Man and His Money

Opening Scriptures

Proverbs 20:21 – "An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end."
Proverbs 13:11 – "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."
Proverbs 10:22 – "The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it."
Proverbs 10:23 – "Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding."

Introduction: The Foundation of Financial Wisdom

Key Truth: Success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do, you will be successful.

Food for Thought: If you earned your current income for the rest of your life, would you become rich, financially independent, or remain broke?

The road to financial independence does not begin with how much you earn—it begins with what passes through your hands.

Three Foundations for Every Man:

1. Wisdom – Seeing your situation and declaring "I won't live like this"

2. Discipline – Managing what comes into your hands

3. Proper Planning – Having a roadmap out of poverty

Key Insight: Poverty is not an absence of money—it is an absence of a roadmap or an absence of the resolve to change your situation.

Core Principle: Financial Stewardship

What Leadership Wants Every Man to Understand:

• Every salary, income, and business revenue comes from God—we will give an account

• Savings is not a lack of faith; it is wisdom

• Budgeting is essential

• Avoiding consumer debt is crucial

• Generous giving is an act of wisdom

Point 1: A Man and His Money – Savings

Proverbs 6:6-8 – "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest."

Key Insight: The ant saves through wisdom without being told—when plenty is available, it prepares for scarcity.

Biblical Example:

• Joseph (Genesis 41) – Saved grain for seven years of famine. This was not foolishness but wisdom and obedience.

If you save, you are wise. The fool consumes everything he gets.

A Man Who Saves Is Obeying God – The Bible admonishes us to learn from the ant.

The 10-10-60-20 Rule (Every Man's Financial Blueprint)

Emergency Fund Challenge for Every Man: Can you access 2,000 Ghana Cedis today without borrowing from anyone?

Best Practice for Men:

• Open a separate savings account with:

  • No ATM card

  • No mobile money connection

  • No online banking access

  • A standing order from your salary account for 10%

Personal Testimony: The speaker set up a 1,000 Cedis standing order for a pension plan and accumulated over 100,000 Cedis in 5 years.

Point 2: A Man and His Money – Debt

"Debt is a master, not a tool."

The Consumer Debt Trap for Men:

• Buying on impulse—earrings, clothes, slippers

• End-of-month pressure with multiple creditors

• Borrowing for consumption, not investment

WARNING: Government workers and men in institutions are especially vulnerable to this trap.

Personal Example: Spent over 2,000 Cedis on wedding attire worn only once because of poor tailoring!

When Debt Is Acceptable for a Man:

• Buying a house (you have 1 million, borrow 500,000 to complete)

• Building a house in stages

• Starting a business

When Debt Is Dangerous:

• Consumer loans for school fees, clothes, or other consumables

Wisdom for School Fees (Practical Strategy):

• If fees are 600 Cedis every 4 months, save 150 Cedis monthly

• By fee time, you'll have 600 Cedis available

• Most schools allow payment in installments

Banking Industry Insight: Men often take loans for consumption without realizing the long-term consequences.

Point 3: A Man and His Money – Inheritance

Proverbs 13:22 – "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children."

Inheritance Includes:

1. Financial Wealth – Assets, property, savings

2. Discipline – The habits and character we model

3. Opportunities – A good name opens doors

4. Integrity – The legacy of a righteous life

Personal Story: A lady in the US planned to leave $500,000 for each child—she understood the biblical principle of leaving an inheritance.

Practical Truth for Men: Some men can make one phone call and get someone a job—not because of money, but because of the integrity and purpose they've lived.

"A good name is better than riches."

A Man Must Leave:

• A name

• Opportunity

• Financial wealth

• Discipline

Point 4: A Man and His Money – Budgeting

Luke 14:28 – "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

Jesus Himself taught planning! Budgeting is not bondage.

Simple Budgeting Method for Every Man

Month 1: Record Only

• Write down EVERY expense

• Tithes, offerings, food, rent, gifts

• Just collect data—don't restrict anything

Month 2: Record Again

• Identify patterns and trends

• Notice recurring expenses (e.g., "I buy pizza every Sunday")

• Do a "trend analysis"

Month 3: Create Budget

• Cut out non-essentials

• Apply the 10-10-60-20 rule

• Stay within the 60% expenditure cap

Smart Savings Strategies for Men

The "December Club":

• Save 500 Cedis weekly

• Cash out in December

• Add windfalls (travel allowances, unexpected gifts, bonuses)

• Personal Testimony: 38,000 Cedis from 500 weekly savings in one year!

The Smart Wardrobe Strategy:

• Buy clothes in 6-month cycles

• Stretch wear over time

• Save 2,000 Cedis monthly for clothes

• People think you're always wearing fresh clothes!

Point 5: A Man and His Money – Giving

"Giving is a pathway to financial freedom."

Malachi 3:10 – "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse... and see if I will not open the windows of heaven."
Mark 12:41-44 – The widow's offering—giving sacrificially.

Key Truth: You cannot have financial freedom without being a giver.

Warning: Anyone who is not a giver is greedy. Greed and stinginess do not lead to blessing.

Personal Testimony: A friend on campus always paid for meals when he could. He was the first to get employment after graduation and is now a regional manager at Vodafone. His generosity was a key to his blessing.

A Man and His Money Must Reflect:

1. Wisdom – Saving and planning (like the ant)

2. Discipline – Avoiding debt and overspending

3. Generosity – Tithing and giving

Balanced View: It is not wrong to help extended family members in genuine need. Don't let fear of being taken advantage of prevent you from blessing others.

Conclusion: Money Is a Test for Every Man

Matthew 25 (Parable of the Talents):

• One received 5 talents, another 2, another 1

• The one who buried his talent had it taken away

• The faithful stewards were entrusted with more

"If you are faithful with little, God will entrust you with much."

Action Steps for Every Man:

1. Start a budget today

2. Cultivate a savings habit

3. Give generously

4. Watch God move

Life Application Questions for Every Man

1. Emergency Fund

• Do you have an emergency fund?

• If not, what is your plan to start one?

• Goal: 6 months' salary in reserve

2. Debt Assessment

• List all your debts

• Which ones can you pay off within 90 days?

• Goal: Live within your means

3. Budget Evaluation

• Do you have a written monthly budget?

• If not, what is stopping you?

• Goal: Create and follow a budget

4. Tithing

• Are you tithing faithfully?

• Truth: Poor budgeting will always affect your tithe

5. One Financial Habit to Change

• What is one financial habit you must change this month?

• Goal: Deliberately plan to become financially independent

Closing Challenge for Men

"Money is a test. Start today. Budget, save, give, and watch God move."

Mental Health Connection: A man without money faces stress and shame (e.g., hiding in the toilet to avoid school fees discussions). Deliberate financial planning prevents this.

Final Encouragement: These simple habits, when taken care of, shall be well with us.

Scripture References for Further Study

1. Proverbs 6:6-8 – The ant and savings

2. Proverbs 10:22 – The blessing of the Lord makes rich

3. Proverbs 13:11 – Wealth gathered over time

4. Proverbs 13:22 – Leave inheritance for children's children

5. Proverbs 20:21 – Inheritance claimed too soon

6. Genesis 41 – Joseph's seven-year savings plan

7. Luke 14:28 – Counting the cost

8. Malachi 3:10 – Tithes and offering

9. Mark 12:41-44 – The widow's offering

10. Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the talents