Power & Dominion Over Money

In Genesis, Chapter 1, God commanded Adam/Eve to have dominion, and with reference to everything in the earth, He commanded them to (1) be fruitful; (2) multiply; (3) replenish; and (4) subdue it.

In other words, to (1) be productive, which includes more than just having children; (2) add a multiplier to your productivity that creates an increase (quantity and/or quality) to what is produced - reproduce; (3) replace everything that you consume; and (4) effectively conquer, manage and control/rule – stewardship, power, and dominion.

Money is a conceptual principle and an earthly construct. It is not exempt from our responsibility over which we should exercise power and dominion.

Everyone has the right to improve their overall wellness, including their financial predisposition, and every effort should be made to remove any obstacles that prevent such a pursuit. Finances in general, and money in particular, should not be the only focus for living well. More importantly, neither should be the reason you are unwell.

No one wants, or chooses, to be unwell. When we are unwell, it is typically due to circumstances and conditions beyond our immediate control. The problem, however, seems to be that because we do not have “immediate” control, we tend to give up or slow-walk the process of trying to actually gain full control.

If I was seventy pounds overweight, for example, it seems very difficult to imagine fully controlling all of the aspects of effectively managing my health, diet, workout routines, etc., when looking at the problem as a whole. However, looking at the problem as a whole is not the same as addressing the problem in manageable and realistic portions.

The starting point is seeing the current big picture, first. Then plotting your course or plan of action based on realistic goals. Success can only be achieved by obtaining, documenting, and evaluating factual information. A well-known business principle is, “You will only improve that which is measured.”

In his book, Why We Sleep, Dr. Matthew Walker, writes, “One practice known to convert a healthy new habit into a permanent way of life is exposure to your own data.”

The more information you gather about yourself and your specific financial data the better shot you have of being successful in exercising control and authority over your finances and wealth building priorities.

Better understanding leads to more control. More control significantly decreases and, in most instances, eliminates fear and stress. Just recall how you feel about driving now, as compared to when you drove a vehicle for the very first time.

Maintaining control in every aspect of our lives is not just a Biblical mandate, but also allows us to function and effectively manage the various ways of improving our lives and overall wellbeing.

In his book, The War on Normal People, Former Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang, writes, “Studies show that people on a diet are continuously distracted and fare worse on various mental tasks. The same goes for sleep-deprived people, lonely people, people with their phone on the table in front of them, and poor people who are asked to think about money.”

My efforts to exercise power and dominion over my money is simple. I do everything I can to prevent money from being the prime focus. I constantly remind myself that money is just a tool for accomplishing other, more valuable and more worthwhile, things. As ridiculous as it sounds to love your hammer, your wrench, your screw drivers, a pair of scissors, etc., it should be as equally ridiculous to love money.

In my view, how you handle money dictates whether or not it is viewed as a tool or something to which you are emotionally attached. One allows you to build/improve the quality of your life and be a blessing to others (i.e. our YEEP Program), while the other keeps you in a never-ending cycle of scarcity, struggle, and rat-racing. Based on one’s primary experience with money, I characterize two basic money cycles:

The Po’Man’s - Money Cycle Control Over - Money Cycle

Step 1: He works to earn it; Step 1: She generates it, not necessarily from a job;

Step 2: He spends it; Step 2: She invests and uses it to acquire assets;

Step 3: He borrows it; Step 3: She loans it and ensures a positive return;

Step 4: He pays it back; Step 4: She keeps money moving where most beneficial;

Then: He REPEATS from Step 1 Then: She REPEATS from Step 1

During the “Po’Man’s” money cycle, he will occasionally save money but typically only for the purpose of skipping Step 1, to go straight to Steps 2 and 3, to acquire things he cannot otherwise afford or is unable to delay the material gratification.

During the “Control Over” money cycle, she will occasionally borrow money but only if she can guarantee a positive rate of return (ROR). In other words, what she does with the money she borrowed earns more, than it cost her to borrow it (as a simple example, she borrowed $1,000 at 5% interest, so she repaid $1,050. However, with the borrowed money, she earns $1,550, resulting in a $500 profit, using someone else’s money).

Remember! What you do with your money, every day, will determine what your money will do for you in the future. Your behavior and attitude toward your money really matters. To gain or maintain dominion over it, means understanding and controlling that relationship toward a positive and productive end.

The Genesis Solution to Exercising Power & Dominion Over Money

(1) Be Fruitful: Earn or generate money;

(2) Multiply: Add directly to the money, or use the money in ways that add to what you have already earned/generated;

(3) Replenish: Whatever you spend or remove, be sure to put that amount back; and

(4) Subdue it: Maintain and manage your budget, regularly. Assess your current circumstances. Make decisions that are well thought out, appropriately calculated, and are the consequence of your control and not the manipulation of others or uncontrolled material desires.

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Stay safe and take good care of yourselves.

Sean