In order to get ahead and succeed in life, you are going to have to learn to properly relate to this material realm. Remember, money is neither good nor bad—it's the love of money that is the root to all evil.

Therefore, as long as money is a fact of life, we might as well learn to relate to it and manage it properly. Here are several principles that are important to know about and act upon in order to help improve your financial well-being.

Five Obstacles You Must Overcome to Grow Financially
The Bible is clear that God delights in the prosperity of His servants (Ps. 35:27). Yet many of His children do not prosper in the area of their finances. Why? They have allowed at least one of five major obstacles to stand in their way of financial success.

1. Fear. Perhaps our greatest enemy is fear. Satan is the author of all fear, and too many Christians are afraid to take simple steps of faith with their money.
   
2. Doubt. Many Christians believe God wants to bless others, but not them. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), so speak God's Word boldly concerning your money.
   
3. Laziness. You will not gain in your finances if you do not have a diligent hand. You must work hard for God to bless you.
   
4. Arrogance. First Peter 5:5 says that God resists the proud. God will resist blessing you if you remain proud and unwilling to be taught.
   
5. Greed. If you are constantly grabbing and hold everything you get with a tight fist, then you will block His future provision.

Four Practical Things You Can Do to Learn How to Make Money
Growing in your ability to make money starts on the spiritual side. You listen to God, obey Him in tithes and offerings, and keep your heart focused on Him.

There are also some practical things you must discover along the way. Here are four important things you can do to learn more.

1. Find a successful businessperson in your church and ask the individual to take 2 or 3 one-hour meetings to mentor you.
   
2. Read books and listen to audio programs by proven, successful experts in the field of finances, investments, and budgeting.
   
3. Ask some businesspeople in your church to recommend a quality financial advisor or broker you can meet with. This person will help you understand how to save and invest wisely in the stock market.
   
4. Find a good friend who has an interest in finances and investing. "Iron sharpens iron" (Prov. 27:17 NIV), so share and discuss the things you are learning together.

Seven Common Denominators of Those Who Grow Rich
The book, "The Millionaire Next Door," documents that 80 percent of American's millionaires are first-generation rich. That means that they did not inherit their money but earned it on their own.

This book, and many others like it, tell us there are seven common denominators of those who have grown wealthy.

1. They spend much less than what they earn at work.
   
2. They are careful and strategic in putting their time, energy, and money to work in fruitful ways.
   
3. Their parents were not always there for them to be bailed out when in financial trouble.
   
4. They carefully selected the right job in a career they enjoyed.
   
5. They learned how to market and advertise their own abilities and products.
   
6. They teach their children to grow up financially self-sufficient.
   
7. They believe that being good stewards of their money is more important than buying things to show status with others.

Source: Every Teenager's Little Black Book On Cash
by Blaine Bartel
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers