Faith Based Investing

Am I missing Something?

Gotta love the media.  I just read this story on the news wire about religious voters preferring Obama to McCain.  According to the article: “The poll, which shows Obama ahead of McCain 43 percent to 34 percent among likely voters, also finds Obama leading in 18 of 19 different religious faith communities defined by the survey’s strict standards. McCain leads in only one–evangelicals. In that category, however, the Republican has a huge lead, 61 to 17.”

The article goes on to say that religious voters who vote based on “moral values” prefer Obama over McCain.  Obama was voted the most liberal senator in ALL of the Senate.  My question to you:  Does Obama represent your values?  If so why?  I would love to get a better understanding of what values conscious people would see in him?  My take on Obama is that he is someone who strongly supports abortion rights in all circumstances, homosexual marriage, higher taxes, limiting free speech, opening the doors on embryonic stem cell research..just to name a few.  Please let me know your thoughts…  Am I missing something?

Faith-Based Investing

Now when it comes to investing, what values are most important to you? What issues or causes would you like to make sure you are not supporting in your investment portfolio?  Have you ever thought about this?  Do you want to invest in companies involved in the pornography, abortion, alcohol, tobacco, or any other industries?   There are 3 free chapters of The Faith-Based Millionaire available now on www.jayperoni.com.  Learn more about investing with your faith in mind.  Grab these free chapters while they last!

I just got back from a trip to one of my favorite cities – Chicago, “the Windy City.”  There is so much to do and see from the Zoo and architectural tours to Navy Pier and all the famous ball parks.   This city has something for the young and old. One of the highlights of my trip was listening to, meeting, and speaking with Chris Gardner.  In case you missed the movie The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith, the movie was based off Chris’ true life story.   In the rags to riches book and movie, Gardner’s life is chronicled as we see his long and painful journey from inner-city Milwaukee to ultimate success on Wall Street. Now at the ripe age of 54, Chris can look back at his life and laugh.

Growing up life was no joke:  he grew up poor and fatherless.  This life ignited a passion within him to break the cycle of deadbeat dads.  After a brief stint in the Navy, a failed medical career, and a tough sales job in the medical devices industry, Chris eventually landed his first job on Wall Street.  If the story ended there, it would be simple.  Chris’s story became increasingly complex as he almost simultaneously became a father and homeless at the same time.  His ability to rise from poverty to multi-millionaire is what makes his story so unique.

In The Faith-Based Millionaire, I talk about finding that burning inner passion needed to make changes in your life.  If you do not have motivation, you will not change. Chris found the inner passion because he wanted his son to know his daddy. He wanted to break the cycle and find a way not only to make ends meet but provide a different life for his child. Becoming broke; homeless, fighting for your next meal, moving from homeless shelter to shelter, and caring for a 14 month old while working 70 hour work weeks will quickly help you find the inner passion.

What is it going to take for you? How do you find your inner passion? People who achieve great things often do so because they have a good idea of where they want to be. Think of some of the most successful people you know. Did they get where they are today because of luck? Or because of hard work and knowing what they wanted and where they wanted to go?

Many people have a dream life that they would love to see come to fruition, but often they sell themselves short. They have preconceived notions that to get what they want in life will be too hard and too much work. Have you ever looked at someone who emulated what you wanted for yourself and thought it could never happen to you? If there were no constraints and you could simply make it happen overnight, you would most likely do what it takes to make it happen. Your goals must be compelling and motivating enough to get you excited about achieving them. They must be powerful enough that you think about them constantly. This includes trying to live your ideal life: where you work or volunteer, what activities you participate in, what charities you support, and any other personal goals. These goals should be specific and easily defined. They should be tangible so you can feel, touch, see, smell, and hear them. They should excite all of your senses and drive you toward success.

In order to create the vision, you will need to uncover exactly what excites you. This involves a self-assessment. By examining how God designed you, it is easier to look around at all the opportunities that are right in front of you. You need to make success the only option

When I look at helping a client create a vision or plan for their financial future, I advise them to focus on five important steps that need to take place for success to happen:

1. Clearly define your beliefs and values.

2. Identify your interests and passions.

3. Define your financial purpose.

4. Learn from past mistakes.

5. Take responsibility for your actions.

In the hope that Gardner’s story will inspire others to achieve financial independence and to take greater responsibility for the welfare of their families; I pray that his story will awaken the passion within you.  You may or may not be struggling financially but you can always improve upon your results.   Don’t just go through the motions in life.  Work hard, find a motivation for change, and strive to leave this world a better place than when you were born.

