You Play How You Practice

By Adam Tarnow

This message is for the dudes. Ladies, if you are reading this right now, please stop. Seriously, close this down and go to Pinterest or something, I need to have a conversation with the guys.

Okay guys, I'm going to get right to it. I'm challenging you to take Moneywise 1. During the past Moneywise 1 classes, there is one demographic that has been very under-represented: young adult males. Why is this?

If you are anything like I was in my 20s and early 30s, it is because (1) you don’t feel like you have any money issues because you haven’t overdrawn your checking account since college or (2) you are afraid I’m going to tell you to stop paying money to join your fantasy football league (don’t worry…I’m not…I pay to be in my league!).

It is important that you all know the consistent feedback we get from those who completed Moneywise 1 is that this is one of those classes that is great "for everyone, regardless of your current financial situation."

The best reason I can think of to take this class in your life stage is this: you will play how you practice. You might remember this principle from your old football or basketball coach. The reason they wanted you to go “all out” during practice is because they knew that was a predictor of how you'd play in your upcoming game.

The same principle holds true when it comes to your personal finances. Now, to be very clear, I am not saying that as a young adult you are only "practicing" the game of life. That is not true—you are in the game now, regardless of your life stage. What I am saying is that as you get older, you will most likely find yourself in situations where you have been given more and more responsibility.

This could be in your career, your immediate family, or maybe one day even a family of your own. How you “practice” leading yourself in this area today is a great predictor of how you will handle increased responsibility in the future. Don’t wait until it feels like you have responsibility before you seek to be equipped in this area of life. As Jesus stated in Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…”

Moneywise is not a financial crisis ministry. Moneywise seeks to make disciples of Jesus Christ by teaching the basics of financial management and stewardship from a biblical perspective. This class will not waste your time and will help you prepare for what God has next for you.

The next class starts on October 24th and the class will be offered again four times in 2013. You can check out the "Registration" tab here: http://www.watermark.org/ministries/moneywise/.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31151995@N04/4145762907/