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Biblical Principles of Economics & Government

 Is God a Republican or Democrat? Is he a Free-Market Economist or a Closet-Socialist? The Lord has strong ideals and commands about how government and the economy should function. We cannot push Him into our boxes, but must submit our plans and beliefs to the authoritive Word of God. His Truth is more important than all of our ideas.

We are going to look at 7 Biblical Principles that apply to both government and economics in the next few columns. I realize that this will take several months, but I think this time will be valuable. I want to talk about government too because in our times, the governnment affects and directs the economy in numerous ways.

I would ask you to examine your heart in this area. Are you loyal to a party or to human wisdom. Ask the Lord to renew your mind with His Truth. Once you know what our Heavenly Father has to say, I challenge you to vote according to His principles. Please use your money and run your business according to biblical principles also.

Compulsive Spending

"I need to buy a new pair of shoes," I whispered to my friend, Laura.

After several negative events in my life, the most recent had been the final straw. I was feeling discouraged, sad and angry. But, I knew that shopping would make me feel better. Or, at least I thought it would make me feel better.

The dangerous thing about shopping is that it can make you feel good, just as eating chocolate can cause a lift in your emotions. However, this is a temporary feeling. A compulsive shopper experiences this emotional lift over and over until they crave it. Eventually, shopping becomes addictive and cause problems in personal finances, which can lead to marriage problems and other relational break downs.

This is how shopping becomes compulsive, and before we know it, we cannot stop spending money even when we want to. Maybe you are compulsive in small ways. Maybe you have to shop at certain times, for specific items, or during crisis situations.

Coping with Compulsive Spending

There are several things that you can do to control your compulsive spending.

• Get rid of your credit cards and use cash only
• Keep track of all your spending and try to figure out why you spend when you do
• Avoid temptation
• Understand the real reasons behind why you shop

 Why You Spend

The problem with plans to cope with compulsive spending is that it doesn't deal with root of the problem. Compulsive spending is an addiction. Like all addictions, they are so hard to break free from because they seem to have a life of their own.

Addictions help to dull pain, usually emotional pain. Whether it's drug abuse, pornography or shopping, an addict finds temporary relief from pain by indulging in the addiction.

Controlling Impulsive Spending

I had been adding my purchases up in my mind, while I shopped down one aisle after one another, trying to stick to my budget. With joy in my heart, I piled my carefully chosen items on the check out belt. After the last item -- a head of lettuce-- is safely on the belt, a Diet Coke catches my eye. I am thirsty, I suddenly realize. And the Diet Coke is cold. I give in a buy 20 ounces of soda for $1.39. I could have bought four times the Diet Coke -- for much for less -- if I had gone back to buy the 2 liter.

My daughter heads to Kohl's to buy a new pair of jeans and comes home with a pair of jeans, a belt, and three shirts. "There was a great sale!" she explains to her confused father.

"I picked up this home repair book on the way out of Lowe's," my husband says later with delight. We already had a similar book in our home library, but he seemed to have forgotten.

We all make impulsive purchases. Usually they is always something on sale or something near the check-out lane. My husband had a lawn business during his seminary years. After a long day, he was hot and thirsty and stopped every afternoon at 7-11 for a Gatorade. This added up quickly to more than our budget could handle. Solution? We bought Gatorade powder at Sam's Club and he took it in a thermos, saving us lots of money in return.

Figure out what tempts you to spend impulsively. Once you find this out, it will keep you spending responsibly.

Avoid Temptation

Avoid situations where you are prone to spend impulsively. For me, that means avoiding the mall because I see all kinds of clothing and accessories that I want to buy. For Mary, it means packing a bag lunch when she takes her children on a field trip so she is not tempted to drive through at a fast food restaurant. For Brad, it means not browsing through the music catalog that comes in the mail. For Don, it means avoiding that cool Skycraft store.

 

Make Shopping Lists

Shopping with a list will help you to avoid impulsive spending, but only if you are careful to stick to your list. Making a list can change your financial life. You can make a list and then edit it before you even get to the store. Remember that the opposite of being impulsive is to be planned and purposeful. Decide what you need before you are face to face with the temptation to buy something you don't really need.

Use Cash Rather than Credit or Debit Cards

Impulsive spending can lead to debt, especially if we pull out our credit cards when we decide at the last minute to make a purchase.

Shop for Everything at Once

This is my best weapon to avoid impulsive spending. I try to take care of as much as possible in a single shot. The other day, I went to Khol's to get Hunter a birthday present, so I decided to buy all the birthday presents I needed for the month of August. I came home with several clearance sale items for friends and family members. I had planned to shop for all the birthdays at once, keeping me too busy to even notice something that I could buy for myself.

Okay, I actually did find three shirts, but I put them back. After all, learning to stop impulsive spending is a process. We work at it, fall down, and get back up and try again. Don't give up the fight against this bad habit. Together we can do it!

 

 

Credit Card Wisdom

 "Another credit card offer," my daughter, a college senior reported, ripping up the entire envelope and tossing it into the garbage can.

I sighed, so thankful that she had not been enticed. Credit card companies target college students, giving them credit cards at an early age, to make them think that using a credit card is a normal part of the rest of their lives. Many college students not only graduate with student loan debt, but also graduate with credit card debt. What an awful way to begin life as an adult.

Through the years, I have watched people use credit cards in a destructive way, sabatoguing their financial goals with these little plastic rectangles.

Harm of Credit Cards

Credit cards entice us to buy things we don't need or can't afford. Betty sees a bathing suit she wants at the beginning of the season, but she doesn't have the money to buy it. Instead of praying about it, she puts it on the credit card, along with all kinds of other things she needs. Before too long, Betty doesn't really need all the things she has bought with her credit card, but she continues to pile up debts. What is really sad is that Betty is a Christian who knows what the Bible teaches about debt being foolish.

Betty's debt is escalating quickly because the interest rate on her credit card is so high. Credit cards have an extremely high interest rate.

Instead of using a credit card, pray and ask God to provide what you need or want. If He says, "Yes" to your request, then He will give you money or provide it directly. If not, He wants you to delay gratification.

Value of Credit Cards

Credit cards are nice to have when you don't really want to use cash or have to carry cash. I take a credit card with me when I travel so that I don't have to bring along much cash. If you purchase things online, you will often need a credit card.

Sometimes you can earn cash when you use your credit card to pay bills and purchase necessary items.

Be sure to pay your credit card bill IN FULL at the end of every month. Leave NO balance due. Credit cards have a window before you have to pay interest, so if you pay your balance off every month, you will never pay interest.

Should You Use Credit Cards in an Emergency?

Don't use credit cards unless you have the cash to pay your bill off at the end of the month. Your cash should be set aside as soon as you use the credit card. Even in an emergency situation, don't use a credit card if you don't have the money to pay the bill. 

We belong to Jesus! He can provide in emergencies. He doesn't need the help of a credit card.

Using Credit Cards Responsibly

If you think that you cannot use a credit card responsibily, then please don't get one. If you have one that you have misused, then repent and cut up your credit cards. Jesus tells us that if our eye causes us to sin, then gouge it out, (Matthew 5:29-30 NIV).

Use this principle with credit cards. If you can't use credit cards without going into debt, then get rid of them. Your life can be full without them. Put Jesus back on the throne and wait on Him to provide all your wants and needs! It is amazing to see how God provides, and gives Him all the glory in return.

