Money Changes Everything

As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of our finances. We should be controlling our money, else our money will control us. That statement can be validated by a quick glance at our current national economy crisis and how we got to where we are today. Somewhere near the end of first half of the last century, Americans began to wag the dog when it came to personal finances. What changed? Was it the invention of new banking products, was it inflated cost of living that invited borrowing? Was it moving away from Christian values? Was it all of the above? We can ponder and discuss those things till the next stimulus bill is passed, but it won't change where we are today. What are some of the things your are doing or have done to get out of debt, increase saving, or begin to give more? If your money is still controlling you, what are some of the questions you need answered to help you move into a life where you are controlling your money?

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  • Valia - Community Tech Support said:
    (I was going to edit my post that's why I removed it). Anyway, there's nothing wrong with wanting stuff, I think things can be a great reward and motivation for people. I had a recent experience where a Christian blessed me and I am very grateful yet I know I don' t deserve it. People say prayer is the answer, but how can prayer be effective without people reaching out?

    I totally agree that there is nothing wrong with wanting stuff. Stuff is amoral (like money). However, I want to own my stuff. I don't want it to own me.
  • (I was going to edit my post that's why I removed it). Anyway, there's nothing wrong with wanting stuff, I think things can be a great reward and motivation for people. I had a recent experience where a Christian blessed me and I am very grateful yet I know I don' t deserve it. People say prayer is the answer, but how can prayer be effective without people reaching out?
  • Valia - Community Tech Support said:
    I have always lived on very little, and have lived from paycheck to paycheck since I've been working. I am very good with my money because I can't afford not to be. I think God is trying to wake people up to show them that money is not their God. I also think the true Christians are shown, in this economy and in general, when someone is needing something and a Christian reaches out to help meet those needs.

    Valia,

    When I was married, we lived paycheck to (almost) paycheck. That was years ago. Then I wrestled with this verse "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." Proverbs 21:20. I realized I was being foolish by continuing to live that way even though I sincerly did not have to. I love to give, that is one of my gifts, so how much more could I give if I had it? Until I overcome my own situation, I am bound/limited/inslaved by it. I'm a woman on a mission. :-D I am learning to save and to assess very closely what I really need vs the accumulation of "stuff" because I like "stuff". This is all new to me, if not in concept, in lifestyle altering. (knowing it vs living it)

    Right now I have an emergency fund and I have cut back on a bunch of "stuff" purchasing and redirected that money to savings. There is a long, long way to go and since I am not married, I currently have no accountability partner to keep me on track (meaning, keep me from doing foolish things with my money).

    I think God wants us to be wise with our resources so that he can use them in his Kingdom. The what and why are easy to me to grasp. It's the HOW that is the booger. I guess I started this post partly to see what other folks "hows" look like. "You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." - Prov 27:17
  • Lisa said:
    Pay as much as possible on CC bills every time.

    Hi Lisa,

    I went from over $40K of credit card debt (post-divorce) to zero in less than 2 years. I paid the small ones off immediately. Then I called the companies of the larger ones and re-negotiated payments and rates with them. Most folks don't realize that you can actually do this yourself without having to go to some credit finance specialist who will charge you for making a phone call. You are correct though, if you can pay as much as possible on these in a short period of time, that is an excellent plan. THEN DESTROY THE CARDS!

    I am currently debt-free, except for my mortgage (I don't have car payments either). All my credit cards (8 of them!!!!) were cut up except one, which is in a lock box. I use only for things like reserving hotel rooms. I never use it in an emergency.
  • Pay as much as possible on CC bills every time.
  • These are extremely good questions. In these difficult financial times... it is easy to get 'wrapped around' money issues. I don't know that there are easy answers for those situations...

    But, I think that we can "seek first Him and His Kingdom" and he will provide for us.

    And, that may be just the problem with our nation... the less we seek Him, the less we as a nation see him provide for us.
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