The Curse of Knowledge

In a 2016 study, Fortune magazine announced that two-thirds of Americans cannot pass a basic financial literacy test¹. Understandably, this statistic (and other equally abysmal ones), are prompting states to enact laws requiring students to take financial literacy classes.

But, as studies have also shown, proper education does not prompt behavior changes. In fact, in a society where an abundance of information is at our fingertips, it all insidiously becomes white noise.

Increasing financial knowledge is easy—but changing behavior is not. That’s why Ambassador Advisors believes that managing money is not an issue of ignorance, but an issue of perspective.

Our educational series Finding Significance teaches biblical financial principles as a foundation for how Christians should view money, and how to approach finances with God’s way in mind.

Stewardship is much more than just budgeting and financial planning. True money management begins when we recognize that all that we have ultimately belongs to God. Everything—even our money—has been entrusted to us, so that we can manage it, as responsible stewards.

Matthew 6:21 reminds us that “where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.” If we are focused on our finances and distracted by money woes, our behavior will mirror that fixation.

If, however, our hearts yearn for God’s wisdom, we will begin to view our money as a gift that He has entrusted to us, for us to manage.

Sources

¹ http://fortune.com/2016/07/12/financial-literacy/ 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/04/23/more-states-are-forcing-students-study-personal-finance-its-waste-time/?utm_term=.eaf13da0044f https://www.thecut.com/2014/07/awareness-is-overrated.html

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