Within each of us lies the power of our consent to health and sickness, to riches and poverty, to freedom and to slavery. It is we who control these, and not another. Richard Bach

The Millionaire Next Door?

According to the Wall Street Journals 2009 ”Wealth Report,” there are still 2.5 million millionaires in the United States even after the recent financial and worldwide market crisis. Which essentially means nearly one out of every 122 people in the United States are millionaires. In their national bestseller, “The Millionaire Next Door,” Thomas Stanley, Ph.D. and co-author William Dank, Ph.D. make this amazing declaration, “Eighty percent of America’s millionaires are first-generation rich.” They go on to say that, two-thirds of the millionaires in America are self-employed. Furthermore…

  • Most (if not all) live well below their means.
  • Most (if not all) wear inexpensive suits and drive American-made cars.
  • Only a small minority drive the current-model-year automobile.
  • Most of their wives are meticulous budgeters.
  • Most have accumulated enough wealth to live without working for ten or more years.
  • Only one in five are college graduates even though all stress the importance of education.
  • Most work forty-five to fifty-five hours per week. Most invest 20% of their household income.
  • Most are homeowners (97%) who have occupied the same home for more than twenty years.
  • Most likely live next door rather than in some affluent upscale community.

So what about the old song and dance about “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” which makes the difference? So who do you know? Better yet… who are you living next door to and who is living next door to you? Who are you spending time with and who is spending time with you? Take a look at this.

Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces. Proverbs 13:20 MSG

Are You A Thermometer or a Thermostat?

I’ve always asked my students to ponder this question: Are you a thermometer or a thermostat? In other words, do you change the temperature in the room when you enter or do you simply record (keep track) of what’s already there? If you are one of those people who is a bit on the sheepish side, who would rather not rattle any gates or take risks, then it is very plausible that the person next door, not you, may be the potential millionaire next door. If that is the case then it might be wise for you to begin baking cookies and cakes today as a goodwill offering. However if you are the one who is putting in the time, energy and money to make your dreams happen then expect the knock on the door or the anonymous basket filled with goodies.

So Who Are You Walking With?

It is great to have long-time friendships from elementary school, high school or college but not if that person or persons are not moving in your same direction. One of more interesting observations in the Millionaire Next Door is the chapter dedicated to how one spends their time, energy and money. “People who become wealthy allocate their time, energy and money in ways consistent in enhancing their net worth.” There are those who were supposed to walk with you only so far. For there will always come a time when you will either out-pace them or outgrow them. And if you linger there, your life and purpose-driven momentum will all come to a screeching halt. Personally, I don’t believe in throwing people away or burning bridges. However, I’ve learned from strength training so many years that if I’m doing all the heavy lifting only one of us is going to get strong.

What Are You Studying?

You don’t have to be a student to study but you have to make yourself a student in order to make your dreams happen. This follows the kingdom law of Sowing and Reaping. The fact is we are always sowing and always reaping. It just depends on what we are sowing that ultimately determines what we reap. We are always studying. However what we study determines if we reap wisdom or folly. A fool by scriptural definition is anyone who purposely turns a deaf ear to instruction. None of us know-it-all which is why we must forever be students. But what we study is vastly more important than if we study.

This is Your Year saith the Lord!

If 2010 is going to be your year then it is not going to be who you know, but rather who knows you. For God tells us that “A city on hill cannot be hidden,” so this is your year to stop hiding. This is your year to fortify the temple in the city. This is your year to start studying. This is your year to work for Self. This is your year to consent to Health. This is your year to Live for others. This is your year to Love like there is no tomorrow. This is your year to become a Blessing to your neighbor, to step out of debt and lack, to become the Millionaire Next Door!