K. WOODWARD PERSONAL FINANCE
  • Start
  • Bio
  • WealthBlog
    • Books
    • Random Thoughts
    • Femail
    • GirlBanker
  • MyBooks
  • MoneySpot
  • Coach

Is Your Religion Keeping You Poor?

19/3/2015

19 Comments

 
Picture
I listened to a lot of Grant Cardone in 2014. In Sell or Be Sold he has this one little section where he talks about how he works 14 hours a day on his best days and does more in 2.5 days than most people do the whole week. Grant then goes on to say that come Sunday, having done nothing all week some people still feel entitled to rest because “The Good Book” says they should rest.


As far as Grant is concerned and I would tend to agree that logic is completely flawed. He thinks God rested on the 7th day because he’d built the whole entire world in 6 days and as such deserved a rest. You haven’t done anything solid all week and still you think you need a rest? What? Why?

Indeed, every religion has it’s own day of rest whether it be Friday, Saturday or Sunday and a lot of people use it as a justification for not working. If you’ve been as productive as you want to be the rest of the week, why not? However, the fact is most haven’t.

I personally think rest has to be well earned and if you’re going to make it in this life there will be months when you cannot take a single day fully off. Even when I was pregnant and exhausted I was working like a donkey most days until the 37th week when I cut back to about 2 to 4 hours per day.

As a student in both high school and university I used to go to chapel every Sunday but that didn’t mean I didn’t do any work. I just did my work around chapel and ensured that I didn’t laze around the rest of the week.

Chapel was actually one of my favourite times of the week because it was a very social experience. I was friends with many people at chapel and usually spent an hour afterwards hanging out.

After I was done enjoying myself I went back to hit the books.

If you feel like you’re underachieving relative to where you should be and you also take a day off every week for religious reasons I would have a critical think about that. I’m not going to tell you what you should do all I will say is that you are the mistress of your own fate and small things like allowing yourself to work on the day you have been taught to believe is “a day of rest” can make a massive difference in your output.

God doesn’t care when you work. If God was so against me working on Sundays then why did he let me go from academic success to academic success? From a struggling 11 year-old how is it that by the time I was 17 He gave me all the resources to get into Cambridge and then ultimately to graduate with a first class degree?

Ultimately, you could be saying I am not working on Sunday or Saturday or Friday for religious reasons when the truth is, you’re not working on that day because you don’t want to and feel a religious reason is a good justification for your laziness. ‘Nuff said.

Picture
Want to Build a 6-Figure Beauty Business from the comfort of your sofa? Then my course is designed for YOU! 

"Beauty" includes a WIDE range of products from the not so obvious non-perishable foods and crafts to the more obvious hair, makeup, fashion, health & fitness.

19 Comments
Symantha link
18/3/2015 03:35:37 pm

I think before you can comment about the "reason" why the Creator instructed his creation to "rest" on the seventh day of each week, you should read about it, for yourself....as I believe you would have an entirely different perspective on it.

Also, please bear in mind that hard work and accomplishments does not necessarily indicate that "God did it for you"....Evil is hard at work accomplishing great deceptions, (even through religion), is the Creator assisting with that as well?

Reply
Judith
18/3/2015 04:22:30 pm

Well said Symantha!!

Reply
Symantha link
18/3/2015 04:49:04 pm

Thank you Judith :).

I like Heather and started watching her hair videos a while back...it is not my intention to insult her but her reasoning is off on this piece, sorry.

Reply
Amber
19/3/2015 11:53:23 pm

Thank you Symantha.you on point

Reply
Jennifer
18/3/2015 05:28:00 pm

I have to agree with Symantha. Observing the Sabbath isn't about resting up.

Reply
Phil
18/3/2015 07:03:17 pm

Heather actually raised a great point and so did Symantha.

This piece was an eye opener to me.. there's lots of people going around not doing anything productive because 'they are working for the Lord' and wonder why they are stuck in the same place for years. Joyce Meyer once said people tend to forget that they ought to get their minds renewed, not removed!

