Your Money

By Ralph Moore and Alan Tang

Everyone struggles with money at some point in their lives. Sometimes the problems run so deep that people mistakenly believe that "Money is the root of all evil." Nothing could be farther from the truth. Money is amoral--it is neither moral nor immoral. "The love of money," however, "is the root of all kinds of evil." Hopefully you are free, or will find financial freedom through the pages of this book. We wrote with three purposes in mind: To provide an understanding of money and its value as a medium for exchanging time and energy between individuals. To equip the reader with tools to get out of debt, build a nest egg, and operate a realistic budget with it roots in faith toward God. To provide a spiritual and philosophical basis for achieving true financial freedom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Nov 13, 2003
• ISBN: 9781441224262

Ralph Moore

Ralph Moore was born in Illinois and was raised in a state orphanage: the ISSCS, in Normal. He worked his way through college to a B.A. and M.A., was drafted into the army for a two-year stint in Germany, worked a number of years in city and regional planning in the U.S., and in Peru, and then returned to academic studies, earning a Ph.D. He taught a bit in the U.S. and then two years at several Mexican universities. He now devotes time to his own interests: reading and writing. Never got rich, but learned a lot — always aiming at higher and higher levels.

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© 2003 Ralph Moore and Alan Tang

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Previously published by Regal Books

Ebook edition created 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-2426-2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Other versions used are:

KJV—King James Version. Authorized King James Version.

NIV—Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

NKJV—Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover and interior design by Robert Williams

Edited by Judith Couchman

PRAISE FOR

YOUR MONEY

I have spent most of my professional life encouraging and helping people achieve financial freedom. This book is a further help for anyone who desires to honor our Lord with the resources that He has entrusted to us. I enthusiastically recommend Your Money.

RON BLUE

RON BLUE AND ASSOCIATES

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

A quick read and a real how-to book—simple, instructive, practical and biblical, with good solid counsel for those new or old in the faith. Even with a financial background and a long-held belief in tithing, I found there was a lot I could learn from Your Money.

PAUL HANSON

PRESIDENT, THE MARTIN PRESS

TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA

One of the most impacting and practical financial road maps I have ever read. A clear path through the world’s moral, spiritual and financial minefields. Congratulations to the authors, who deliver the truth about money and how anyone can successfully exchange selfish desires for God’s perfect plan that promises to bless each aspect of our lives—financial and otherwise.

ALAN HAUGE

PRESIDENT, GMT STUDIOS

CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA

Every church faces the resource challenge. I can think of no better plan than equipping people to achieve financial freedom. Your Money equips people with the tools they need to get out of debt, build a retirement nest egg and operate on a realistic budget, with God as their guide.

DAREN LAWS

FOUNDING PASTOR, HERITAGE CHURCH

ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA

Ralph Moore and Alan Tang articulate the biblical principles from God’s Word that you need to attain financial freedom. Ignore them and you may become a slave to either your wealth or your poverty.

AL MARTIN, CCIM

MARTIN COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

AUSTIN, TEXAS

A pleasure to read, like a personal letter from a close friend who has your best interest in mind. Practical in nature, the philosophy and financial lessons flow easily together to put you at ease. Something for everyone—from those who are newly acquainted with the issues to those with sophisticated knowledge. Living in the full blessings of God is the main objective of this contribution to the Church. Everyone should have several copies in their library for gifts to family and friends.

MARK SIMON

PRESIDENT, WESTERN STUDIO SERVICE, INC.

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA

Your Money is true to its promise. Inside the pages of this timely book is freedom from one of life’s constant worries: money. The authors have given us a fresh treasure chest of wisdom from God’s Word and personal experience that opens the doorway to authentic, financial peace of mind. Their words, simply put: the richest person anywhere is the one who wants the least. The ageless principles of contentment with less, aggressive savings and hard work make this a must-read for our emerging young culture.

DOUG SLAYBAUGH

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PURPOSE DRIVEN MINISTRIES

LAKE FOREST, CALIFORNIA

Plain talk; simple truth. That’s what people are looking for in a day of financial bondage and information overload. With Your Money, Ralph Moore and Alan Tang deliver a book packed with wisdom and practical advice told from a real-world perspective but with eyes fixed firmly on God. Learn all you can.

DAN WOODS

NEWSPAPER EDITOR, HONOLULU ADVERTISER

HONOLULU, HAWAII

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Endorsements

Introduction

Achieving Financial Freedom

ALTERING YOUR VIEWPOINT

Chapter One

What Is Money Anyway?

Chapter Two

Working for a New Boss

Chapter Three

Adjusting Your Work Mentality

Chapter Four

God’s Prosperity Plan

TRANSFORMING YOUR HABITS

Chapter Five

Escaping the Debt Trap

Chapter Six

Changing Your Money Habits

Chapter Seven

Planning Your Finances

Chapter Eight

Living Generously

Final Thoughts

Get, Save, Give

APPENDIXES

Worksheet A

Current Financial Status

Worksheet B

Monthly Expense Log

Worksheet C

New Monthly Budget

Worksheet D

Financial Statement

Endnotes

Back Cover

Sean unlocked his front door to the shock of a lifetime: A life-hardened man sitting in the living room and pointing a gun shouted, I want my money. Now!

An old debt had finally come calling. Sean could hardly swallow, and his hands trembled so badly that he dropped a bag of groceries. His brain scrambled to find the right words—something that might save his life. And he prayed, hard.

Before Sean accepted Christ as his Savior, he had worked as a runner shuttling illicit drugs between Latin America and the United States. The man with the gun had been his boss. Sean owed him big money.

I’m with the Lord now . . . I’m a Christian, sputtered Sean. I’ve been clean for over a month. I’m trying to sell my house, so I can pay you back.

The drug boss examined Sean’s eyes. Satisfied that the addict had kicked his drug habit, the boss offered one more smuggling expedition. If Sean would make the run, he could square the account completely. Sean thought for a minute, wondering if the man would kill him. With the gun still pointed steadily at him, Sean replied, No deal.

The man lowered his gun and said, I’m real happy to see you straight. Congratulations on being with the Lord. He headed for the door. I’ll wait for the house to sell.

When somebody owes big money to a man with a gun, he thinks hard about financial freedom.

Sean lost his income and sold the house. He’s now virtually penniless, but he’s thrilled about his freedom from debt. Dead broke is better than just plain dead.

DEFINING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

The Bible describes financial freedom in these terms: Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6, KJV). Those words define Sean. But what about us? How do we define financial freedom?

The answer probably depends on money supply. Maybe we have just opened a new business and can’t get the cash flow to match the overhead; financial freedom would mean bridging that gap. Or perhaps financial freedom translates to a restaurant dinner once a week without guilt or getting the brakes fixed on an old car. Some would feel free if they saved and invested instead of worrying about stretching cash to the next payday. Others would experience freedom by paying off creditors gained from having run up credit cards.

Maybe we think that like billionaire J.