Did you hear a moose was sighted recently near Santa Fe?  Not an elk, nor a mule deer; a moose.

Roger Nagel

What are we to make of that?

That video clip on the nightly news of this big moose trotting down a paved road allegedly in the Santa Fe mountains caused me to chuckle. This was the first documented sighting in history of a moose this far south in the U.S.

I thought of the cartoon classic “Rocky and Bullwinkle.”

Then my skepticism and doubt set in. That moose could have been anywhere other than Santa Fe.

In fact, the surroundings were much like those of my first moose sighting in the wild, in Wyoming.

For whatever reason, as my unbelief got the best me, I began to reflect on two certainties we know most in life: Death and taxes.

That led me to think about the origins of the holiday season and another great animated classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” from 1965. As Linus reminded his friends of the meaning of Christmas, he read from the Holy Bible the words of an angel: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

In this world, we are certain to know death and taxes, even trials and tribulations. Believers in Christ rise above, looking beyond, hopeful and thinking of eternity.

You may be asking yourself, how is this relevant to finances?

Much of what I have written in this column for the past five years includes planning for death and taxes.

We have been living in a pandemic world that has accentuated death and taxes.

It ends up that the Holy Bible has much to say about this subject. More than 2,200 verses speak directly to money and possessions and how they may or may not affect our time on earth and thereafter.

Fourteen years ago, I was introduced to a trade association, of sorts, for financial professionals. Known as Kingdom Advisors, this organization endeavors to educate its members on the application of biblical principals in their respective specialties.

As an educational service, KA offers monthly study groups, conferences and a plethora of resource material to its members. It even offers certifications.

I am a member, a faithful participant and certificate holder. KA guides my thinking.

This is all part of my career goal to help build strong families.

Life on earth can be very difficult.

Raising a family, educating children, staying healthy while building a business or career for the nest egg that will help you endure retirement and prepare for your legacy… This is life on earth.

As we begin 2023, I hope you have enjoyed the holiday season with friends and family.

I wish you the best in making wise decisions for you and your family, your business and investments.

Have a happy New Year.

(Roger Nagel, CPA/PFS, CMA, CGMA, is the managing director of Nagel CPAs, LLC – Accountants and Advisors, serving the middle Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Learn more at nagelcpa.us.)