By Sarah Lee
KUALA LUMPUR — Faith? Finances? Is there even a connection? It’s likely that most of us see faith and finances as two mutually exclusive areas, but did you know that 10 per cent of the verses in the Bible relate to money or possessions?
During the 2021 Lenten season, the Single Working Adults Group (SWAG) of the Church of Jesus Caritas (JCC) and the Chapel of Kristus Aman (KA) collaborated with Adrian Ho and Peter Law of VitaMutari to organise a series of personal financial management sessions for the youth. More than just your average financial talk, the sessions were also aimed at illustrating how our Christian faith can inform us in our financial decision-making.
Over the course of the four sessions (March 6, 13, 20, 27), participants gained a basic understanding of managing their personal finances, such as learning how to fill up their personal cash flow and net worth statement and how to assess their personal financial health. With many working adults saddled with debt, Adrian and Peter made it a point to give practical tips and tricks on how to tackle it. They also went through the golden rules that should be followed when borrowing money.
The underlying theme throughout the workshop was that of discerning the will of God for our lives and this was something that participants were encouraged to reflect on. For example, how can we plan our finances wisely to allow us to achieve God’s plan for us? How can we manage our debt effectively instead of being enslaved by it? How can we manage our lifestyles prudently instead of giving in to our immediate wants and desires?
With tax filing season looming around the corner, Adrian and Peter wrapped up the workshop by guiding participants on how to best optimise and maximise their tax reliefs.
All in all, it was a timely workshop for the Lenten season, when most in the Christian community are striving to get material wants and desires in check through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Regardless of whatever financial strain we are currently facing, we can rest assured that with Jesus on board at the helm, we can safely navigate through the storms of life.
