, puts it simply from her latest book, “Your whys have made you wise.” I hope this is true for you today.