{"id":476,"date":"2014-10-02T15:55:28","date_gmt":"2014-10-02T22:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chrismiles.wphelp.ninja\/2014\/10\/02\/faith-filled-emergency-preparedness\/"},"modified":"2017-04-21T12:50:51","modified_gmt":"2017-04-21T19:50:51","slug":"faith-filled-emergency-preparedness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/?p=476","title":{"rendered":"Faith-Filled Emergency Preparedness"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>How often have we heard financial teachers use fear to get us to prepare?<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">They might even follow their doomsday tales with \u201cIf you are prepared, you shall not fear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"> As much as I believe that phrase to be true, I know that preparing <em><strong>with faith<\/strong><\/em> creates greater results, peace of mind, and protection from life&#8217;s storms. <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva;\"><b><br \/><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>Here are a few ways that you can prepare with an abundant, fearless, faith-filled perspective so you can prosper &amp; flourish:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>1.<\/b><b>Spiritual Preparedness<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>2.<\/b><b>Work Preparedness<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>3.<\/b><b>Financial\/Temporal Preparedness<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana,geneva;\"><b>Spiritual Preparedness<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">I believe that this one is most often overlooked but is the foundation for financial freedom. If you aren\u2019t spiritually prepared and in sync to receiving inspiration, everything else could collapse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Ask yourself these questions: <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Am I living with integrity (doing what I know I should be) in all areas of my life?<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Do I seek inspiration through prayer?<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Do I meditate often?<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Do I focus on serving others instead of only serving myself?<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Do I acknowledge abundance by donating at least 10% of my income BEFORE paying myself?<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">By putting our focus here first, the other areas of preparedness come more easily. Focus on the spiritual aspects, and the financial benefits will follow.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><br \/><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Work Preparedness<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva;\">What do I mean by work preparedness? Dieter F. Uchtdorf said that there are two principles in any economy \u2013 work and education.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Imagine for a moment that the monetary system failed worldwide. Money was no longer an option. How would you exchange to get the goods that you need? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Being able to exchange goods and services with others allowed the entire community, as a whole, to prosper faster. When everyone worked together to prosper, their abundance increased more and all essential needs were met more easily than living life as \u201cevery man for himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Work is at the heart of prosperity. An economy is run by those that labor to provide a valuable service or product to others. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">When people stop working, society fails. When we expect others to take care of us, no one will be able to take care of us. Work is essential to prosperity.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva;\">A key principle of work is this &#8211; Exchange creates wealth.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva;\"> The faster and greater the exchange, the more wealthy everyone becomes. The more we withhold our labor or our request for labor, the more impoverished we become.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Think of the Great Depression. Out of fear, people either stopped spending money (hoarding) or gambled it away. When you stop spending money or asking others to provide goods or services to you, people don\u2019t get paid. When they don\u2019t get paid, you won\u2019t get paid either. A lot of people were unnecessarily out of work because people didn\u2019t have the faith in this timeless economic principle of exchange.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Education is also critical here. In order to improve our value in society, we need to have the necessary skills and knowledge that will help deliver on those goods and services. Education does not necessarily mean schooling in the traditional sense. It can be acquired in many different ways, such as becoming an apprentice, reading books, attending classes or workshops, self-teaching thru YouTube, etc.<\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">The key here is to always strive to increase our understanding and knowledge. When we do so, we increase our value. As our value increases, so does our wealth.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">J. Richard Clarke once said:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0.1pt 0in;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><i>\u201cIs it possible [we] are becoming part of a \u201cconspiracy for mediocrity\u201d by being content with [our] present knowledge and skills? Pride of workmanship has always been the heart of a competitive free-enterprise system. There are too many tradesmen who will not pay the price to become craftsmen, teachers who do not teach, repairmen who do not repair, farmers who do not farm, leaders who do not lead, and problem solvers in every field who do not solve problems.<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0.1pt 0in;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><i>Our labor should be honest labor and quality labor. The only honorable way for each of us to share in the world\u2019s wealth is to exchange our own goods and services for those produced by someone else&#8230;.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"> <\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">Having with the right knowledge and skills that serves others allows us to be prepared, regardless of the economy or government decisions about our currencies. This is why I don\u2019t fear a financial collapse.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">I never ask, \u201cHow can I make more money?\u201d I ask the question that is the cause of money and prosperity, \u201cHow do I serve or add more value to more people?\u201d THAT is why education and work go hand in hand for preparedness.<\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><br \/><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Financial Preparedness<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">As you work on preparing yourself spiritually, educationally, and occupationally, you must have your finances in order. Financial preparedness includes:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">1. Pay tithes and offerings, or donate 10% to charity<br \/><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">2. Live within your means<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">3. Build an emergency savings (At least 6 months expenses)<br \/><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">4. Have the proper insurances<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">5. Be wise with your surplus<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\">6. Food, water, and gas storage<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>7. Extra clothing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong> <\/strong>I&#8217;m not going to spend a lot of time going into each of these in this post, but there are other posts where I have addressed several of these. In this area, what&#8217;s important is that you start somewhere. You don&#8217;t have to have all of this done now. Work little by little to prepare yourself financially.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><br \/><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>Summary<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><em><strong>The one overarching principle I hope you get from these three areas of preparation is the principle of stewardship.<\/strong><\/em> I believe we are here on this Earth to learn how to manage and increase our stewardship to serve others and be happy. We have stewardship over our bodies, minds, families, neighbors, time, and money\/physical items. How well do we take care of these people or things? Are we trying to make life simpler by eliminating these from our lives, or are we trying to improve and increase them?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"> That\u2019s the point of all of this. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>How will we manage our stewardship to be best prepared, no matter what storms come our way? Preparing with faith brings confidence and peace of mind when others panic. You will become a beacon of hope when hopelessness becomes the norm. This won\u2019t only bless you and your immediate family, but generations beyond you, and the lives that you touch. As Malachi said in the Old Testament, \u201cAll nations shall call you blessed.\u201d<\/strong> <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How often have we heard financial teachers use fear to get us to prepare? They might even follow their doomsday tales with \u201cIf you are prepared, you shall not fear.\u201d As much as I believe that phrase to be true, I know that preparing with faith creates greater results, peace of mind, and protection from <a href=\"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/?p=476\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Faith-Filled Emergency Preparedness<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":475,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-and-podcasts"],"acf":[],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family.jpg",660,442,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family.jpg",660,442,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family.jpg",660,442,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family-300x201.png",300,201,true],"large":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family.jpg",660,442,false],"tf-client-image-size":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family.jpg",120,80,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family.jpg",660,442,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family.jpg",660,442,false],"bloom_image":["https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_happy-family-610x409.png",610,409,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Chris Miles","author_link":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/author\/chris"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/?cat=8\" rel=\"category\">Blog and Podcasts<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"How often have we heard financial teachers use fear to get us to prepare? They might even follow their doomsday tales with \u201cIf you are prepared, you shall not fear.\u201d As much as I believe that phrase to be true, I know that preparing with faith creates greater results, peace of mind, and protection from&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=476"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":531,"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476\/revisions\/531"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/475"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyripples.com\/money-ripples-st\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}