Anyhow, religion as always is a tricky subject which is why at my workplace we are encouraged to desist from discussing it. We interpret the bible differently as evidenced by this very article, so ultimately - to each, his own

Reply
Legademe37
18/3/2015 09:19:20 pm

There's nothing wrong with a day of rest from hard work all week. it can be used for rest, church, family time, or all 3. Many black people have strenuous jobs or jobs in which they have to put up with racist bosses or coworkers. What I think makes some people poor is when their religion of church DEMANDS that they turn over a certain percentage of their income to the church even if it means financial hardships. They're often told that doing this will invite "God's blessings". Just a few days ago Creflo Dollar, a mega church evangelist who lives in a mansion & has expensive cars put out a call for his followers to give $300 per household to help him get a new 65 million dollar jet ( to replace his old jet). to help him "spread the gospel". It caused a huge outcry, the message was taken down & there was a lot of backpedaling to "explain what he really meant." Some people blindly follow such requests & will send money. The pastors that do this are hypocritical & dangerous & prey on the poor & needy

Reply
Heather Katsonga-Woodward
24/3/2015 02:50:38 pm

I saw the press release for that $65m jet - I was appalled! What is even more appalling is that some people who are struggling fall for that kind of stuff.

I also agree that there is nothing wrong with resting but I focus on using God as an excuse not to work because frankly, it's a good excuse and one that doesn't result in guilt - however - most people aren't praying and reflecting on the whole Sabbath, they pray for an hour then max & relax for the rest of the day in a true religious day of rest they wouldn't be doing that.

Reply
Nokuthula
18/3/2015 11:59:35 pm

Setting aside a day of rest each week is more about worshiping God than just going to church. I like your articles Heather but on this one I think you don't know what you are talking about. You may be successful but that doesn't mean you understand how God works or how all religions work. I believe in resting not because I am tired but because I need time to spend with God. Riches are not a measure of God's favour towards a person otherwise Paul, Peter etc would have been very rich. Religion and relating to God is a personal thing. If I want to rest even when I have not done anything during week I can do so because to me 'rest' means spending time with God by studying my Bible and praying

Reply
Bredget
19/3/2015 04:14:43 am

Well said Nokuthula, I believe there are people who do not understand the difference between religion and relationship. Heather was wrong to judge and generalize and this comes when someone has a whole lot of religion but no relationship with the Lord. Anytime someone sees church as a social event and had the I did this on my own syndrome and do not give credit to the Creator, then it opens the door to where the judging and lack of a Godly perspective can enter.

Reply
Heather Katsonga-Woodward
24/3/2015 02:56:40 pm

Watch the video I just uploaded and let me know your thoughts. Of course, what I write about is just MY opinion and I respect the fact that everyone has their own opinion and of course, everyone always thinks their opinion is right, it human nature.

:) x

Reply
Shelly
19/3/2015 06:39:51 am

I'm not sure what Heather's implying here. Are you saying lazy people, who did nothing all week, haven't earned the right to a day off? Maybe, Heather, in your quest to help people on the path to success, you should restrict your comments to time management and leave religion out of it. Or better, understand that success is also measured in the way people perceive their relationship with God.

Reply
Crystal
19/3/2015 07:47:35 am

Paul gave specific instructions for the rich. He said: “Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17) Evidently there is a danger that rich people might become proud and feel superior to others. Also, they may be tempted to think that riches can offer true security—something that only God can provide.
PLEASE STICK WITH ADVICE ON HAIR AND BUSINESS.

Reply
Linda link
19/3/2015 11:36:26 am

Heather,
Looks like I am the only one who seems to be in complete agreement with you. I know exactly where you are coming from and totally support your opinion.
Thank you for your insight and continue doing what you're doing.

Reply
amber
19/3/2015 11:51:31 pm

normally your business advise is ok but on this piece i feel you are misleading people. Unless you clearly understand scripture please do not mislead those that look up to you. i agree with crystal's point on riches and pride. be wary, its a thin line

Reply
Chi
21/3/2015 09:59:34 pm

This article is very insightful thank you Heather. When it comes to hard work and faith common sense is very vital as even the bible points out that faith without works is dead. I will also like to educate you on the subject of 'religion' which as someone has pointed out is to do with your relationship with God. It involves a lot more than taking a day off. It actually means spending time with the creator of Heaven and earth the one who loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us. You see nothing can fill the void in one except God. And it all stems from building that daily realationship with Him through careful study of Gods word. Of course hard work is important and all but if it's all for this life here on earth one is working then just as the bible says you are of all men most miserable. Because life here on earth is fleeting and man with all his knowledge is very limited. I love you Heather I don't mean to undermine you in any way I understand where you're coming from. But it is clear that you have a lot to learn about the creator as you've demonstrated very limited knowledge about Him. The wonderful thing is He still loves you and is willing to teach you if you will only let Him.

