Financial Intelligence

"I am concerned that too many people are focused too much on money and not their greatest wealth, which is their education. If people are prepared to be flexible, keep an open mind and learn, they will grow richer and richer through the changes. If they think money will solve problems, I am afraid those people will have a rough ride. (Financial) Intelligence solves problems and produces money. Money without financial intelligence is money soon gone."

How important is financial intelligence in today's generation?

Have you noticed that a majority of students are being taught financial literacy (and oftentimes in a misguided way) only when they reach college or are enrolled in a prestigious university?

In fact, some people graduate with their diploma and still could not distinguish the difference between an asset and a liability - in simple and clear terms (not as defined by your banker or accountant).

It's as if money is shunned away and is treated as a forbidden topic. It's better to talk about math, English, any of the social sciences, politics maybe - but not money.

Ironically, they don't talk about it but most have to deal with it - and its scarcity - every day.

Perhaps that could be one of the reasons why many don't teach about it. It hurts just bringing up that topic when in their personal lives, they don't even know how to get out of their credit card debt, or maintain good standing by paying regularly their electric or water bills. There are other examples of course, but the point is obvious.

Financial intelligence is important because it helps a person (as early as I would say 6 or 7 years old) prepare for the practical things in life. For reality. We live in a world that is driven by money and that's a fact.

The sad thing however is, most children have only been taught to get good grades in school, enroll in a classy university, take up an excellent course, graduate with flying colors (e.g. summa cum laude, magna cum laude, etc.) and after that - get a high paying job... in order to ensure the consistent flow of money.

It's good in a way, but it's not sufficient. Have a look around and you'll agree with me. We have a society which is being controlled by money, instead of the opposite. People are doing overtime work and missing out on quality time with their family and loved ones - why? Because they lack money. They need money. They have to get more money to pay this and that and to accomplish this and that. It's a never-ending vicious cycle. Getting promoted, transferring to a better job with higher pay, or becoming the executive vice president may seem to be good goals - but it will never "cure" that vicious cycle of being controlled by money.

God's Word tells us to be "wise as serpents". Remember, money is not the root of all evil. The love of it is. So having a thorough understanding of money will greatly help one go through this life with the right perspective.