 

Going to College Debt-Free

 "I don't know why I got into so much debt," my friend, Mike confided in me when I asked him why he was so down lately. I am so discouraged. "I wish I could go back and do things differently."

"How much are we talking?" I asked.

"$60,000.00"

Gulp. I didn't know what to say. As we chatted, I realized that his student loan payment was bigger than my mortgage payment.

Make Choice to Go to College Debt-Free

"We will not borrow money to go to college. We will not borrow money to send our children to college." This has been a mutual decision my husband and I made when we were engaged. After 27 years of marriage, we have been committed to this plan. Mike has gotten his Masters of Divinity debt-free, our oldest daughters have graduated debt-free from a private university, and my oldest daughter got her master's degree debt-free. We do not make a lot of money and we have a houseful of people to provide for. So, how did we do it?

Our decision to not borrow money for education is based on the Bible, which calls debt foolishness. If God considers debt foolish, then we do too. We are convinced that if God wants us to do something, he will provide the money for it. We place a large responsibility to pay for tuition on the student, though we do help, financially, some.

Start Own Business

My third daughter gives voice lessons to earn money for college. My teenage son has started a lawn business to save money for college. Starting a business is a great way for young people to earn money for college. Brian was always being asked to fix computers, so he started a computer business, focusing on college students who desperately needed their computers in working order.

AP/Dual Enrollment

High school students in public, private, or home schools can dual-enroll. A student can take these college credit clases during the junior and senior year to earn high school and college credit at the same time. AP classes in high school can also provide college credit.

Slower Pace to Work

College education can be slowed down so that the student can work. My friend, Sarah, worked as a hair stylist while she got her bachelor's degree. It took her 7 years instead of 4 to do this, but she is debt-free! The length of time to complete a degree may not be perfect, but being debt-free sure is.

Tips for Frugal Traveling

 

Traveling is one of my favorite things. I love airplanes, trains, and fast cars! Though spending my time travelling around the world would be a dream, I lack the funds necessary to do so. So, I must learn to travel frugally which includes shopping around for the best travel bargains.

Research

Research is the first step to travelling on the cheap. Start by googling the destination site, adding the words "cheap" or "frugal" or "affordable." I love checking out travel books from the public library too. They are full of beautiful pictures and helpful information.

Before traveling anywhere, read up on the place you want to visit in books and online. And then list all the places you want to see, researching these places too.

Teaching Teens About Debt

 
"Soon you'll be driving a big, black truck," I said to my fourteen-year-old friend.

"Not a truck," he replied, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll be driving a Jeep."

"A Jeep?"

"Yeah, I'm going to buy a Jeep."

"But first you'll learn to drive in your daddy's truck, right?" I asked, certain this was his thinking.

"No. My mom's going to help me get a loan so I can learn to drive in the jeep," he assured me.

"Oh no! Don't go into debt!" and I went on to explain the perils of debt and the wisdom of living debt-free.''

The teenage years are a time of idealism and hope. Most teens believe that they will grow up to have lots of money to be able to enjoy all the things they want in life. This is because they don't realize how expensive life is and only expect their money situation to get better and better as they age.

The exact opposite is true.

Financial Record Keeping

"Where is Mommy's bank statement?" Patty asked her two-year old toddler who was too busy gnawing on a table leg to answer her question.

Though unorganized, her husband was even more so and had left managing the finances to her. To put it mildly, their financial filing system was a disaster. When Mike and I tried to help them get a handle on where their money was going, we discovered forgotten bank accounts and a self-directed IRA that Patty had opened while she was working for a mortgage company.

My husband, a careful and precise record keeper, was appalled. But I reminded him that most people don't know what financial records to keep and where to store them.

Let me give you a few tips on getting your financial records started, stored, and how to maintain them.

Financial records, like legal documents are important to be able to get to when you need them. My answer to everything administrative is to make a folder.

Record Storage

Store your file folders in a file cabinet or file folder tote. Label each folder clearly in large lettering. File folders alphabetically or in an order that makes sense to you. We find old file cabinets at garage sales and buy folders in bulk at Office Depot: inexpensive but very effective.

Filing System

I am going to recommend something that we do in our home. Group your folders in sections based on temporary, annual, permanent, and dead storage.

Temporary folders will contain 6 month warranties, short-term loans (3-9 months) from parents, or even coupons or rebates that will expire within 6 months. If you are making payments for tuition, you might have a Tuition Payment folder in your temporary file system.

Annual folders in our home are mostly related to taxes. We have folders where we store information we will need at tax time. There are also annual taxes, like property taxes, that we have to pay once a year. In Florida, we have to renew our homestead exemption once a year which involves another folder in the annual section. There are also taxes and registrations that we have to pay the government for our business- more folders in the annual folder system!

What Should I Do with My Tax Return?

"We are going out to Outback for dinner tonight," Sue mentioned cheerfully while we were working in the nursery together one Sunday morning.

I must have had a surprised look on my face because she quickly added, "We just got our tax return."

I pressed my lips together. Mike and I had done several financial counseling sessions with Sue, and her husband, Bob. They were constantly spending more money than they had, landing in debt to creditors and family members. Each year, I watched their tax return disappear in days, always going toward things I would consider frivolous.

But, how people spend their tax return is their own business, isn't it?

Maybe not. How we spend our money is always God's business too. So how can we honor the Lord by how we spend our tax return?

 How should I spend my tax return?

Your tax return should be spent as prayerfully and carefully as you spend the rest of your income. This is money you have paid the government, or your employer has paid the government for you, not a windfall of free money. As with all things financial, your tax return belongs to the Lord.

Should I tithe from my tax return?

That depends on whether you tithe from your gross or net income. Your gross income is the money you make before the U.S. government takes its cut through taxes. Net income is your income after taxes are paid. If you are self-employed, you are more likely to tithe from your gross income before you pay your taxes. The return you get has already been tithed from, but you might give an offering.

If you work for a company, you probably don't even see your gross income because the company pays the taxes you owe to the government before they write your paycheck. If you tithe from your net income, then you should tithe from your tax refund.

Should I pay off debt with my tax return?

This is a great way to spend your tax return. If you don't need to use this money to pay bills, you should pay off debt with your tax refund. You can throw a large chunk of money at debt, making a huge difference toward the process of becoming debt-free. If you are paying a mortgage on your home, consider putting some or all of your tax refund toward paying off you house. For many Christians, a mortgage is their only debt. What a great way to work toward being completely debt-free.

The Adversary in Advertising

"Just do it!" Nike shouts! Do what? you wonder, confused at their command. "I'm loving it!" Mc Donald's declares. But, loving what?  From billboards to glossy magazine pages, from sides of buses to television commercials, advertising slogans dazzle and repel us.

The Power of Advertising

We live in a culture heavily influenced by advertising. It drives our holiday celebrations, influences our standard of living and shapes our desires and dreams.

Advertising in America dictates when we decorate for Christmas, what foods we serve at Easter dinner, and what defines an acceptable St. Valentine's Day present. If "all kisses begin with Kay Jewelers," then does the poor husband get no kisses? If using Crest toothpaste will get us the gorgeous girl or guy, then should we even think about another brand?

New products entice us through their promotional ads. Suddenly, with a simple blurb of flash and color, we need something that up until this point, we didn't even know existed! 

