Divine Prosperity - Wealth 3.0

Welcome to the Wealthy-Wednesday blog. I'm delighted to say that I'm thoroughly enjoying a Spiritual Renaissance at the moment, a time in my life where so much is making so much more sense - including 'prosperity' and that beautiful word, 'abundance'.

First, just look at the synonyms for 'Renaissance':

revival, renewal, resurrection, reawakening, re-emergence, reappearance, resurgence, rejuvenation, regeneration, rebirth, new birth, new dawn, new beginning; renascence, recrudescence, rejuvenescence - isn't that a beautiful list? Don't those words make you feel great, enlightened, energised?

The reason for this Spiritual Renaissance is the kindness of God and friends. Kindness, Grace, and Compassion are magnificent forces to receive and experience. This blog could be a doorway to these blessings for you too.

Becoming Worldly-Wise

About seven years ago, I began to benefit from meeting Kevin Whelan, the economist who developed, "WealthBuilders, The New Blueprint for Complete Financial Independence In the 21st Century." [The hyperlink will take you to the audio version of Kevin's book, narrated by me. Take Action: If you'd like a pdf copy, let me know today.]

Kevin's insights are broad and deep, so I recommend you connect with him and his right-hand man, Christian Rodwell (Author of, "Sack Your Boss," and founder of the "Escape the Rat Race" meetups) I will, however, highlight the top-level key messages for me:

• Build assets, not liabilities (cf. "Rich Dad; Poor Dad," by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter). Assets compound your wealth - liabilities can compound your debt;
• Build assets in multiple-streams - the seven Kevin recommends being shown in the graphic above.

Knowing Kevin opened a doorway to Guy Musgrave - The Financial Architect, Ann Wilson - The Wealth Chef, Dan Sullivan at Strategic Coach, to the Progressive Propery Network and to the Property Investors Network - property professionals being highly motivated when it comes to building assets.

Here I am with Dan Sullivan, who is coming to London to present on 21st May. Let me know if you'd like to join Dan as my guest. (There are conditions!)

Kevin and I went to Chicago to meet with Gary Klaben, (highly active in Strategic Coach) whose LinkedIn headline speaks volumes: "President at Coyle | Wealth Management Advisor | Financial Planner | Author | Speaker | Mind Mapping Strategist |" - and it was that last element that not only brought Kevin and I together but also took us to the USA.

Gary's team use digital Mind Mapping to manage complex financial portfolios for their clients. Something Kevin and I went to learn too.

This is a mind map using iMindMap, the only mind mapping software endorsed by the creator of Mind Maps, the late Tony Buzan.

Suddenly, two important chapters of my life collided: the professinal trainer role I had played for decades and the more financially literate Lex - because of Kevin's insights

...and the wealth of new relationships I have made through him.

WIIFM

"What's In It For Me?" (Wii.fm) you may be asking.

Great question.

Possibly nothing.

Possibly everything.

It depends upon your willingness to act.

You can research Kevin's finance-changing work throught the link I've provided and by sending me a personal message with a request for the PDF version of his book (which I ghost-wrote for him.) You have access to the benefits of Kevin's insights.

I'd also recommend you connect with Christian Rodwell who is now building the WealthBuilders community.

However, there is nothing financially in that path for me, and I have a new mission that might just excite you. My mission (which could become 'our mission') requires 'margin' to fuel it.

" No margin; no mission."

The Third Way - Wealth 3.0

What if three chapters of my life (or phases) were to collide to our mutual advantage?

"... a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

I have two professionally qualified pathways on my journey so far, and unlike the two paths in Robert Frost's poem which diverged in a yellow wood ("The Road Not Taken," by Robert Frost), my paths have once again converged. There is no road not taken, just the opportunity to walk a new combined path with you going forward. Wealth Tribe.

