2nd Principle of Biblical Wealth Management: Establish Written Financial Goals

Biblically, the act of writing means a great deal. It gives it priority, attention, and creates contemplation. Writing down your goals, desires, and beliefs is very much a Biblical Principle, as you can see from a few of the scriptures above. When you identify your goals and write them down, you are making a commitment to them.

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Now go, write it on a tablet before them
And inscribe it on a scroll,
That it may serve in the time to come
As a witness forever.

“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

A HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDY FOUND:

• 83% of the population does not have any clearly defined goals much less financial
• 14% have goals but they are not written down.
• 3% of the population has goals that are written down.

The study concluded that the 3% that have written goals were earning an astounding 10 times that of the 83% group. In addition, similar studies have shown that individuals with written goals also tend to have better health and happier marriages than those without goals.

Here we are, already through the first quarter of the year and I am as guilty as the next guy when it comes to setting and writing down my goals. So for many years I have used a goal form, made four copies of the form, laminated all four copies, put one in my shower, one beside my bathroom mirror, one in my Bible and one next to my keyboard at work.  By keeping my goals SMAC (Specific, Measurable, Achievable and Compatible) and putting them in writing I have reached nearly 100% of my written goals over the years.  Below is the form I use.

In 2013 I am going to strive to accomplish…

Spiritually

What I will do to accomplish this goal –

Physically

What I will do to accomplish this goal –

Financially

What I will do to accomplish this goal –

Relationally

What I will do to accomplish this goal –

Mentally

What I will do to accomplish this goal –

Professionally

What I will do to accomplish this goal –

There is an old saying, “Aim for nothing and that is exactly what you will hit” or “Aim for the stars and you’ll hit the moon.” I want to encourage each of you to write down your financial goals as well as other ones and see what a difference it will make in this year and in the following years.