Extravagant Living - Part 2

We talked about God's abundance in Extravagant Living -Part 1, and it is a reminder to us that God owns it all, He wants it all, and He is more than faithful. We also discussed letting Christ speak to us through provision and lack of provision.

Let's talk some more about enjoying the lavish blessings of the Lord. I want to enjoy extravagant living!

Stick with the Plan

"It would make more financial sense to let the bank foreclose on my house," my friend, Jack declared and went on to explain why.

"What do you think?" Amy asked, glancing at me when Jack was finished with his logical reasoning.

"It's a lack of integrity," I replied immediately. "Christians pay off their debts and keep their word."

Financial principles don't change with the times or economic cycles. They are consistent. God wants us to have integrity, keeping our word and commitments in all areas of life, and this includes our finances. If we borrow money, promising to pay it back, then we pay that money back. Our yes is yes!

God's methods of handling finances work! But, more importantly, they are His commands to be obeyed. Don't forget His principles for managing money.

• Tithe first
• Hard work is God's method of provision
• Give generously of time, resources, talent, and money
• Stick to a budget
• Be kind to the poor
• Save for the future
• Care for family's needs, including older relatives (not government's responsibility)
• Invest wisely

Extravagant Living - Part I

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment," (I Timothy 6:17 NIV).

God Owns it All!

There are many times we look at our financial situation and think that a specific standard of living will make us happy. We pursue financial goals using biblical principles, we tithe, give, stick to a budget, and stay out of debt so that we can enjoy an affluent lifestyle. Then, when we struggle financially, this takes us by surprise and often makes us angry.

God has a different perspective than we do about this. He is more concerned about our character than our comfort because He is forming Christ within us. In His eyes, everything belongs to Him. We belong to Him, our money belongs to Him, and our stuff belongs to Him. His desire is to use these things for His glory.

God's heart also wants to bless us! He gives us things to richly enjoy and has the freedom to do what is best in our lives, without asking our permission. Our family's standard of living has remained consistent throughout our married life while our income has varied greatly. When there is more month at the end of the money, the Lord provides supernaturally.

God Wants it All!

Extravagant living begins with surrender. Acknowledge that everything you are and everything you own is His. He doesn not want competition in your heart. Fully surrender to His Lordship!

Extravagant living is not what we have, but what is in our hearts. And a heart that is surrendered to Him, bubbles with joy. 

Where to Invest Your Money - Part 2

Last time in Where to Invest Your Money - Part 1, we discussed investing in the Kingdom of God, your dreams, other people, and a home business. This time, we're going to talk about literal investments and where to place our money so it can grow.

Invest in Stocks

My grandparents invested in stocks and lived off stock dividends when they retired. My father  invested in some unknown companies in his younger years: Intel, Microsoft, and Home Depot. Those investments carried large returns for my parents.

Purchasing stock in a company is like buying a tiny part of the company. If the company is successful, you will get a portion of the profits in the form of dividends. Ideally, you want to buy low and sell high for short term. But even better, invest in stable companies for the long haul.

When you invest in stocks, you can go online to buy stocks directly or you can purchase them through a stockbroker. Either way, you will pay a small commission fee. Your stock portfolio (collection of stocks) should contain a variety of stocks from different business sectors. My portfolio contains oil, pharmaceuticals, technology, electric companies, retail, and transportation. I prefer good, solid companies, or new companies that hold promise for the future.

Where to Invest Your Money - Part I

God provides financial surplus so that we can save for the future, give to the needy around us and invest. The purpose of investing money is to grow your money or to produce an income. But, if we decide to invest our money, where should we allocate it?

Invest in the Kingdom of God

We are told by Jesus to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and that where we place our treasure reveals where our heart is too (Matthew 6:31). Since we should not serve money as a master, or seek to grow rich (I Timothy 6:10), but we can use money to serve the Lord by investing in the Kingdom of God: supporting missionaries, tithing to our local church, giving to the poor in Jesus' Name, supporting Christian ministries, and blessing Crisis Pregnancy Centers. These are all ways we can invest in the Kingdom of God.

When my husband, Mike was a young man planning to go to seminary to answer the call of God on his life, an older man invested in the Kingdom of God by investing in Mike. He gave him a sales job with a generous base pay and commission. This money paid tuition at seminary; the beginning of a lifetime of ministry. Not only was this man investing in the Kingdom of God, he was investing in my husband's dreams!

Invest in Your Dreams

We invested in my husband's dreams too. Before we had children, we both worked. But, Mike and I lived off of his income and saved mine. We put the money in savings, along with the extra money Mike earned, to use during our seminary years. We could have lived extravagantly during those early years of marriage, but instead we were very frugal so that we could invest in Mike's dream.

God puts dreams into our hearts. Invest in making those dreams come true. Do you have a dream to paint? Invest in painting lessons. Is it your ambition to write a book? Invest in software to help with the layout. Is your dream to fly a plane? Even though flying lessons are expensive, you can put a little aside each month until you have the money to invest in your aviation dream. We can invest in our dreams!

Getting out of Debt

Are you in debt?

It may simply be a mortgage on your home or a few medical bills. Or you may have several credit cards that are maxed out. Maybe you owe your parents or in-laws money.

Whatever it is, it's wise to get out of debt as quickly as you can.

"Let no debt remain outstanding except for the continuing debt to love one another" (Romans 13:8 NIV).

Here are some easy ways to get out of debt.

Cancel the Credit Card

Credit cards are so tempting. Yes, many people use them and pay them off each month. But, if you are in debt, then it is probably wiser cut your credit cards in half or freeze them, until you pay off the debt. Even better, make a call to the credit card company and cancel your card.

Back to Basics for the New Year

"We won't have any money for Christmas this year," Mike informed me in the middle of November. "I don't even know if we'll have grocery money."

This is what my husband told me a few months ago and wow, weren't those inconvenient words! Keep in mind that ten people live in our house, so the absence of money for food wasn't to be taken lightly.

Mike and I lived below the poverty line for years while he was in seminary and even for a few years afterward. We scrimped and saved our pennies, shopped for presents at the Dollar Store and lived on as little as possible. We never paid bills late or used government assistance because God always came through -- even though sometimes it was at the very last minute!

Fast forward to today and our business income has plummeted. Not only is the down economy affecting us, but new regulations from the EPA make things more complicated. We're  back to scrimping like the old days. What's even more frustrating is that we are not alone. We know friends who used to bring home six-figures, who are now delivering pizzas -- but with a thankful heart. 

A Testimony of God's Faithfulness

With the economy in shambles and our government running up the national debt, we are in need of some financial hope for Christmas. This year, we are cutting coupons, making gifts instead of buying them and doing our best to simplify Christmas. Some of you are thanking God for your family's employment and others are praying hard for a job.

Melanie is in my spinning class at the Y. We have been praying for her husband's employment for almost a year. Because of this, she and her husband Stormy have learned a great deal about God about His plan for their lives in 2010.

Meredith: Melanie, you encouraged me so much last week in spinning class with your testimony of God's faithfulness to your family. Thank you for sharing the story with me again today. Can you give a summary of the last couple of years to bring us up-to-date?

Melanie: I would be happy to! 2 1/2 years ago, my husband's job ended and he was offered 2 jobs to choose from. Stormy and I planned and chose the one with the most investment money behind the company and the longer projected outlook. We intended to take the job that looked the most secure, so he took a job with a hotel development company. This new company had a 25-year lease with the state of Georgia to revitalize Jekyll Island with a new convention center, retail stores and condominiums - plenty to keep Stormy busy for the next 5-7 years. We had our plans!