Do you believe just because you are a Christian and have a need, God will always intervene supernaturally? If so, this is an incorrect assumption. Look at the world around us. Many Christians are in need and go without help every day. There is a line between what you can do on your own and what God can help you with.

After obeying God’s principles and reaching the end of your abilities, God provides supernatural assistance apart from anything you could ever do on your own. Even when we defy God’s Word, He is a loving and graceful God that still intervenes as an act of mercy. We should not expect this, but know that He is always there.

Are you struggling financially? Are you finding it difficult to make ends meet in this troubled economy? Have no fear, rely on God’s strength. His supernatural power can take you places you would never reach on your own.

Supernatural is that which occurs beyond what is natural. This phenomenon is above natural laws and beyond verifiable measures. This occurs once we have maximized natural laws – our abilities. Many Christians pray for financial miracles, but instead should be praying for God to provide opportunities. Miracles are not necessary in order to achieve natural success. This form of success comes when you apply God’s principles to your finances. The supernatural is only necessary when you are limited in your natural abilities. You can do more than you are currently doing. Don’t use God as a crutch, use Him to propel and maximize your strengths and help you overcome your weaknesses.

Remember when Jesus was faced with a dilemma of how to feed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish? God supernaturally multiplies the loaves and the fish so that not only is everyone fed, but food is left over. God intervenes when needed. Is there anything in your financial life where you have done the best you can but your best is not enough and you want God to step in and perform a miracle for you? This is a good time to trust Him for supernatural assistance. How do you tap into God’s supernatural assistance when it comes to your finances?

The keys to tapping into God’s supernatural assistance are:

1. Maximize your natural ability – Do all that you know to do. Seek wise counsel when you get stuck. If you lack knowledge, find someone who has experience and knowledge. Do the best you can and trust God for what you cannot do. Need financial help? Seek a faith-based financial planner. Go to www.kingdomadvisors.org or www.nacfc.com to find a qualified advisor. Read The Faith-Based Millionaire. Learn all you can about finances so you can become a wiser steward.

2. Live a life that glorifies God – How can you expect God to supernaturally assist you when your life contradicts His principles?

3. Obey God’s instructions on giving – If you are not tithing and generous with money how do you expect God to show you mercy or bless you?

4. Pray and seek Him always – There are certain walls we hit that cannot be moved without a commitment to prayer and seeking God. Prayer enables you to release everything to God and tap into His power. He is able to help you beyond human comprehension. Seeking Him and communicating with Him is essential.

Are you in need of a financial miracle? Whatever your circumstances or situation, ensure that you are actively incorporating these four areas into your financial life. Do all you can, seek wise counsel, and trust God for supernatural assistance to aid you in realizing the goals you trust Him with.

Monopoly, one of the most popular boardgames in the world, has always been one of my favorite games.  Oh the thrill of conquering the world: creating a large empire, collecting rents from those who do “not know how to play the game”. It is always a dog-eat dog, competitive, hold nothing back, macho game of strategy.    When we get in trouble, we all wish that we could use that “Get of Jail Free” card every once and a while. If only life was as simple as playing a game of Monopoly with someone who didn’t know what they were doing.   Business would be unfair. The rules of life would be unfair.   The ways of the world would be…wait, exactly like they are.

Life is rarely ever fair.  Some people seem to prosper while others seem to fail.  Most settle for mediocrity.  It is the accepted norm.  In a lot of industries, even if you are average, you succeed.  We even ask questions assuming we are average.  “What is the average pay” asks the ambitious salesman.  “What is the average return” asks the enthusiastic investor.  What was the average grade on the exam, the student wonders in anticipation. Average, average, average.  Why are we so obsessed with averages and settle for being average?

What if ordinary people could produce extraordinary results?  It is not only feasible, it is completely possible if we all opened our minds and believed in ourselves.   We may be good, honest, hard working, moral, ethical, and God obeying, yet still fail financially.  Why is this so?

Despite what some believe, money is not a reward for good behavior.  If money were the reward for good behavior, wouldn’t Mother Teresa have made Donald Trump look like a street beggar?  World wealth can be a blessing, but it is not earned in God’s eyes.  You can look to the world’s rich, poor, and middle classes to see that there are the good, bad, and ugly!  However God loves everyone despite our failures.

God did not create you to be average.  You should hate mediocrity and hunger for excellence!  Do all to glorify God.  You are His masterpiece and He expects great things from you.  Are you living the financial life God intended for you?  If not, I will be releasing The Faith-Based Millionaire shortly.  This book will help you find the answers to help you incorporate your faith into your financial plan.  Get ready to take the next step and live the financial life He intended for you!