One of the most important aspects of the financial services I provide to my clients is to go through an annual strategic review. One of the purposes of the review is to evaluate the client’s investment goals to make sure their portfolio is at the appropriate risk level for their situation, and to determine if we would recommend any changes to avoid unnecessary risk. Another important objective of the review is to update the client’s financial plan to assess if they are on the right track and to check progress on action items from past consultations.
When I speak to the client again, unfortunately, it is very common that no action has been taken from the prior discussion and because of the client’s inactivity, they are no more prepared for their financial future than when we spoke the first time. When I ask clients why they did not implement any of the recommended changes or make any progress our action plan, the most common responses are, “I didn’t have time” and, “I didn’t know if it was the right time.”
Time is a limited resource. Everyone gets the same 24 hours a day, but what differentiates some people from others is how they spend this precious resource.
In Romans 13:11, the apostle Paul states “And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now that when we first believed.”
Paul continues in verse 14 “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
Ask yourself, is your faith in a slumber of inactivity where you cannot make progress toward your goal? Is your eternal future taking on unnecessary risk?
If so, you need to be reconciled with Christ by being baptized into Him. To avoid the desires of the sinful nature, you need to clothe yourself with Christ and live each day controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit. Then the words of Christ will be in your mind, the love of Christ will be on your heart, and the power of Christ will be behind your actions.
