Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Even if your dream is to become a missionary and work for nothing, you will need financial backing to get where you are going. Dreams require money whether it is yours or someone else's. As a Christian, it seems noble to do everything for nothing but that can lead to pride. Kiyosaki does not go into the moral dilemna of whether or not you should pursue a profit but rather assumes that if you are a good steward of your money, your money will begin work for you.

In his book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Kiyosaki explains strategies in which we can make our money profitable. He compares the financial teachings of his Rich Dad to the teachings of his Poor Dad. He cautions us that "the love of money is the root of all evil" though money itself is not evil. Rich people often do not have to think about the need for money because they let the money work for them instead of spending their lives working for the money. That frees up a lot time to consider how they will spend their money to both profit and share. They are often the most generous people with their time and money. The caution is that that is not always the case. It is easy to get snared in the pursuit of more money, at the expense of what is important. Do what is important with what you do have. Even Jesus instructs the men with the talents to not bury their money but rather make wise investments and, as the woman in Proverbs 31 was admired for, make a profit in all your dealings.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad is jam packed with lots of inspirational ideas to generating a more profitable income. I would have liked to explore more specific details in Kiyosaki's book but I was able to infer enough practices to explore in more detail in other sources, specifically for my business situation and ideas. Probably the most valuable information I got from the book is to consider the way I spend my money; to buy assets instead of liabilities and to limit expenses.

Dreamer's Top Six To Do List

1. Buy Assets (that can generate income) not Liabilities (that increase expenses)
2. Increase your financial IQ by taking courses, attending seminars, and reading books.
3. Own Businesses that can run profitably even if you are not there.
4. Become Best-Selling at whatever you do, not just the Best.
5. Mind your own cashflow and make it work for you.
6. Don't react on your emotions but do understand how they effect your ability to make financial decisions.

I do recommend reading, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and considering the ideas of Robert Kiyosaki. Not to follow his money-generating formulas but rather to evaluate the stewardship of your own money. Are you buying assets or squandering your money on liabilities? Are you allowing your money to work for you or are you working harder for money that you have already spent in the pursuit of things of little standing worth? Are you ready to handle more money? Learning to handle your money well and generate a profitable increase in it is indeed Godly stewardship of all that you have been given.