Finances, Fitness, Food: Growing in Virtue
“Whatever you do, think of the Glory of God as your main goal” (St. John Bosco).
I have been on a health journey over the past six months: working on my physical fitness, prioritizing healthy food and nutrition, and setting some slightly “crazy” goals (according to my husband). A year after weaning our twins, I was ready to push myself. As I have worked toward my goals, I have accomplished some, set new ones, and evaluated whether now is the right time for others. This reflection time has revealed the similarities between financial planning goals and physical health goals. The common thread? Virtue.
Prudence
When we set out to accomplish health goals, we need to be mindful of what is realistic, keep from comparing ourselves with others, and ask what God is asking of us for this time in our life. It may not be the right time to run a marathon, but maybe it is the right time to begin running for 30 minutes a day. Prudence enables us to discern the nuance within our current situation. What is right for someone right now may not be right for me.
The same is true with our finances. For example, someone might be in a state of life to give a lot, and someone else might be only able to give a little, because the rest of their money is needed for their vocation. When we set any goals, we need to act with prudence to be sure they are appropriate and are what God wants for us.
Justice
Justice requires us to give each person exactly what he or she is due. When setting goals, it is important to be mindful of the sacrifices they might require of others. If I go for a four-hour bike ride, I rely on someone else to spend those four hours with my kids. Is that just?
Here, we can refer back to prudence and discernment. It is probably good quality time for my husband to spend with our kids, it gives me time to pray and reflect, and I typically come home more refreshed to be with my family. In this case, it sounds like all the outcomes are positive, but there may be a time when it becomes too much of a burden or should not be a weekly activity. Here, family discernment and communication come into play.
In the same way, if I decide we should give heavily to a charity, is it just to make my family eat simple meals to save on groceries? Maybe, if it’s what God is asking of us. Having a deep sense of justice allows us to walk alongside God and give to the people He asks us to give to, in the amounts He asks, at the times He asks, and without taking away resources that are for others.
Fortitude
Both health goals and financial goals take a certain amount of courage to set and to live. Setting goals means we are working toward something and risking failure. Are we courageous enough to set stretch goals? Do we have the fortitude needed to persevere and accomplish them? It takes physical strength when we are talking about physical goals, but both physical and financial goals also require mental strength.
We also need to reevaluate goals at times. It takes fortitude to admit that our goals need to be adjusted from time to time, that we set a goal a little too high, or that a goal is not what God is calling us to right now.
Temperance
Temperance relates to moderation or restraint. It is important to set stretch goals and push ourselves to our limits. After all, when weight training, we tear the muscles so that they grow back stronger. The same can be said for financial goals: There are times when we might need to make sacrifices and live frugally in order to accomplish a financial goal.
However, do we know where to stop? Sometimes, we continue pushing ourselves to our limits as a way of being in control. This control often means we lack faith that God will provide for us. Knowing where to stop requires a relationship with God and asking Him, “Is this right for me? Am I pushing too hard? Am I relying on myself or letting you lead me?”
There is a balance between using the talents He has given us and knowing when we are pushing too hard.
Faith
Scripture tells us that “faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the acknowledgement that the deepest desires of our hearts can only be fulfilled in God.
Both physical health and financial health can become idols. We can begin to worship them or rely on them to provide for us what we think we need: If I am physically strong, I can protect myself. I don’t need God. If I have enough money, I can provide for myself. I don’t need God.
When setting goals, we need to have faith that God will provide for and protect us. He is calling us to live our life fully alive and, therefore, to be financially and physically healthy. He calls us to be responsible in these areas of our life, but He also wants to be the one who helps us get there. As we set goals in these areas, do we ask God what He wants? When we accomplish those goals, do we give thanks and praise to Him for allowing these achievements?
Brotherly Love
Are you guilty of comparing yourself, your goals, your achievements, and your life in general to other people? I know I am, but comparison is the thief of joy. Brotherly love enables us to be happy for others when they succeed.
When setting financial or physical goals, we need to be aware that we are asking God what He wants our goals to be—not someone else’s goals. What God has planned for you could look very different than what He has planned for your neighbor. We need to be able to celebrate each other’s successes and set goals specific to ourselves.
Often, I am asked, “What should be my No. 1 financial goal?” To be honest, I cannot answer that question without diving into who you are and what you have discerned (or what you think) God is asking of you.
It’s the same with physical goals; just because your neighbor is called to run a marathon does not mean you are. You should be happy for her, proud of her, and inspired by her—but your goal may be a 5K, an ultra-marathon, or walking 30 minutes per day. God works in mysterious ways. Maybe her running time is her prayer time. Maybe she is working through some limiting beliefs with God cheering her on.
God has individual plans for our growth and for the people we will inspire with our life. Hold each other accountable, but allow your goals to be yours and your neighbor’s goals to be hers.
Humility
Humility involves knowing when we are wrong, knowing who we are called to be, and living our life fully alive for God. Humility is recognizing that God gives us everything; without Him, we are lost and unable to do anything. It’s also recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and allowing God to use the strengths to change the world.
When we set goals, are we leaving them in God’s hands? Are we flexible enough to change them if He asks us to? As we look at our finances and our health, it’s important to humbly ask God what His plan is for them.
Diligence
Diligence fights the sin of sloth, which is often why we struggle to achieve our goals—or even set them in the first place. While diligence plays a role in all goal-setting, it is particularly necessary for the areas of health and finance, because they tend to be spaces where we are motivated to change in the beginning but, as time goes on, we struggle to stick to it.
I have seen many clients excited to start but struggle to stay the path and hit their goal. In the same way, maybe your health goal starts with a reset or cleanse, but how long do you stay on the program? We hear all the time about dieters who gain all the weight back as soon as they are off the diet.
In both health and finances, we need to make our goals part of our lifestyle. We should not look for a “get rich quick” solution, so to speak. We need something maintainable and realistic. We need to live our life right now, while staying mindful of the future. Financially, it may mean spending some money on opportunities that come your way rather than saving every possible penny—but, also, saving the right amount so you are prepared for what God has in store for your future. Physically, it might mean allowing ourselves the occasional treats, desserts, or a relaxing day or week but, most of the time, having a workout schedule and healthy diet to support our body.
God wants us to live life fully alive. He wants us on fire for Christ and His Church. Goals motivate us to become and do great things, but as we walk this path, we need to be mindful of the goals God wants for us and the virtues we need in order to accomplish those goals.
More than anything, we need God. We need Him with us during the whole process: setting goals, mapping out the plan to accomplish them, reevaluating them, living them out, achieving them, and then setting new ones. In all of these stages, we must remain humble and direct all the glory to God for anything and everything He allows us to accomplish.
What is God asking of you? What goals do you have? What virtues do you need to accomplish them?
Erica Mathews is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™Professional with Financial Counseling Associates, a small, family owned, independent, financial planning and investment management firm. She is passionate about helping families and individuals build their wealth so they can live out the calls God has placed on their hearts. As a wife, mom of four, and businesswomen, she understands the complexities of family life and helps relieve the burden of financial stress with organization, a plan, and automation so her clients hit their goals. She lives in Colorado with her husband and four kids. They love everything outdoors including gardening, hiking, biking and simply exploring nature. If you would like to reach out to Erica, her email is erica@fca-inc.com.