Reply
Roberta
22/3/2015 02:31:19 am

Watch this sermon on the true meaning of James 2. Read Romans 4:1-8 as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPqSelVJvoA

Reply
Roberta Ajulo
22/3/2015 02:29:35 am

Romans 14:5, "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."

There's nothing wrong with working on Sunday. Christians don't even have to observe the Sabbath.

John 5:16-17, "And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."

Christians shouldn't forsake the assembly though (church). Hebrews 10:25.

Reply
Stephanie
29/3/2015 02:58:04 pm

Heather gave her opinion on the subject and i find it interesting how almost everyone here has judged her faith or her understanding of the bible. Everyone has their way of interpreting their understanding of the bible therefore I do not think it is right to sit in judgement over Heathers understanding.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Heather on Wealth

    I enjoy helping people think through their personal finances and blog about that here. Join my personal finance community at The Money Spot™.

    Categories

    All
    4% Rule
    About
    Accounting
    Action
    Admin
    Airbnb
    Amazon
    Ask Heather Katsonga
    Assets
    Attitude
    Beauty Industry
    Black Culture
    Black Economics
    Branding
    Budgeting
    Business Cash Flow
    Buy To Let
    Careers
    Cars
    Cash Flow
    Change
    Children
    Content Creation
    Credit Karma
    Credit Score
    Critical Illness Cover
    Dave Ramsey
    Decreasing Term Insurance
    Defined Benefit Pension
    Diversification
    Earning More Money
    Ebay
    Education
    Emergency Fund
    Energy
    Entrepreneurship
    Equity Release
    Estate Planning
    Etsy
    Experian
    FAQs
    Fear Of Risk
    Fidelity
    Financial Crisis
    Financial Freedom
    Financial Independence
    Financial Planning
    FIRE Movement
    Freelance
    Graphics Design
    Habits
    Halifax
    Hargreaves Lansdown
    Health
    Implementation
    Income
    Initiative
    Insurance
    Investing
    ISA
    Iweb
    Jobs
    Junior ISA
    Legacy Business
    Liabilities
    Life Insurance
    Life Story
    Lodger
    Luck
    Mindset
    Mompreneur
    Money
    Money Mistakes
    Money Spot Program
    Mortgage Insurance
    Mortgages
    Net Worth
    Nurture
    Office Of National Statistics
    Online Selling
    Opportunity
    Organisation
    Parents
    Passion Business
    Patience
    Pensionbee
    Pensions
    Personal Balance Sheet
    Planning
    Poverty
    Priorities
    Priority
    Productivity
    Property
    Racism
    Refunds
    Relationships
    Rental Insurance
    Renting
    Resources
    Retirement
    Risk Taking
    Rule Of 72
    Sacrifices
    Saving
    Self Discovery
    Self Employed
    Self-Improvement
    Side Hustles
    Single Parent
    SIPP
    Sleep
    Social Norms
    Spending
    Stamp Duty
    Start Up
    Start-up
    Stay At Home Parent
    Stock Market
    Tax
    Teenagers
    Time
    Unemployment
    Vanguard
    Wage Slavery
    Wealth Protection
    Will Power

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    November 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    May 2019
    June 2018
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

Picture

Podcast Links

Wealth Blog 

  • Children
  • Financial Independence / FIRE
  • Pensions
  • Retirement
  • Saving
Buy me a coffeeBuy me a coffee
Picture

© 2007 - 2021, The Money Spot™ ~ Make Money, Change Lives!
Heather Katsonga-Woodward, a massive personal finance fanatic.
** All views expressed are my own and not those of my employer ** Please get professional advice before re-arranging your personal finances.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Got Credit, www.hickey-fry.com, focusonmore.com, Francisco Anzola, SortedForYa, Prachi More, osipovva, Got Credit, focusonmore.com, Free For Commercial Use (FFC), Cory M. Grenier, jerseytom55, Got Credit, wuestenigel, trendingtopics, EpicTop10.com, mikecohen1872, mrmatthogg, focusonmore.com, jijake1977
  • Start
  • Bio
  • WealthBlog
    • Books
    • Random Thoughts
    • Femail
    • GirlBanker
  • MyBooks
  • MoneySpot
  • Coach