Treasures that last forever

Our lives can be made more comfortable by material belongings, such as the newest phones, larger homes, or cars. It's simple to assume that possessing more will also increase our happiness. However, the reality is that nothing we may purchase will stay forever.

There is a time limit on everything we gather on this planet. Houses collapse, cars break down, and new phones age rapidly. We truly have no control over the affairs of this world in the long term.

When Jesus invites us to focus on storing treasures in heaven, where things do not fade or vanish, He is essentially inviting us to a different way of living. He calls us to concentrate on heavenly things that will endure forever rather than accumulating material possessions. 

Everything we own was actually given to us by God's grace, we are just the managers of these. 

**The passage advises not to store treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy and thieves steal, but in heaven, where treasures are safe and secure.

with ms. Kimsour (Fashion design Lecturer) 

**If I am not mistaken, this might be the fourth time to be sharing to a co-lecturer about my thoughts on how we manage our finances in our family. 

I am more than happy to be able to help out a colleague on how to handle finances wisely. Meet Kimsour, she's a young Fashion design lecturer. A very independent woman since she has studied and lived abroad both in Thailand and Paris. I am glad that we get along, and I treat her as a younger sister. There were several instances that she would confide to me about life and finances. Like me she's also taking MBA but in the field of Fashion and it's based in London (online classes). She always feels exhausted because of so many hats she's wearing all weeks! Her health actually had a major turned for her to resign from teaching for a moment.

Sharing time: What matters most?

At one point in our kitchen pantry, Kim found me and sat beside me. She shared how things were going on about her. She's felt torn and struggling on how to handle her time, relationship, own body and money. I listened intently, but somehow dwelt much on the "finances" part. She asked me how I managed mine.. now that's an opportunity I was waiting for 😅😇

I told her, when I was single like her. I also struggled on my finances - It was challenging for me to even save up, but things turned better when I realized to plan & budget wisely (importance ranking!): 

** Single (monthly)

1. Being grateful - thankful and contented of what I have first 

*I joined tribal mission trips - the beautiful tribes I met compelled me to be always thankful everyday 👉 Matigsalug Tribe mission trip

2. Set aside - give my Tithes 10% since I am a Christian (this is important to me to honor my God because everything comes/belongs to Him)

3. Give - sacrificially for Mission work 5% 

3. Save - it doesn't matter how much at least every month I could save ($5 start from) 

4. List down expenses down even to the tiny details (food,rent,utilities,eating out,transpo,etc..)

5. Stick to the budget - make sure to just spend within my means!

6. Pay my debt (because back then I have credit card)

**Married

I also shared to her how my husband and I handle our finances. She's thrilled to learn too!

Our financial dynamics as husband and wife also has change a bit, since we already have combined income (as one! no matter who earns much - not an issue!). Our rule is, we need to always be open-minded and agree to disagree to discuss when making decisions on how to plan and run our finances. Actually even on the matter of lending money we discussed about it.. if it's below $19 we could decide independently about it, above $20 we need to ask each other. Normally when we lend money to our friends or people, we don't expect anything in return. It's our way to help them. We are on board on "No borrowing" (we don't own any credit cards even up to this time praise God for that!) we intentionally live within our means so there's no reason for us to borrow money. We do save every month; we list down all our expenses so we could track down and manage well.

I know it's different for Khmer setting, but it does make sense when spouses would come together and talk about it. This arrangement works with our family effectively. 

Mindset changed first: 

😍 We don't own anything - God owns everything! 

😌 Resources are entrusted by God, and we are only the managers

😅 We always make sure to store treasures that will last

😌 Living only within our means

👌 Money should not be a big issue in our relationship

😎 Not borrowing any money, hence no credit cards

👍 We should be on the same boat when we lend money to our friends ($19 down it's up to us, but $20 up - we need to discuss and agree)

😁 Big purchases should be planned/saved up ahead

😉 Decide who will manage our finance, in our case it's my husband since he is good at planning and budgeting, I am not (I am more of a spender haha!)

💪 TITHES - this is important to us - again recognizing that God owns everything and that we honor him (we actually give more than 10%)

😊 Save monthly (for yearly goal: investment, insurance, travel, training skills etc.)

😊 List down all our monthly expenses (utilities, David's tuition fees, transpo, food, dates/eating out etc..) 

**I have written a post about our "Couple Dates" budget here 👉Are dates still important?

😉 Benevolent fund

😃 Stick to the budget and tighten the belt

😀 Exercise delayed gratification (self-control!)

😍 Discernment on needs over wants

Kimsour was both amazed and interested to know more about how we are doing it. I explained to her that it's challenging for the most part, but we are doing our best to follow and be disciplined to stick with our budget and trust that with God's help/provision we would be able to get by. 

I wish there would still be much time to just share things like these in the future with Kimsour and that she would be receptive to talk about Jesus more. However, she already has flown to London and pursue her MBA. She promised to get in touch and will see her back to Cambodia after two years!