Giving Thanks in All Financial Situations

 

Thanksgiving is almost here; that wonderful day where we stuff ourselves with delicious food, gab and wash dishes with our aunts in the kitchen, while the men watch football ... and eat. It's a time to gather, ask the Lord's blessing and to praise Him for all the blessings he has given.

My family likes to add a little bit of meaning to this holiday by taking turns before the meal to list what we are thankful for. There are often tears and hugs as each speak. It is a great way to remember why we celebrate Thanksgiving and a perfect time to stop and count our blessings.

Can We Give Thanks?

Though we are all thankful to have a home, pay our bills and live the day-to-day without much worry, I have rarely heard anyone talk of money around our Thanksgiving table. Instead, we talk about family, friends and precious memories.

I am convinced that our attitude toward money is important to God. After all, He spends a lot of time in Scripture talking about it. If you are struggling financially this holiday season, then most of us can relate to that. My husband's business income is down 25% since 2007 and it hasn't picked up yet.

Yet, we have seen God miraculously provide through these years and we praise Him, especially with 10 family members living under our roof and 3 children in college.

Am I thankful for our financial downturn in 2007? That's a tough question. I kept waiting for things to pick up, but the economy has been on the decline since then. I had high hopes after the election, but the very next day, the Federal Reserve monetized 600 billion dollars of our government's debt! I can't help but wonder: Will God bless us after that move?

Is God Blessing Us?

Regardless of our government printing worthless money, people of God who keep their walk grounded in financial integrity will experience His blessing. It doesn't matter what our government is up to or what judgment our nation experiences, God is not limited by what surrounds our family.

Making the Holidays Fun and Affordable

Dear friends, November is here already! It's time to buy, buy, buy and shop, shop, shop. Or, is it not? If you're like me, this holiday season finds me with a lot less money in my wallet. Because of the economic down turn, I have had to modify my spending.

Does this worry me? Not at all. Instead, I am trusting God to make this the best celebration ever -- only, less expensive. Here are a few ways to help make your upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas both memorable and cost-effective.

Stock Up

I have tried to set money aside for holiday spending, even though there has been very little extra. But when there is, baking goods and easy-to-pop-in-the-freezer things are great to stock up on. I plan on buying a turkey this week, but will also purchase another one when Thanksgiving is close and the deals are even better

Since I have been doing holiday baking and cooking for 26 years, there is a permanent list in my head from which I shop. But, if you have trouble remembering all the items you need for holiday cooking, make a list and keep it in your wallet. As you stock up, watch for sales, use coupons and compare prices.  

Budgeting for the Holidays

It's almost time for Thanksgiving and Christmas, my favorite time of year. Unfortunately, it is also an expensive time of year. How can you prepare ahead financially for the coming holidays?

Put it on Paper

We can spend TONS of money at the holidays, always more than I think we will. Money seems to flow out of our wallets at the speed of light.  You probably find yourself spending money on food, goodies, drinks, travel, clothing, shoes, film, cards, stamps, costumes, stocking stuffers, DVDs, music, and more.

Write down everything you spend money on during the holiday season. Don't think "best case scenario"--be realistic! You know where your self-control ends and what you are truly willing to sacrifice. Next to each item on your list, estimate how much money will be spent. Then total it up. That is probably the minumum of what you will spend.

Time to Pray

God cares about your holiday plans. Lift up your list to him and ask Him to both provide and prune. If you do not have money to spend on the holidays, ask for miraculous provision. Also ask Him to show you what you can do without or show you a realistic substititute.

If you pray for rain, you should get out your umbrella. If you pray for provision, you should be on the look out for coupons, free items from friends, extra money floating in, and all kinds of amazing ways that God provides. He is so good.

Saving for the Future

The tyranny of the urgent often keeps us from even thinking about, much less preparing for, the future. We are commanded in Scripture to plan and prepare for the future, especially our eternal future in Heaven with Jesus.

Ants and People!

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lay there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man," (Proverbs 6:6-11 NIV).

Let's look at ants, , ,yes, ants! Ants are busy little creatures, gathering their food for the long winter. They don't have a taskmaster making them work so hard. God has put it into their little hearts to gather provisions.

To save for the future requires us to work hard too. No one will stand over you, crack the whip, and force you to store money away for future needs and possible calamities. This is a choice you must make for yourself and your family.

If you shrug off the idea of saving for your future, you will come across trouble or financial hard times (we all do) and find that you have no way to take care of yourself. Just as a thief comes unexpectedly, poverty, or lack of finances, will suddenly appear without warning if you are not prepared.

Cars breaking down, appliances dying, expensive medical tests, and other financial "surprises" should not really surprise us. Cars, appliances, and equipment eventually will need to be replaced. We must plan ahead to meet these financial needs. This should be part of our budget.

Our children will grow up and go to college and get married. Those things will cost money. If we want to take a vacation, it will cost money too. Again, we must plan for these things.

Feeding Your Family

It's probably safe to say that most of us love food, and that some of our happiest memories are associated with delicious meals. Yet, while we all want to eat right, healthy food can be expensive. So how do we enjoy food, eat healthy, and save money at the same time?

Let's look at some practical ways to both cut our food budget and still eat well.

Cook at Home

Cooking at home, instead of eating out, is the number one way to spend less. Pack your lunch instead of eating at a restaurant or fast food place. When you do want to eat out, try clipping coupons or taking advantage of specials.

Eating at home for dinner not only provides healthier, less expensive meals, but also fosters close family relationships.

Shop the Sales

Get in the habit of reading the weekly sales advertisements in the newspaper or mail; make your shopping list based on these bargains. If fish is on sale, choose that for one of your upcoming meals. Use the price breaks as an oppotunity to stock up on nonperishables, such as rice, flour, pasta, and other pantry items or foods that freeze well like butter, meats, and cheeses.

Making Financial Decisions

 

"We don't need a new car!" Mary slammed the bedroom door on her way out. She didn't care if the kids heard their argument. She was sick of his childish ways of managing their finances. They were about to lose their house and Mark was talking about buying a new car.

Mark watched Mary stomp out the door and shook his head. She was such a rebellious wife. And, she certainly didn't trust God to take care of them.

Financial decisions can be emotional. When we make these decisions with our spouse, we  find ourselves with two completely different perspectives. How can we make wise financial decisions?

Moral Decisions

Moral decisions are based on right and wrong. We chose to obey God or disobey God. We can rationalize choosing the wrong, but it is still wrong and deep inside we know it. The Bible teaches us to work hard, avoid debt, store money away for the future, tithe, give generously to the poor, and take care of the financial needs of their families.

Deciding between working hard or being lazy is a moral decision. The decision to go into debt for new furniture or save up for it is a moral decision. Another moral choice would be tithing or not tithing.

For some of us, moral decisions are easy. For other Christians, there can be a struggle between right and wrong. Let's make a choice to read the Bible and obey it! This will make moral financial decisions easy.

Tithing New Testament Style II

"You look great!" Sally gushed. "You look so happy! What is going on in your life?"

"The Lord has been so good to us! Listen to what He did. . ." Anne related a testimony of God's supernatural provision.

Sally listened and smiled.

