An Investment Principle With Guaranteed Positive Returns
Everything you do is an investment. It doesn’t matter whether it’s eating, watching TV, working, or spending time with others, you’re investing your time, energy, and/or material resources. So the natural question that flows out of this is, “What then are the best investments?”
We know that some investments have negative returns, some have positive, and a few simply break even. We obviously want to invest in things that have positive returns. But how do you evaluate what will bring the most positive returns? I’ve found that the best way to evaluate investments is to follow one simple principle: Direct the amount of your investment to the amount and timeframe over which it will pay you back. In other words, don’t put much time, effort, or money into things that have only a small, short-term payoff. But put a lot of your assets into things that pay off big over the long-term.
And what is the longest term we can plan for? We often think of retirement planning as a long-term planning process. And it is. But we really need to think of eternity first. You’ll spend a lot more time in eternity than you will in retirement. So the first thing we need to do is follow Matthew 6:20, where it says to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
To invest in eternity, we need to invest in two areas. First and foremost is our relationship with God. The priorities here are salvation, repentance, obedience, prayer, and furthering God’s kingdom (to name just a few). Second, we need to invest in other people. After all, the only things you can take into heaven are your relationships with God and other believers.
By focusing on these two areas first, it gives new importance to how you spend your time, energy, and material resources. And best of all, investing in these areas will always bring positive returns — guaranteed.
But this principle works just as well in evaluating material investments. This is where retirement investing comes into play. Investments such as 401ks, IRA, Roth IRAs, and such are the first place to start. Then you move into other long-term investments, such as real estate, CDs, etc.
But this principle also impacts other areas. For instance, the food you eat should focus on long-term benefits, not just on what fills your belly right now. The habits you develop should bring positive results in the long term, not just for today (smoking, for instance, might give you some pleasant sensations in the short term, but major health problems in the long run).
Sin, in fact, is often just perceived as a short-term investment. It pays off immediately in pleasure, power, or money, but the long-term payoff is very different. “‘You will not surely die [in the short term],’ the serpent said to the woman.” Invest in yourself, he directed her: “For God knows that when you eat of it [short term] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Most Christians know how that investment paid off in the long term. Our sins offer similar rates of return.
The things you spend money on daily should have a long-term focus, as well. Is the product you’re buying a fad that will have to be replaced in a few weeks? Or will it last for many years? The more you can spend money on things that last, the better off you’ll be in the long run.
This is a just brief look at the applications of this principle. Spend some time thinking about other ways you can apply it. Adjust your focus. Don’t live for today. Live for eternity. And invest for eternity.
Steve Kroening writes for Success magazine and also publishes Wisdom’s Edge. You can get Biblical tips on health, finance, relationships, parenting, and success, delivered to your email inbox every week. Simply visit http://www.wisdomsedge.com and sign up for this free e-zine.
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Cody Sperber’s DO IT YOURSELF LOAN MODIFICATION eBook Is Helping Homeowners Lower Their Monthly Payment And Avoid Foreclosure
August 31st, 2010 by Bank Loan | No Comments | Filed in LoansAbandoned Model Homes Special Housing Depression update with George4title and VisionVictory
Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) November 23, 2008
There are lots of loan modification folks out there these days. Frankly it seems like many of them just moved from sub prime lending to loan modification; but Cody Sperber’s Do It Yourself Loan Modification eBook shows that Cody and the folks at ForeclosureCounseling.com know what they are talking about. While some books just gloss over the things a homeowner needs to do, Cody’s DIY Loan Modication ebook gives you smart insight on things to ask for when negotiating your own loan modification.
In its simplest form, a Loan Modification is a way to renegotiate a homeowners current mortgage and monthly payments allowing them to avoid foreclosure and maintain their credit. Many aspects of their mortgage can be changed to their benefit, including the term of the loan, interest rate, balance of principle, and monthly payments. It’s even possible to have late fees waived. There are many opportunities opened through a Loan Modification and each home owner’s situation is unique. A large number of homeowners will use a Loan Modification to prevent foreclosure on their home. For anyone who is unable to make their monthly payments, or is in danger of being buried under a past-due balance, a Loan Modification is the perfect solutions to stopping foreclosure and keeping their home!
“When you’re trying to do a loan modification yourself the one thing you don’t have is time to figure out how to do it on your own. When your home is facing foreclosure is not the time to learn things on the job”, says Sperber. A home owner needs to make sure that their effort they put in is directed at reaching their ultimate goal – saving their home – and with Cody’s Do It Yourself Loan Modification ebook you’re well on your way.
Wasted energy, frustration and burn out are all symptoms of trying to get a loan modification. For a few bucks a homeowner can elimate the wasted energy part of the equation and learn how to deal with the frustration and dead ends that often pop-up during the process.
Inside Cody Sperber’s Do It Yourself Loan Modification Kit you will find:
The loan modification proposal package forms and documents
The included expense and income worksheets
The tips for dealing with the loan modification process and loss mitigation department employees
The information on where to start and what to ask for.
“Don’t be fooled that your lender(s) are just going to give you a loan modification that is in your best interest! Take the time to educate yourself on what a Loan Modification is, how to create a complete loan modification proposal, and how to negotiate with your banks home retention department.” Cody Sperber has been helping homeowners avoid foreclosure for over 5 years and specializes in Loan Modifications and Short Sales in Arizona. He owns http://www.ForeclosureCounseling.com, www.SellQuickForCash.com, and www.CodySperber.com.
For More Information Call 602-626-3598.
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