The third way is my background in Theology. As what they call a 'born-again Christian' - my beliefs are strong and empowering and dripping in abundance. I believe there is a level of wealth that includes, but goes far beyond, that available through wise development of worldly assets. I offer access to wealth of the soul and the spirit as well as material success. I also offer true financial freedom - in the sense that most of the people I meet are slaves to their material wealth, bound by a sense of scarcity and a fear of losing what they've gained.

This is where I need to part company with some of you reading thus far. The rest of this blog is for those who hunger for spiritual wealth. Real wealth.

First, a word to the faithful

The mistake, that so many Christians continue to make, is to despise material wealth. Money is not evil, only the 'love' of money (I Timothy 6:10). In fact, the concept is so central to financial freedom that the 'love of money' warrants a single Greek word all to itself: φιλαργυρ?α - philarguria - meaning, in addition, 'avarice'. Money, is very much 'currency' in this context. It's Cash Flow!

I'd like to make some key points for Christians to consider before we go on to Spiritual Wealth and how this God-kind-of-wealth made Joseph the Prince of Egypt - and head of a Multi-National sustainable organisation.

• 'Religion' (a dirty word to most of us with a genuine faith) is greedy and grasping - and masks its scarcity-mentality in a cloak of concern for the poor. Consider Judas' complaint when a year's worth of salary was 'wasted' on the perfume that Mary poured over Jesus' feet. (See Mark 14; Matthew 26; John 12.)

“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?”

Let's not pretend our concern for the poor - let's do something about it. www.b1g1.com

• Jesus commanded us to be shrewd - like the Unjust Steward (see Luke 16 - a brilliant parable about worldly-wisdom) and to 'use wealth to make friends'!!!

"...the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings."

We are called by Christ, therefore, to be, "shrewd as serpents," and to maintain our state of being, "innocent as doves." (See Matthew 10:16.)

It's time for Christians to 'wise-up' 'Word-up' and be better stewards of planet, people, and plenty!

The Self-Managing Company

The Holy Grail of Entrepreneurialism is what Dan Sullivan of Strategic Coach calls, "The Self-Managing Company." I'm certain Dan would be delighted to discover the concept has Divine endorsement, and that from the very first book in the Bible. Good abundance is where the Good Book begins, and is at the heart of Jesus' own mission (John 10:10):

"I have come that you might have Life, and have it more abundantly."

Many of us have a passing familiarity with the popularised versions of the story of Joseph (he of the technicolour dreamcoat fame!) The real story is far more meaty.

Joseph experienced what the world calls a reversal of fortune on not one but three occasions:

1. Sold into slavery - and that by his family!
2. Sent to prison for a sexual crime he didn't commit!!
3. Left in prison because of ungrateful and forgetful neglect!!!

Joseph wasn't a moaner. He didn't complain. Rather, in whatever circumstance he found himself, he worked at it with all his heart, as if working for God, not for men... and the results were self-managing companies - three times - leading to the biggest corporation on the planet at the time.

1. He became steward of Potiphar's house - the Captain of Pharoah's Guard;
2. He became steward of an elite prison;
3. He become the Prince of Egypt.

I want you to hear and read the words used in the Bible to describe Joseph's success - and the reason for it - and the final state of those he served.

Stage 1: Potiphar - Genesis 39

Chapter 39 "Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there. 2 Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 His master saw that Yahweh was with him, and that Yahweh made all that he did prosper in his hand. 4 Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. Yahweh’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field. 6 He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate."

Let me quote that last part again, because this is how a Self-Managing Company should be for the Entrepreneur who owns it:

"He [Potiphar] didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate."

Stage 2: The Keeper of the Prison - Genesis 39 continues...

Sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit, Joseph stayed entrepreneurially diligent, blessed by YHWH.

20 "Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound, and he was there in custody. 21 But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it. 23 The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because Yahweh was with him; and that which he did, Yahweh made it prosper."

Again let me refocus on the verse that describes a Self-Managing Company:

"The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because Yahweh was with him [Joseph]; and that which he did, Yahweh made it prosper."