"We just started tithing six months ago and it's changed everything for us.  Not just financially." Anne continued to share with Sally how Christ was changing her life and her husband's life.

Tithing is an act of discipline and worship for the believer in Jesus. We talked last time about tithing in Tithing New Testament Style I, reminding us that everything belongs to God and we are simply stewards of His things and money. We also talked about investing in our Heavenly bank account. I love tithing because to me, it is like giving a present to the Lord. I just love giving gifts, so tithing is fun for me.

Wouldn't it be great to go shopping for the Lord? "I'll take two camels, please, and a yacht! Could you gift wrap that, please?" Of course, shopping for the Lord would be so difficult. He owns everything already. What do you give someone who has everything? That is our question as we examine the act of tithing. 

Worship is the act ascribing worth and honor to God by acknowledging Him and giving to Him. We lift Him up in our thoughts and behavior.

Tithing is a way of giving a gift to the Lord. Worship is the act of giving to the Lord. We give Him a song when we sing. But the real gift is the heart behind the singing of the song. When we sing as an act of worship, we give Him our heart.

We worship by giving gifts of money to the Lord with tithes and offerings.

"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name. Bring an offering and come into His courts," (Psalm 96:8, NIV).

Gleaning

 

They were back in Israel after a long journey. There was no money left and enough food for one more meal. Ruth tried not to think of her hometown in Moab, but she felt a little scared. She had promised her mother-in-law, Naomi, that she would never leave her, she had chosen to follow the God of Israel, and had trusted Him to take care of the two of them. Had God brought them this far to die?

"I will go get a job," Ruth announced the next morning. She was putting on a brave front, but inside she doubted that anyone would hire a foreigner.

That morning, Naomi patiently explained the gleaning laws to Ruth. Ruth relaxed and set off for the field of Boaz, a member of Naomi's family. She would glean in his field and there would be plenty of food for both women. 

What is Gleaning?

"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien.  I am the Lord your God," Leviticus 19:9-10 NIV.

The gleaning law fascinates me! It is so creative and makes so much sense. What a great way to take care of the poor and unemployed.  

Walk on Water, Part II

Let's continue our interview with Roxane from last time. Roxane shared with us how she started her business in Walk on Water, Part I.

Meredith: I love that you call your employees, associates. This title conveys respect and appreciation. What can you recommend to other business owners about getting along with your associates?

Roxane: We follow the Golden Rule and treat our associates with great respect. They represent Walk on Water, being the front line of who the customer sees. I love my team! I have them to my home for a huge Christmas party every year where they are honored, given gifts, and acknowledged in front of each other for the wonderful gifts and talents they have. They bring their husbands. We have a wonderful time of dinner and fellowship together. My advise is to treat your employees with respect and love. Remember, your roles could be reversed one day, so treat them the way you would want to be treated.

Meredith: Your store is generous in donating to charities. Why do you do what you do? What fruit have you seen from this?

Roxane: We know that the store is the Lord's store and everything in it is His. We are to be good stewards of what He has given us.

Walk on Water, Part I

Roxane is my spinning instructor at the Longwood/Lake Mary YMCA. Each Tuesday morning, she leads our Christian spin class into the Presence of God with Christian music, prayer, and carefully chosen Scripture passages. But, Roxane is also a godly wife, doting mother, and owner of Walk on Water, an upscale clothing boutique, offering fashionable clothing, handbags, shoes, and jewelry. Roxane carries a selection of Brighton, Vera Bradley, Pandora & Yellow Box Shoes at her lovely store. She generously gives to charity and proclaims Christ throughout her life, including her business.

I wish you could meet Roxane in person. You would love her! I'd like to introduce you to her right now. Let's learn from our dear sister in Christ. Roxane has wisdom for those wishing to start their own business and carefully balance the demands of family, home, and business.

Meredith: Roxane, why did you start Walk on Water?

Roxane: Through a long journey God directed us to this amazing opportunity to open a store that would glorify Him and help those in need. After seventeen years working with a family retail business, we were able to agree to sell that business to a national chain. I realized I was working for a paycheck and not for God's purposes. When Jesus came into my heart, I understood the priority of putting Him first, my husband second.

Through God's blessing, we were able to have our precious son after twelve years of marriage. I was able to take many Bible studies and grow in God's Word through this time. When my son entered the first grade, God started moving my heart to take a business affinity course that would teach me how to run a business using godly principles.

Up and Down, Around and Around II

Let's finish talking about a healthy economy's cycles of growing and recessing. We talked about the first two phases, Expansion and Prosperity, last time in Up and Down, Around and Around I. Let's move on to the last two phases.

Contraction

This is a period of economic decline. Prices drop. Sales slow down, people are buying less, and families start tightening their belts. This is a time where unsuccessful businesses must make hard decisions. Inefficient business practices must change or the business could fold. Marketing practices are analyzed. New ways to improve the product are discovered.

Polly's business is struggling. She has to let two of her employees go. She gives them six months notice and allows them one day a week to look for another job. She finds a cheaper place to purchase zippers and buttons, freeing up some money to fix two of her sewing machines. She asks her employees to help her come up with improvements that will make her clothing more marketable. One of her seamstresses has an advertising idea that becomes very popular. Sales increase and she hires back the employees she had to let go. Polly made wise use of her season of contraction.

Sometimes a season of contraction happens in a business or family because they are cutting back to save for the next season of growth. Unnecessary expenses are purged and frivolous pursuits are abandoned.

Up and Down, Around and Around

Understanding economics is just not that difficult. If the word economics sends shivers down your spine, then review my last article Economics 101. Today we are going to talk about what a healthy economy looks like.

A healthy economy is not always growing, rather it goes through cycles of growing and recessing. This normal cycle is the result of many things, including the need for businesses and people to save money for seasons of spending. Let's look a normal economic cycle.

What factors are used to determine each stage?

• GNP (Gross Domestic Product) (How much stuff a nation is producing)
• Interest rates (How much interest banks are charging because so many people are in debt)
• Unemployment rates (How many people are out of work and how many people have jobs)
• Consumer spending (How much money people are spending)

In the Garden of Eden, Adam had a job, but it was an easy work--taking care of the garden and the animals. There was plenty to eat, a rent-free place to live, and wholesome fun to participate in for free. Since the fruit-incident, mankind must get a job and work hard to take care of needs (food, clothing, shelter) and wants (cars, phones, vacations, computers).

Economics 101

"Well Brian keeps the economy humming," I giggled to my husband as we talked late one evening. Our friend, Brian, had dropped in to show us his latest purchases that included a dart gun, a music CD, and a new amp for his guitar.

Where the money came from was a mystery. He worked for Khol's, drove a motorcycle, and lived in his own house. His checking account hovered near zero and he doesn't have a savings account.

We are told by politicians that people spending money is a sign of a "healthy economy." But is it? What is a healthy economy in God's eyes? And what is economics anyway?

Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services according to Webster's dictionary. Goods are products such as televisions, ships, jeans, jewelry, ice cream, or bikes. Services include hair styling, banking, cleaning, interior decorating, or teaching. People make, sell, and buy goods and services day in and day out. In the process of all this producing, selling, and buying, money is exchanged. That's why we study money, inflation, debt, and interest too.

You see, economics is simple. It is just studying what people make and do and how those things are sold. Daily life is full of buying things. We go to work and produce things (goods) or do things (services) to make money.

