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Many things about our natural lives conflict with our spiritual lives. Living by the spirit in a natural and often enticing world isn't easy. Even the apostle Paul confessed, "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate." (Romans 7:15 NLT) One of the challenges we have to contend with is wealth and how we, as Christians, should relate to it.
Read MoreThere's a real danger in Christianity today to believe that all it takes to be saved and enter the kingdom of heaven is to say a prayer. Don't get me wrong! The prayer of confession is absolutely necessary. But, the scripture says explicitly, "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Read MoreThe start of a new year is always a great motivator to improve your finances. It's one of the top goals for Americans each year and a worthy one considering the state of our economy, a looming recession, and the growing uncertainty of the future. Regardless of where you find yourself financially, these two components will ensure you succeed in managing your money well.
Read MoreThe time between Christmas and New Year's is slower for most. It's a time to sleep in, get cozy, watch a movie marathon, and enjoy some well-deserved rest. For me, it's also a time when I take inventory of the passing year and begin to look to the next.
Read MoreDo you have a difficult time saving money? Do you find yourself constantly having to rob your saving account to get through an emergency? You're not alone. The personal saving rate over the past few months has taken a nose-dive. Inflation has been a big factor, but it's hardly the reason for Americans’ historical lack of savings.
Read MoreThe holiday season is upon us. It's that wonderful time of the year. I love Christmas! But I must confess, I get a bit cynical because of the consumerism that accompanies this season.
Read MoreIf your year was anything like mine, then maybe you can’t believe it’s already almost over. When I’m not working for CSN, I’m balancing life with a preschooler and toddler - and though I thoroughly enjoy this season of life, it’s busy.
Read MoreSince the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, there's been a considerable amount of press on the economic woes of millennials. Comparisons between Generation Y and older generations have them at a considerable disadvantage. There's no doubt that millennials face some challenges, but is their economic outlook and long-term ability to do well really as bad as the talking heads predict?
Read MoreThe program year is already in full swing and, soon enough, you will be wrapping up another year of ministry. Now is the time to consider how you will engage your donors during this important giving season by encouraging tax-advantaged giving.
Read MoreIf you’ve been a Christian for a minute, you’ve been exposed to messages on giving to the church or requests to give to a capital campaign. There’s nothing wrong with messages on giving or fundraising for worthwhile ministry projects. The danger comes when giving is portrayed and communicated as a duty we Christians have to perform instead of a loving response to a God who’s been extravagantly generous to us.
Read MoreRemember when you learned to drive? You had to concentrate constantly on your steering, the foot pressure on the accelerator, and how much pressure to apply when breaking while constantly scanning your mirrors. It took intense focus, and having a drivers-ed teacher, or worse, a parent continually watching and judging your performance, it's a miracle you got through it! But you did get through it. After years of learning and gaining experience, you've developed a routine, a habit, that makes driving easy. The same can be true about developing good money habits.
Read MoreChristianity doesn’t insulate you from worldly problems. Most Christians, if asked, would say they agree with that statement. Yet, when faced with difficult situations, we act as if something bizarre and unexpected is happening to us. Some of us even go as far as questioning God’s faithfulness towards them, especially when faced with financial hardships.
Read MoreWe live in a fast-changing world. Those changes also impact churches. For instance, we have levels of inflation not seen in the last 40 years. Things ebb and flow, and what’s different today is unpredictability. It comes from rapid cultural change, shifting demographics, rapidly evolving technology, and an interdependent global economic climate.
Read MoreThere's little doubt that the past two years have significantly impacted The Church. Phrases like "pre-pandemic and post-pandemic" indicate new realities and how we're all trying to deal with them. Most noteworthy is the increase in apathy toward God and the relevance of The Church.
Read MoreTime and time again, we read in the Scriptures that wealth and riches are deceptive and dangerous. Jesus even goes as far as to say, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The Bible overwhelmingly conveys that this pursuit is dangerous, yet most of the world, including many Christians, is fixated on becoming rich.
Read MoreAt some point in our Christian walk, many of us come to a fork in the spiritual road where the Lord makes us aware that we’ve been asking Him to join us in what we are doing, rather than us joining Him in what He is doing. That’s often the uncomfortable bottom-line of the choice we have as Christians when making decisions.
Read MoreA friend recently asked me if she and her husband should buy an electric vehicle because the cost of driving his truck has risen to $700 per month due to higher gas prices. The recent rise in inflation is having a significant effect on American households, and everyone is scrambling to find ways to make their money go further.
Read MoreOne of the biggest challenges any stewardship ministry faces is the need to address the entire congregation regardless of financial standing. Some programs assume that all their participants struggle with debt; others assume that everyone has surplus to give. And likely, there are people in both of these camps in your congregation, as well as people between the extremes.
Read MoreJesus's story of the widow's mite in Luke 21 shows us we can't classify generosity or faithfulness by the amount people give. However, historical giving patterns can serve as a remarkably accurate ministry health check. Giving data can provide cues to your givers' well-being and the challenges in their lives and, thus, how you can best serve them. In fact, this is the most ethical use of your giver's historical data.
Read MorePerhaps you've heard the tale of the three bricklayers working on a project. When asked what they were making, the first said, "$18 an hour." The next replied, "We're making a wall to help support the roof." But the third said, "We're building a cathedral for worshipping God!" They were all engaged in the same task, but only one caught the bigger vision.
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