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This book came heavily recommended by Zack Blair and Ben Rath. In fact, Zack did a book review of it here. Since I’ve moved out on my own – I’ve looked at money in a totally different light. I’ve been through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Curriculum, but just like any principle in life, until you put it into practice, it doesn’t hold a lot of value. I’ve really been looking to revamp the way I handle and view money and this book helped me out tremendously. Here are some of my key takeaways:

• Make it Automatic - if you’ll automate you’re bill pay, savings, and investments it will take away from the need to be disciplined and you’ll automatically be on your way to being a millionaire!
• Automatic millionaires don’t do debt – Period
• The more you give, the more comes back to you. The more you give, the wealthier you feel!

• Renters become poor, landlords become rich – Own real estate as soon as you can!
• To get new results, you need new actions
• Figure out your “latte factor” – the little things you spend money on each day and figure out how much money you could be investing if you’d invest that money instead of spend it
• Pay with cash or don’t pay at all – you can’t spend what you don’t have in your pocket!

This was a great book – easy read and very practical. I’d recommend it to anyone looking to get a handle on their money. Also – as an additional resource – check out Dave Ramsey’s stuff – he’s got it down!

Final Grade: A          Buy it here

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -Hebrews 11:1

Two weeks ago I wrote about the Faithfulness of God. I want to expound on what God’s been teaching me in this area. I was listening to a sermon the other day and the pastor said, “What is the outcome/result of faith?”. The Answer – “Proof!” Hebrews 11:1 says it is the evidence!

I remember reading Zack Blair’s Facebook page and one of his favorite quotes was “Prove it”. Don’t you hate when someone says that to you after you’ve just made a statement? Often it can catch us off guard, it can catch us bluffing, exaggerating, etc.. The reason that quote is so good is because it forces us to see reality and look at the facts. It exposes the truth.  You can’t argue with reality, truth, facts, or proof. People can argue all day long about what they believe, but they can never argue with proof, evidence, or actual experience. There isn’t a person on the planet that could convince me that God’s Word isn’t true – I’ve experienced it:

• My life being changed after making Jesus my Lord is PROOF that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.
  

• The fact that I was living a purposeless life and now I live everyday of my life with purpose is PROOF that He has an amazing plan for my life.
  

• The fact that when I’ve faced circumstances in my life that should have crippled me emotionally, spiritually, etc. and had a peace throughout the whole thing is PROOF that He’ll keep in perfect peace those whose eyes are fixed on Him.

• The fact that I’ve been in bondage to a number of things and have been set free from all of them is PROOF that God has set me free from every bondage in my life!

I could go on forever, but I think you get the point . . .

I hear people all the time say, “Prove to me that there is a God” “Prove to me that God exists” “Prove to me God heals”etc.. Well, it’s not my job to prove to you that God exists, has a plan for your life, etc.. God’s Word is true whether you believe it or not.  It’s my job to proclaim it to you and it’s up to you if you believe it or not. If you believe it and act on it – you’ll have PROOF (evidence)that God’s Word is true and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Then you’ll no longer need to wonder if God’s word is true, if it will work for you, etc… You’ll have proof.