Bartering

Mary's parents bought her a new washing machine, even though the old one worked fine. What she really needed was shoes and clothing for her children. Betsy desperately needed a washing machine that was reliable and she had an abundance of clothing and shoes in good condition that would fit Mary's children. Mary traded her old washing machine for "gently-used" clothing and shoes for her children.

Sarah needed help with her taxes. Laura needed her hair cut, colored, and styled, but could not afford it. They decided to trade! Mike needed some work done on his car that he didn't have the time or ability to do. Tim needed help updating his resume because he was out of work and looking for a job. Mike's wife, Maggie updated Tim's resume for him and Tim fixed Mike's car.

John and Karen needed some repair work done on the their house, but there was no money to pay someone to do it. Cole had a pile of clothing that needed mending and a daughter that needed a ride to work each day. Since his daughter worked near Karen, Karen gave her a ride and also did the mending. Cole was happy to do the repair work that John and Karen needed done.

What is Bartering?

If you are like many Americans, your paycheck is getting smaller or maybe you find yourself without a job right now. Bartering might be one of the solutions to the problem of less money available to spend on your family's needs. Bartering is a way to get what you need without spending money, while at the same time sharing your talents and resources with others.

Healthy Banking

"Do you think Pastor Mike would give us some money to cover a bounced check from the church's benevolence fund?" the young man finally stammered, after his wife had spend two whole minutes glaring at him. There was tension in the air.

"I can't really answer for him," I responded, adroitly passing the buck to my husband. "What happened? Do you want to talk about it?"

Of course, they wanted to talk about it. Both husband and wife blamed the other for the financial mismanagement with venom in their voices. Had they just two years earlier promised to honor and cherish one another? I had been at their wedding. My mind began to wander and I forced myself to focus back on the louder of the two voices who were both speaking at once.

"I called the bank to see how much was in our account..."

"Why did you call the bank?" I interrupted. "Why not look in your checkbook register?"

This shut them both up instantly and a look of confusion clouded the two young faces.

I was shocked! This young couple wrote out checks and used their debit card, but did not record anything in their check book register. They depended on phone calls or online investigations to check on their account balance. What about outstanding checks? What about lag time between using the card and money leaving the bank account.

My mother raised me proper! At least when it came to keeping my check book. She taught me how to write out a check, record all transactions in the check book register, and keep a running total. She also put the fear of God into my soul. I would not dream of failing to enter a check and subtract it in the register.

Imagine my surprise to find out that many Americans do not use their check book registers. If only they had been raised by my mother! Here are some practical tips to healthy banking.

How God Provides

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

We all know that God promises to provide for us, to meet all our needs. But just what does that look like in our life? How does He supply?

God Provides through Paychecks

This is a "no-brain-er." The Lord allows us to have a job that pays us enough money to pay our bills. He also provides opportunities and ideas to bring in extra money through side jobs or starting our own business.

Remember that the Biblical work week is six days, sun-up to sun-down. Many times a second job is necessary to make ends meet, while still working less hours than the Scriptural work week!

God Provides through Family

"Since we're here visiting, let me take you grocery shopping," my mom offered.

I swallowed back the tears that were springing to my eyes. We had little food left in the house and no money until the first of the month. My mom took me to Food Lion and filled the car with food, cleaning supplies, paper goods, toiletries, and special treats that we hadn't enjoyed since their last visit.

She also bought us clothing throughout Mike's seminary years. "I just couldn't resist," she would say with a grin. But we both knew the truth. Since when is a package of men's socks irresistible?

What God Promises to Provide

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

We all know that God promises to provide for us, to supply all our needs. But just what does that look like in our life? What needs is this verse talking about?

What God Promises to Provide & The Concept of Profit

According to First Timothy 6:8, we are to be content with having food and clothing. Jesus also promises provision of food and clothing in Matthew 6:25-34 if we seek His Kingdom first. Food and clothing? We certainly need a lot more than that!

"What about housing, cars, cell phones, and vacations?," you ask.

That is extra blessing that is provided by surplus money, or what the Bible calls profit. God provides extras through your personal hard work. When it says that God supplies our needs, He is promising to provide food and clothing for us. Not that God is limited to only this provision. He also provides shelter, transportation, ways to communicate, and times of refreshing, but He is not limited by our definition of "what is best for us" or "what we really need." These things are most often the reward of hard work.

Does God Care about Money?

Does God care about money? 

I don't know how to answer that question because I cannot fully understand the heart of God. But, looking carefully at the evidence in Scripture, I notice that Jesus taught about money often in His parables and sermons. Paul had a lot to say about money too. Proverbs is full of wisdom for handling money.

God may not care a lot about money. After all, everything belongs to Him! He doesn't need money or anything money can buy. But, He certainly cares about how people He handle their money. The Lord cares about how men, woman and children feel about money.

"No servant can be devoted to two masters. Either he will hate the one and be devoted to the other; or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Luke 16:13 NIV).

God cares who we are serving. Are we devoting our energy, time, and ambition to making lots of money or having an expensive lifestyle? Or, are we seeking after God and His Kingdom with every bit of strength we possess.

Money is a distraction for many Christians, keeping them from fulfilling their God-given destiny. Instead of walking in God's call on her life, the carnal Christian is distracted by cares of the world. Many times worries make us seek after money instead of Jesus.

Economic Survival Skills

If we were forced to live off the land, certain skills would help us survive. Starting a fire to keep warm, using plants for food and medicine, catching food to eat, purifying water for drinking, and building a shelter would all help us live longer in primitive conditions.

What about economic survival skills? Are there things that you can do to survive rough economic times?

Start a Fire to Keep Warm

Don't let your heart grow cold. God's Word is still true and so are His promises. Just because we are in a recession doesn't mean that biblical principles stop working. Continue to obey God's timeless principles (tithing, giving, saving, budgeting, contentment, thankfulness) and stand on His promises.

Make declarations each morning to stir up your faith. When Mike and I were entering our fifth year of financial difficulties years ago, I began making financial declarations. I simply inserted our names into the following passages and read them aloud each morning in a personalized way. Soon my faith was soaring, affecting my prayer life, and our financial situation began to turn around in just six months. Yes, for years (not days or weeks), I made these declarations, standing on His promises.

Why Finances Trip Us Up

We can get a handle on everything in our lives, except finances and chocolate. Why is that?

Chocolate, smooth and creamy, stimulates endorphins and satisfies our need for sugar and iron. How can anyone doubt the life is good when biting into a rich dark chocolate bar? Yes, it is fattening and yes, it is full of "bad fats." But, really, who can resist it? It even looks tempting. 

Money, on the other hand, is not that pretty, and doesn't taste good. Ah, you say, but look what money buys. Well, there you have it. Money, in our minds, represents, all that can be purchased with it from homes to trips, from clothes to chocolate. There is little, we believe, that money cannot buy.

Money is important because we use it to purchase things we need to stay alive, warm, and dry, such as food, clothing, rent, and gas for our car. The things that make life easier such as cars, cell phones, computers, and CD players cost money, too. And most of our dreams and desires (trips, business ideas, dates with our husband, conferences) require the much desired green stuff.

The Spirit of Poverty

 "All my money is gone," my friend moaned, rubbing his hands over his face as if to erase the pain of the dreadful reality he was facing.

