Debt lures us in with a promise: You can have what you want NOW, and pay for it later. And you pay dearly. The typical American family has about $15,000 in credit card debt, which costs $2,700 in interest at a typical interest rate of 18 percent. And that’s just on credit cards. It does […]
Money gets a bad rap in some churches. The thinking goes something like this: Even though we ask for money every time we collect an offering, the truth is, we shouldn’t need it; we shouldn’t want it; we should be able to get by without it, just like Jesus did. After all, money is the root […]
Especially when it comes to finance, life seems to throw us one thing after another. And the bills pile up like February drifts of snow and we think we’ll NEVER pay off those credit cards! Take heart. It can be done, but it takes wisdom and discipline to shovel out of debt. Crosswalk.com has these tips!
A good steward understands that God is the grantor of all. Therefore, giving is important. When we give first, we are telling God we recognize that God alone is our provider. When we do that, everything else falls into place. So what are you going to do about tithing? From LifeWay. (Photo: Tax Credits, Creative Commons)
Earn, Borrow, Save and Protect — these are the five areas involved in managing personal finance, and you can learn all about them at MyMoney.gov, the website of the Federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission. Browse the site for information on smart banking investing and other topics. (Photo (c) Ariel Grimm, ShareAlike License)
Launching a stewardship ministry is just one way for your church to gain strength and vitality. This is what stewardship ministry is all about: Giving people practical tools to live life on purpose. I’m talking about finances, yes, but not just finances. We want our members to parent on purpose, love on purpose, and show up […]
Budgeting may not only improve one’s financial condition but also one’s happiness. Good budgeting is also connected to smarter spending. Check out this article and see how you can adjust your spending habits to yield more satisfaction with life. (Photo: taxcredits.net, Creative Commons)
When it comes to giving to the poor, why are Christians so miserable at it? The short answer is human nature, but the long answer has to do with one’s experiences with money. Generally , the more money people have, the less generous they are. Those who have experienced poverty are more likely to help. Here is an exploration, as well as some tips for developing your own generosity. (Photo: Steven Depolo, Creative Commons)
Scientists and church folk alike know that living a life of gratitude reaps benefits spiritually, mentally and physically. “Thankfulness releases us from anger and from materialism,” says Doris Whitaker, University of Mississippi Medical Center chaplain. “It helps us acknowledge that there’s something greater than us.” Here, with links to lots of other resources, are some ways to cultivate generosity.
Churches need money for ministry, but the needs of congregations today outpace the will of people to give, especially given the generational differences between “the great generation” and baby boomers, and then between baby boomers and millennials. As traditional funding sources are maxed out, There is one asset that nearly all churches possess—land. Why not look into a land-use policy that can help finance ministry? (Photo: Alejandro Rdguez, Creative Commons)
