Financial Planning

With the last drink of coffee our morning conversation ended as my friend said, “I realize God does care about how I use and manage “His”money.”

Our culture puts lots of value on stuff. And stuff is fine! But are you keeping yours in the proper perspective?

God made us so that when we love Him and others, especially with the unconditional love Jesus taught and modeled, it develops a bond of connection that helps us become more fully human in the ways that He originally designed us to be.

I’ll be blunt: I think there might be a few too many articles on tithing in the Christian internet community.

But you don’t have to be a genius to keep your money organized and making sense. Just check these tips!

It takes zero dollars to talk with someone about Jesus.

Before we reach the age when we will personally require care, many of us must first learn to care for our elderly family members.

Sometimes, the root cause of unhappiness is an issue of contentment. How will you help your teens battle discontentment?

Jesus modeled biblical stewardship at every turn during His time on earth. Big surprise, right? Well, the challenge for us isn’t just recognizing His example. We’ve got to imitate His example.

When you think of stewardship, what comes to mind? The reality is that many people today, including lots of Christians, don’t understand the true meaning of stewardship. And that’s a tragedy. Why? Because stewardship is our ultimate calling as Christ followers.

What does freedom mean to you? Making the most money you can, or spending time with your loved ones?

While money comes with inherent temptations and dangers, it’s also an area in which we can demonstrate our trust in God and do much good in the world. For this to happen, it helps to have a clear biblical view of money, wealth creation, and economics; this view, in turn, frames and prompts us toward sound, principle-based decisions that are sensible, knowledgeable and not hasty.

Our tipping habits are part of our testimony to the world about who God is. Let’s consider 5 reasons why Christians should be active in changing our reputation and become great tippers.

Last Saturday, a single ticketholder won the Pennsylvania Powerball jackpot valued at 456.7 million dollars, becoming an instant millionaire like few others in the history of state lotteries. Are you feeling a bit envious? Dont be. Winning the lottery can be bad for your health, in more ways than one. In fact, winning the lottery can be dangerous. Past lottery winners seem to understand that. The New Hampshire winner of Februarys 559.7 million-dollar Powerball jackpot, for example, went to court recently in an effort to keep her name anonymous. Her attorney explained her concern: She is a longtime resident of New Hampshire and is an engaged community member She wishes to continue this work and the freedom to walk into a grocery store or attend public events without being known or targeted as the winner of a half-billion dollars. Thats an understandable concern, given whats happened to past lottery winners. Photo Courtesy: Thinkstock

Have you ever noticed the joy and satisfaction that well-up from deep within you when you use and share your God-given talents and gifts?

Learn why it's especially important to have financial peace as a single mom.

Years ago, I watched the movie, "The Money Pit". The main characters made a foolish purchase of a house that fell apart, piece-by-piece. Soon their relationship started crumbling too. I remember thinking, “I want to be wise with money—it can a powerful tool for good, but it can cause destruction too!”Sometime after that, my pastor shared Paul’s caution to church leaders in 1 Timothy 3. Paul urged them to be “free from the love of money.” and that "the love of money is a root of all kids of evil." I thought, “That’s wise counsel for all Christ-followers.”To develop a healthy, biblical relationship with money, we must build on this truth: God owns us and everything we have, and it is only as we wisely steward His resources we discover not only a thriving relationship with Him, but with money and possessions as well.The love of money is a heart problem. It is a choice to pursue wealth for sheer luxury or selfish consumption instead of looking at life from a biblical, eternal perspective and accumulating money and resources as a powerful tool to bring glory to the Lord.There’s a fine line of difference sometimes, but here are 10 signs you might love money.

Money is a powerful thing. On one hand, it can expose us to danger, while on the other hand it can be used of God to reveal the need of our hearts and, through us, to bless the lives of others. You and I will interact with money in some way. That interaction is one of the things that sets the direction of our lives. When it comes to money, Scripture leaves little room for comfortable neutrality. Money will either bless you or curse you. It will be a tool in the hands of a God of grace, or it will be a doorway to bad and dangerous things. Like two sides of a physical coin, there are two spiritual sides to money. Each side calls to you. Each side holds before you a vision and promises. Each side asks not just for the investment of your money but for the allegiance of your heart. The battle between the two sides of the money coin wages in the heart of every person this side of eternity. Money is a danger. Money is a blessing. What will it be for you? Where the rubber meets the road in everyday life, you will answer the question not just once. No, you will have to answer it again and again as, day after day, you are greeted with false promises and truth, each voice telling you what to do with the money in your hand.

While this may seem obvious to you, it is a surprise to many people when they realize that God is generous.

For many the same question seems to arise year and after year: “What do I get for the man who seems to have everything?”