"All of it?" I asked with a little bit of trepidation. He was the father of four children and the husband of a very pregnant wife. I was mentally trying to fit them into our already filled household so that they would not end up on the street. Was this just a matter of God not providing on their behalf or was this a demonic attack?

There was an awkward silence that followed which I finally broke.

"What happened to all that money?" I asked the thirty-two year old man in front of me. My question caused tears to stream down his face and I felt terrible asking.

"I don't know. I just don't know."

Here is what happened. Tim had been in a car accident, had to stop working, and ended up foreclosing on his house. His wife worked for awhile, but her difficult pregnancy required her to stay home. However, God did not forget this young family. The insurance company gave Tim a sizable settlement that was five times the amount of money he made in a year. Six months later, it was all gone and they were back in the same situation they found themselves six months after his accident. If you could have been a mouse in Tim's pocket, you would have watched the money eek out toward bills, vacations, needed clothing, needed medical expenses, and many items that Tim had always dreamed of owning (cars, computers, sound equipment, video camera, and a motorcycle).

'Tis the Season to Be Generous

 

"Are you going to give him some money, Mom?" Jimmy asked as we left Wal-Mart and were passing a man collecting for the Salvation Army.

Suddenly, I felt self-conscious. I fumbled in my purse. Finding my change purse and extracting a handful of coins, I dropped them into the bucket. In my heart, I felt annoyed. You see, I really didn't want to part with my money at that moment. I had just spent much more money than I had planned and I felt "pushed" into giving. But, I wanted to be generous in front of my son.

Have you ever felt that struggle before? You want to give because you know it is the right thing to do, but you also feel like you can barely stretch the money you have to cover all the holiday expenses.

The Christmas season is the season of giving. As wives, mothers, girlfriends, daughter, friends, and co-workers, it can feel like we are always giving to others and that there is just no enough to go around. Why is there so much giving at Christmas?

"God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 NIV).

God started the Christmas celebration, we know today, two thousand years ago by GIVING! He gave the world the only thing that He has just one of, His only begotten (not created!) son! Jesus, Himself, gave! Our Promised Messiah gave up his glory, laying it aside, to take on human flesh, to be found as a man. He gave so others could live! He gave His life as a ransom for many. Our God is called the Father of Lights who gives good and perfect gifts. How lavished with love we are to receive His mercy!

Tis the Season to Be Thankful

Jim and Jordan both work at the same company. They make the same salary, hold the same position, are both married, and own their own homes in the same neighborhood. They both go to church and try to tithe faithfully. Jim is married to Sally and Jordan is married to Susie. That is where the differences begin.

Sally reminds Jim daily that he does not make enough money to save for college, decorate the home, or take a family vacation. She tells her daughter, "Make sure that you marry someone with money." When there are things that Sally absolutely has to have (about once a week), she uses the credit card to purchase them. She still is not content. In fact, anything she buys seems to lose its delight quickly and there are always new things to purchase. Sally complains to anyone that will listen about their financial woes. And it's not just money. Sally wishes her children would do their chores without being asked, clean their rooms, and make better grades. Her in-laws make her life miserable and her friends are always asking for favors of some kind.

Susie has an additional burden on her shoulders. She takes care of her elderly grandmother because her parents passed away when she was in college. She is the only  family Granny has, and, though she lives in her own assisted living apartment, Susie has to check in on her every day. This costs gas money and time. She would like to get a second job to help ends meet, but with taking care of the kids and Granny, there is no time left for more than her 15 hour a week part-time job. But, no one has every heard a complaint out of Susie's mouth about money, or anything else for that matter. It's not that she holds it in, it's just that she is glad to have Granny around and sees how hard her husband works. When he apologizes for his meager salary, she tells him, "Money isn't everything, Jordan. One day, we'll have plenty of money to do the things we want to do and then we'll remember the good old days when the children were little and Granny was still alive."

Tis the Season to Be Frugal

The holiday season is upon us. Christmas decorations are up in the store. With holiday sales for pre-season shoppers and turkeys are in the supermarket, it is only a matter of time before we see eggnog and those yummy Christmas flavored coffee creamers.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are delightful! I spend the entire Thanksgiving week decorating the entire house for Christmas. I things from the walls and tabletops and replace them with Christmas decorations. Holidays recipes are already sitting on my kitchen counters waiting to be chosen for the season's baking fests.

 But, as I have begun stocking up for holiday baking and purchasing a few Christmas presents, I have to admit that I am a little stressed out about money. I have five children and two additional people living with our family so Christmas is expensive in our house. Stuffing the stockings alone costs me a small fortune. Thanksgiving dinner is another big expense I need to anticipate.

Starting Your Own Business - Part 2

Last time we talked about reasons to start your own business and pitfalls in Starting Your Own Business - Part 1. Today, let's talk about character traits of a good businesswoman and choosing what kind of business to start.

Upbeat/Positive Attitude

Starting a business requires faith in God. It is hard, if not impossible to start a business if you are not trusting God, knowing you can trust Him no matter what.

My friend, Brad, lost his job and, a month later, got into a car accident. Both times, he kept his eyes on the Lord, proclaiming to all who would listen, "God allowed this to happen. So He will bring good out of these situations." His faith encouraged others, but more importantly his faith sustained him through the trials. He believed that God keeps His promises even when bad things happen.

If you start a business, bad things will happen sometimes. Customers won't pay, orders will be lost, mistakes will be made, sales might slow down--will you keep your eyes on Jesus when these things happen or give in to worry?

Starting Your Own Business - Part 1

With the economy so shaky, many businesses are downsizing. Our children's soccer coach lost his job a year ago and is starting his own business offering personal training for children. He is now leading our homeschool co-op's PE class. One of my musicians (I am a worship leader) injured his back and is starting a T-Shirt company. His designs are amazing and I look forward to wearing his products. After months of job searching to no avail, my niece is beginning to sell Avon. Our pilot friends lost his job in flight instruction and has started a home improvement and repair company.

My husband and I have had a family business since the early nineties and we enjoy the joys and challenges of self-employment. Several years ago, we incorporated our business, making it an umbrella for several businesses, including my new publishing company, Powerline Productions, that my friend, Laura, and I are getting off the ground.

It seems that I am surrounded by people who have, or are starting, their own businesses!

Reasons for Starting Your Own Business

Reasons abound for starting your own business. What a blessing it is be to be your own boss and have a flexible schedule. You can plan your work hours around the children's school hours and family needs. There is potential to make more money, thus sowing more into the kingdom of God. You also have the opportunity to cultivate your own leadership skills and impact employees and customers. There are a lot of reasons that make starting your own business attractive, so why doesn't everyone do it?

Living Below Your Means

Should I re-title this article? I thought to myself, Because everyone I know thinks that they don't make enough money.They will read the title and think that there is no way they can live below their means."

Is this an impossible dream or can people on less-than-desirable incomes live below their means? This is an important concept to address because it is one of the secrets to financial success, along with seeking the Kingdom first and delaying gratification.

If you are living beyond your means, you have accumulated debt because you are spending more than you earn. If you have debt, becoming debt free will necessitate living below your means and using the extra money to pay off debt. It always costs more money to be in debt, so get rid of the debt and begin to live below your means.

"Well, we live within our means," you might say. "We have no debts, but we have a hard time saving any money." That is a good step toward the goal of living below your means, but it isn't good enough. You see, if you are living within your means, you have nothing saved up for your retirement and nothing left over to give away (I'm not talking about tithing--that should be done first!).

