By Felix A. Montelara
Author & Host of The Potential Millionaire
2 Corinthians 13:5
New International Version (NIV)
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
But the sovereign Lord helps me, so I am not humiliated. For that reason I am steadfastly resolved; I know I will not be put to shame.
In the last episode, I talked about the topic of new years resolutions, and we discussed how important it is to include your finances in your resolutions. However, most people break their resolutions within a few weeks, and often resolutions are forgotten quickly. It is very important to make resolutions that are realistic, manageable, and that you are committed to. I have a number of golden rules that I talk about, and that you will find in my book, Potencial Millonario. These would make wonderful resolutions for the New Year. For example, I recommend that you make a family budget, and know exactly how much money you make and spend. I recommend that you have an emergency fund, so that you are prepared for life’s unexpected disasters. I recommend that you save money, and that you pay yourself first. I recommend that you are honest with your family about money, and that you approach money matters together as a team. But what good are all these resolutions, if you are not totally committed to making them happen? What good are they, if you aren’t willing to make the sacrifices required to succeed? We all have millionaire potential, but do we all have the courage and discipline to be millionaires?
I really believe that each of us has millionaire potential, and that each of has the same opportunity to follow these golden rules and succeed at becoming financially free. Will it be easy? No. Will it happen overnight? No. Will it be worth it? Absolutely.
Let’s take some inspiring words from the Bible to help us have the courage to make good financial decisions in this New Year, and to have the resolve to keep our resolutions and to remain on the road to financial freedom. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. 
Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” Friends, these plans that we make about the New Year are tests. They are tests of our discipline, our resolve, our courage. We must look inward, we must look at ourselves and decide if we can pass the test. When you are tempted to spend money you don’t have, when you are tempted to argue about money, when you are tempted to despair- think about whether or not you are in the faith- and find strength in the fact that we can take strength from Jesus. Lean on Him- rest on Him- and keep strong in your resolutions. Make them last the whole year, make good habits for yourselves about your money. Recognize that millionaire potential that is within you, and be willing to commit to it.
Isaiah 50:7 states, “But the sovereign LORD helps me, so I am not humiliated. For that reason I am steadfastly resolved; I know I will not be put to shame.” As you commit yourselves to your budget, your savings, your emergency fund, your good spending habits, know that you are not alone. Know that if you persevere, you will not be humiliated, but instead you will be uplifted. I know that for some of you, the road to financial freedom will be a tough one- but you must believe that you can do this. No matter what difficulties you have been through, no matter what troubles you will go through, if you persevere and have courage and discipline, you will triumph in the end.
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