Stage 3: The Prince of Egypt - second only to Pharaoh - Genesis 41

Joseph, through God's inspiration, interprets dreams. This results in his eventual freedom, but only after a further two years in the 'pit'. If your life is the 'pits' at the moment, remember Joseph and stay faithful. God has a bigger plan.

Genesis 41

33 “Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s produce in the seven plenteous years. 35 Let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and lay up grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 The food will be for a store to the land against the seven years of famine, which will be in the land of Egypt; that the land not perish through the famine.”

37 The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and according to your word will all my people be ruled. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck, 43 and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without you shall no man lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. [end quote]

I want you to read far more of the passages, but I recognise this is a blog and not a book! However, let me say that Joseph not only gets his freedom, his financial freedom, and relationship freedom (two wives who bring him family freedom), he also gets to save lives - God's bigger plan.

Being worldly-wise, let's highlight a couple of points. First, a financial strategy and 'rule-of-thumb' and, secondly, a further endorsement of the Self-Managing Company (or Nation that became a Multi-National!)

• Joseph's principle of Divine Wisdom was to lay aside 20% in times of abundance as a buffer against times of famine.
• Pharaoh made Joseph second only to himself - and gave him his signet ring, effectively giving him Egypt. As a believer, you and I have been given God's signet ring: the Name of Jesus. Will we be wise like Joseph and use this to save lives?

Happy Endings

When you read the whole account, you'll see that God reconciles Joseph to his complete family and that good comes out of injustice and evil. God is bigger than the World Stage on which we must play out our parts. Have faith.

Genesis 45:5 "...for God sent me before you to preserve life."

Blessings Pour Out to the Whole Family

Because of Joseph's wisdom and position, the end result is that his whole family enjoys safety and abundance in the best of the land... and control Pharoah's livestock. That's BIG business.

Genesis 47

5 Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. 6 The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in the land of Goshen. If you know any able men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.”

Great outcome... but there's more.

In the end, Joseph ends up handing over the whole of Egypt to Pharaoh as his possession and the Divinely Wise principle of 20% becomes the norm:

Genesis 47 continues

Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh. Behold, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. 24 It will happen at the harvests, that you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own, for seed of the field, for your food, for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.”

25 They said, “You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.”

26 Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth.

Conclusions - The Righteously Wealthy

Here's a tough call.

I want to work with Christians who can handle wealth - financial wealth.

Not many people can do this without becoming tainted by the love-of-money.

Jesus is clear - consider these verses from Matthew 19:23-26

Jesus said to his disciples, "Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Wealth is hard to handle... spiritually. Are you one of the few who can hold onto financial abundance loosely?

Consider also the ultimate warning in Mark 8:34-38 (and elsewhere in the Gospels)

He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, "Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.  For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? For what will a man give in exchange for his life? For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Material and monetary wealth is not the goal - it is merely the margin that empowers a more noble, etnernal legacy - to save lives.

To be like Joseph, we must work with all our heart, as for the Lord not for men or women.

Colossians 3:23-24 World English Bible (WEB)

"And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."

Let us lift our attention above our circumstances and take a higher view - a view where, with the Apostle Paul, we can learn the secret of being content in all circumstances.

Philippians 4:11-13

"I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.  I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.  I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

If you're a Christian Entrepreneur who can handle wealth (at all levels: material, emotional, psychological, spiritual), I'd like to collaborate with you in making a difference.

Let's connect.

Let's do stuff.

Good stuff.

Actions

1. Listen to Kevin's book.
2. Let me know today if you want the PDF of his book.
3. Put 20% - a fifth - aside to invest in your future. Do this in good times and hard times.
4. Join me at the Dan Sullivan event on the 21st May (if you are an Entrepreneur).
5. Message me privately if you are a Christian Entrepreneur and want to combine forces to build a Self-Managing Companies.