To live in financial freedom, we must learn to live below our income. The extra money we find can go to our savings account for future purchases and investments. The eventual goal for the Christian is to be dependent on no one, but to pull our own weight, financially and otherwise. We also want to be able to give to the poor.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each of us should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each should carry his own load" (Galatians 6:2-5 NIV).

Stop Spending Money on "That Person"

There is one person in our life that we seem to spend lots of money on. Sometimes we don't even realize how much money we spend on her. We don't like to think of ourselves spending so much on that person, but we do. If you want to grow in godliness, stop spending so much money on yourself! There, I said it.

Without realizing it, we think about things we want and need, laying our plans to purchase these things now or later. We are bombarded with messages from advertising on television, at the movies, in the mall, in the newspaper, on billboards when we drive, and from the people we love who know exactly what we "need." Somehow our mind gets wrapped around the idea that buying lots of stuff will make us happy, take away the pain in our lives, help us to become more organized, or help people to love us more. We know, of course, that stuff won't make us happy, but we are bombarded with the lie so often that we start to believe it.

We each have a secret stuff area. That is the area where we really believe that purchasing items of that kind will make us happy. My secret "stuff" area is shoes...it is amazing how quickly a new pair of shoes can brighten up my day. Flowers, chocolate, clothes, music, CDs, DVDs, jewelry, electronic equipment, bling, designer purses, software, or accessories might be your secret stuff area. Maybe it is not so secret. Maybe it is more than one area...you just love to buy stuff for yourself.

We kid ourselves into thinking that the money we spend is all on others, but if you are honest and list everything you spend, you will find that you purchase all kinds of things for yourself. You might buy snacks, drinks, new clothes, comfort foods, music, books, or accessories on impulse when you are out shopping for the family or running errands. We don't think about it, but it adds up.

Tithing New Testament Style - Part 1

 

"Well, I've tried tithing and every time I do, God just doesn't come through." My friend sighed and looked down; embarrassed about not tithing and asking for prayer. I asked him gently why he didn't tithe, knowing he had one financial trial and setback after another.

"What's the longest you tithed at one time?" I asked, confused about his answer.  I had ALWAYS seen God come through.  Did He sometimes not come through?

"Two months is the longest I ever tithed," he said firmly.

I was stunned. Two months? That's hardly any time at all.

When I was a little girl, my grandparents sent me two checks at Christmas and my birthday. The first went to my savings account; the second was to spend with joy. Yes, there were strings attached to the gifts and direction from the giver of the gifts. At the time, I did not like the idea of putting such a large chunk of money away in the bank. However, as my savings account began to grow, it was more fun to put money into the bank.

My parents gave me an allowance each week and part was to go into the offering plate at church. Usually, it was one-third of the total amount. I remember as a young girl getting $1.50 each week and 50 cents was to go into the offering plate. This was not easy to give away a third of "my money." Again, the giver of the money was dictating how the money was to be used.

Looking back I'm so thankful for both of these scenarios in my life because they prepared me to tithe with joy and consistency.

Like my grandparents and parents, God gives generously with strings attached. Which of the following is true? 

1. He gives money to us with the idea that 10% belongs to Him. We are to give it right back! 
2. He entrusts money to us with the idea that 100% belongs to Him and wants to make ALL the decisions on how it is to be spent. At least 10% is to be given to the local church as an offering.

If you picked the first choice, you are wrong, but that is what most Christians think. The second choice is correct. God doesn't give us money, but rather He entrusts His money into our stewardship, expecting us to make all financial decisions according to His will. Does that seem overwhelming?

The Secret to Financial Success

The secret to financial success is quite simple!  It is two little words that pack a big punch. The secret to financial success is delayed gratification!

Delayed Gratification. What is that? Well, it means to postpone what you want, to wait for what you desire to obtain.

"All of these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were looking for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV)

The writer of Hebrews is talking about Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham in these verses, explaining how delayed gratification was working in their life. He calls it faith, but it is also the practice of waiting for the desire of one's heart. We, of course, like these men of faith, desire our own heavenly city, the glorious place Jesus has prepared for us to live in forever!

But, we also desire many things on this earth. We want a place to live, food to eat, and clothing to wear...and shoes, jewelry, televisions, mp3 players, minivans, vacations, movie tickets, scarves, dinners out with our husbands, college tuition...you get my point. Our list of desires goes far beyond basic necessities.

Where Did All My Money Go?

 "I lost my grocery money," I admitted sheepishly to my dear husband of twenty-five years. 

"Honey, you didn't lose it. You just can't remember where you left it. Let's retrace your steps." Mike always has a plan. 

As you get to know me, you'll find that I like to use cash for some things, including grocery money. However, this had been a crazy day and Mike had handed me the grocery money as soon as he walked in the door and I had been busy, so I put it down somewhere.

"That's it!"  I shouted and found the money exactly where I had left it! 

Unfortunately, we can't always put our finger on where all our money goes so easily. Sometimes, it just seems to slip through our fingers. Does your budget work on paper, but not in real life? Maybe things are so tight, that you don't even bother to have a budget. Let's do our finances God's way, being good stewards. Good stewards know where the money is. 

My husband is a pastor. We have walked many couple through financial management as part of our ministry. It isn't easy to change our mindset and habits when it comes to money. We all wish we had just enough money to get whatever we want at the moment without having to worry about how to pay for it. We never admit that, but it's true. It is hard to make choices: fast food or college tuition, going out to a movie or paying our tithe, or buying it now at full price versus waiting for it to go on sale. Our government doesn't help by bailing people out and throwing money around. Advertising appeals to our greed. "I deserve this!" we think to ourselves. We begin to be polluted by the world in our minds. What's the big deal about debt? Why save if no one else does? Surely the government will take care of us too? Don't be too sure of that. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Someone has to pay.  If not now, someone will pay later. 

Welcome to Focus on Your Finances!

Making color copies yesterday at Office Max (because they were only 29 cents!), I was horrified to discover that I had left my money, checkbook, and credit card at home.  Standing at the cash register, I hunted throughout my purse for money that had dropped out of my change purse or been tossed in.  After several embarrassing moments, I scrounged together enough money to sheepishly pay the patient young man.

Lately, it may feel like you are scrounging around in the same way at the end of the month to pay your bills.  The economy has hit our family business hard.  Many of our friends are looking for jobs or find themselves in jobs that don't pay the bills. Maybe your family has taken a hit too.  Maybe there has always been a little more month than money.  Or maybe you are simply fearful, worried about what MIGHT happen to your family's finances.

The economy is a huge topic of discussion this year!  More importantly to you, though, is the condition of your personal finances and how the economy is affecting you.  This is important to God too!  He cares about us.  His heart is for us and longs to give us good gifts. Our Heavenly Father LAVISHLY provides for our enjoyment!  Yes, He does! 

Intro: Focus on Finances

The economy is a huge topic of discussion this year!  More importantly to you, though, is the condition of your personal finances and how the economy is affecting you, dear woman of God.  God’s heart is for us and longs to give us good gifts. How do we apply His principles to our daily life.  You will see God in a new way in this column--not as a kill-joy, nor as a Santa Clause, but as a Father, training His children to be wise.  Let’s grow together in bringing our finances under the Lordship of  Jesus Christ!

By, Meredith Curtis