A Happy New Year to all!

Here’s my tip for 2011 and beyond: Walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and you will have the best years of your life.

I usually talk about financial principles in this blog site that are sound, logical and grounded in solid financial principles. I have been vocal against new age principles about wealth attraction because I know that it’s really financially unsound and I really doubt if it works anyway.

However, I will make one exception. To others, it may be ludicrous but for many, it is really one of the best ways to achieve prosperity – Generosity. The principle of generosity defies human logic and yet this is one of the true wonders of our lives. The popular saying “the more we give, the more we receive” is something many people will strongly testify for, myself included.

The principle of generosity may seem financially unsound to others but it is really rooted in a solid financial concept – the concept of investment. In investing, we make direct and indirect investments and both investments yields positive returns somehow, someway. Giving is like indirect investments – you don’t know how you will make a positive return but somehow, someway there will be some return in the future. The principle of generosity however, will differ from investment instruments with regard to yield as this principle will have unbelievable returns that defy mathematics.

I attended our Sunday service earlier at Victory Green Hills and our Pastor (Dennis Sy) preached on a biblical truth – reaping and sowing. We reap what we sow; such a simple principle yet there is so many of us who find this perplexing and we even disregard this as nonsense. I must admit that not too long ago, I was one of those who think that this principle is rubbish – perpetuated by those who manipulate people into giving or donating.

What changed my mind? Firstly, I became a reader of the Bible and have since believed and experienced that what the Bible says is the truth and saw many scriptures that encourages us and even commands us to be generous – from the Old Testament to the New.  Generosity is actually one of the resounding themes of the bible. Secondly, I heard and was convinced by the testimonies of those who practice generosity. Lastly, I personally experienced the truthfulness of this principle.

When it comes to the principle of generosity, don’t take my (or other people’s) word for it… try it wholeheartedly and decide if there is truth to such a principle. Here’s a tip – giving is always a heart issue and we must do it not because we are expecting to receive back. We practice generosity out of the overflow of the goodness in us and because we want to please the giver of everything we have, the Lord.

Many will say that they can’t give what they don’t have but let me remind you that we have already been given riches beyond our wildest imagination and are recepients of unfathomable generosity. Jesus Christ died for us, so that we may live.

Hmmm,  giving is not really financially unsound after all.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Luke 6:38

Today, my wife and I honor a very important lady that God blessed us with… our former boss, Ms. Amy Reyes.

About 17 years ago, my wife and I met Amy and she became one of our clients for our business (interior design/construction/furniture). As our project with her evolves, she started giving us good advise because she was a Certified Public Accountant and a Unit Manager in Sun Life then. She was able to convince me and my wife to try the insurance industry as a means to augment our falling income from a business that is draining us financially. After many months of trying to make our business work, I distinctly remember her talking to us about making a decision to close the business before it becomes worse than it already is. At that time, I really wanted for that business to work but she prevailed on me by making very logical arguments that were really financially sound.

Amy mentored me in many ways. From everything in the life insurance business to managing people,  leadership and her ideal professional ethics. When I was so engulfed in the business of making money out of selling insurance, she would gently remind me and say “Randell, mission first before commission”. Amy was also one of the very first persons who believed in me and started to trust me and always encouraging me. As a brash young adult then, it was a blessing having a seasoned mentor who would remind you to stay the course and not be drunk with whatever success you are presently experiencing. When the tides were low, she was always there encouraging me and my wife and helping us not lose hope.

Amy made us believe that we can be more than what we ever thought we can be. Always challenging us to take lead and doing better than what we have already accomplished. She not only ‘managed’ me, she c0-labored with me in many things that I had to do.

When the time came and our professional paths needed to go on different ways, she gave me her blessings and I knew she was praying for my successes in the new road I had to take.

Today, we remain to be dear friends and I am so happy to see how she has been growing financially, professionally and spiritually. She will always be our Tita Amy, a mentor, a co-worker, an adviser, a role model and a dear friend. Amy, we will not be where we are had the Lord did not put you in our lives.

Happy Birthday dear friend. We pray that Christ will always be in the center of your life. We love you!