As we prepared for a financial presentation, we encountered some soul-searching questions from Dr. Olumide Emmanuel that challenged us to think deeply about our financial standing. Let me ask you the same:
- Do you know your financial net worth?
- Are you satisfied with your current financial state?
- Do you have enough savings to cover six months of expenses?
- Do you have a well-documented financial goal?
- Do you regularly keep track of your income and expenses?
If you found yourself answering “no” to many of these, don’t worry. You are not alone. Financial restoration starts with awareness, and that’s where the journey begins. In this article, I’ll share the financial principles I call CASH—Control, Attitude, Savings, and Heritage—paired with powerful stories that will both inspire and equip you. You’ll also find deeper insights in our books, such as The Magnitude of the Minute and Riches and Relationships, which I’ll reference throughout.
- Control: The Power of Tracking Every Coin
I remember when my husband and I were newlyweds. He had this habit of collecting every coin we received as change from the supermarket, while I used to dismiss the small one-shilling coins as not worth the effort. He created a small box in the house to store them. At first, I barely noticed the pile growing. But one day, when we were strapped for cash, my husband pulled out the box. To my surprise, those “insignificant” coins amounted to 2,000 shillings. I watched in awe as he walked to the supermarket and exchanged them for crisp bills.
That moment taught me a valuable lesson: small things matter. You cannot control what you do not measure. Like the woman in Luke 15 who swept her entire house to find her lost coin, we must account for every cent because even what seems small can make a big difference when put together.
In our book, The Magnitude of the Minute, we explore this principle in greater depth. There’s power in knowing exactly what you have. To help you control your spending, I recommend tracking every expense, and with today’s technology, you can do this seamlessly through apps. Find one that works for you and start managing your finances daily.
- Attitudes: Shattering Limiting Beliefs
Our beliefs shape our financial realities. I’ve seen this firsthand, especially among women who believe that only their husbands should handle financial decisions. I once met a woman who had enough money to build a house, yet she and her children were sleeping in a leaky shack because she felt building was “a man’s job.” This limiting mindset kept her in hardship when she had the means to change her situation.
Then, there’s the belief that poverty is somehow virtuous. I remember a friend who, despite her hard work and intelligence, struggled with the idea that pursuing wealth would make her less “godly.” These misconceptions are often rooted in a misinterpretation of scripture. However, if you look closely at the Bible, you’ll see that many of the patriarchs were blessed not only spiritually but materially. Wealth is not inherently evil—it’s the love of money that leads us astray.
In Riches and Relationships, we delve into these limiting attitudes, urging readers to adopt a mindset that embraces both financial and spiritual growth. True prosperity involves balancing your wealth-building efforts with integrity and wisdom.
- Savings and Investments: The Principle of Diversification
The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 offers profound lessons on savings and investments. The master gave different amounts of money to his servants and expected them to multiply it. What this teaches us is simple: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. One of the most important principles I’ve learned is that you must diversify your savings and investments.
A close friend once saved her entire nest egg in a single account, only for the bank to collapse, leaving her devastated. Had she diversified, she wouldn’t have lost everything. Likewise, investing in just one stock, one business, or one property can be risky. Spread your resources—land, currency, stocks, and even banks.
One powerful moment in my own financial journey was when I had to supervise a family investment. I had no prior experience with handling such large sums, but I knew that leaving it unsupervised would lead to disaster. I learned the value of close oversight and accountability, just like the master in the parable who returned to ask for an accounting.
In Riches and Relationships, we outline detailed steps on how to diversify and protect your wealth. Don’t be afraid to reassess your investments. And if something isn’t performing well, it’s okay to let it go, just as the master redistributed the servant’s talent.
- Heritage: Building a Legacy That Lasts
What do you want to leave behind? Proverbs 13:22 tells us that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. But that inheritance isn’t just financial—it includes values, wisdom, and relationships.
I’ll never forget the moment a client shared her deep regret about the time she lost with her children while pursuing her career. She had poured herself into building her wealth, but in the process, her children had grown distant. When her youngest called the nanny “Mom” instead of her, it broke her heart. No amount of money could buy back the lost time.
Building a legacy is about more than just money—it’s about passing on the right values, habits, and love to future generations. In Riches and Relationships, we talk about the different types of wealth—spiritual, emotional, and relational—that are just as important as financial inheritance.
Financial Restoration: The Story of the Widow and Her Oil
One of my favorite stories of financial restoration comes from 2 Kings 4. A widow, deep in debt after her husband’s death, was about to lose her children to slavery. In her desperation, she sought help from the prophet Elisha. His response was simple: “What do you have in your house?”
At first, she dismissed what little she had—a small jar of oil. But that oil became the key to her financial restoration. She borrowed vessels from her neighbors, and the oil kept flowing until every jar was full. What’s remarkable about this story is how relationships, resources, and recognizing reversals played a role in her recovery.
- Relationships: The widow had built trust with her neighbors, who gladly lent her their vessels. Your financial restoration often hinges on the relationships you maintain.
- Reversals: Life can take unexpected turns—debt, doubt, and even death. But as the widow’s story shows, when you are prepared and open to help, your fortunes can reverse for the better.
- Resources: Sometimes, the very thing you need for your breakthrough is already in your possession. Like the widow’s oil, what resources are you overlooking that could be the key to your financial restoration?
For a more in-depth look at how these principles apply to your life, explore the story in our book Riches and Relationships. There, you’ll find practical steps to discovering the hidden resources around.
By implementing the principles of CASH—Control, Attitude, Savings, and Heritage—you can take control of your financial future and build a legacy that lasts. If you’re ready to dive deeper into these concepts, our books The Magnitude of the Minute and Riches and Relationships offer even more guidance and practical wisdom. Remember, financial restoration is not just about wealth; it’s about living a balanced, purposeful life where relationships, health, and spiritual wealth are just as important as money.