Day 3—Today’s WORD on Money™: The Best Investment You Can Make Now
Yesterday we examined the issue of ownership. The Bible also teaches that God gives us the freedom to accept or reject His authority in our lives. But before proceeding any further, let’s answer the question I’m most frequently asked: “Where is the best place to invest now?”
Earlier, we learned that each person’s eternal soul is worth more than everything on earth (Matthew 16:26). Things are temporary but souls are eternal. In Matthew 13, Jesus tells about a sower who harvests 100 times as much as he planted. In financial terms, that would be like investing $1000 and turning it into $100,000!
Most people think that gambling, not investing, is the only activity that might bring them a hundred-to-one return. Yet the Bible tells us that, instead of relying on “luck”, which really doesn’t even exist, anyone who follows God’s system has the potential to receive a 100-fold return. In other words, God wants all of his children to win, not just one person. So the Bible teaches that only blessings and cursings exist, not good luck and bad luck.
Soon, we’ll cover more on the topic of how to be blessed and not cursed. But in terms of investing, even a brief study of scripture reveals that if we help even one person change his or her eternal destination, we will receive a higher, spiritual return than that very rare person who receives a 100-to-1 monetary return.
Even though Christians should not gamble or rely on games of chance, it does not follow that we should never make financial investments. In fact, Matthew 25:27 teaches that good stewardship requires that we make a profit. Sometimes God may direct us to grow and hold assets for a period of time. But we must remember that the time may come when God asks us to use earthly profits to harvest heavenly treasure. I don’t know about you, but I frequently need to remind myself that God is my source, and not any of the assets that God entrusts to me for a season.
Some of our studies will mention ways to increase our financial profitability, because we are expected to make a monetary profit. But let us never lose sight of the fact that investing in God’s Kingdom is ultimately THE most profitable investment we can make.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Communicating with Your Spouse about Money
Valentine’s Day--Today’s WORD on Money™: Communicating with Your Spouse about Money
Money and finances are said to be the #1 topic of argument in many Christian marriages. Money is most often cited as the biggest factor causing divorce. Jesus said in Matthew 19 that humans should not separate what God has united. Now for those of you who have experienced divorce, this lesson is not meant to condemn you. But it is my prayer that this information will help all of you to have a more Godly marriage from now on.
Our firm does workshops and retreats to help couples understand how each spouse views money. For example, some people have a scarcity mentality, others have an affluence mentality. Some see money as status, others see it as security. Also, many couples don’t understand how to communicate in words that their spouse understands. One spouse may be very abstract and the other very concrete, for instance. (Yes, Virginia, opposites do attract. . . .)
Then there are even various issues within the larger topic of money: maybe the couple’s cash flow is fine, but they plan poorly for their tax payments. Or maybe they have done a good job at staying out of debt, but they haven’t made provisions for their children’s education costs.
I think now you may see that there can be so many variables involved in these issues, that communication can be very difficult. At this point, couples must remember Ephesians 4:15 and “speak the truth in love” to each other.
Martin Luther said, “Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let the husband make the wife sorry to see him leave.”
What wife would not love to have a husband like the one described in Ephesians 5:25? 1 God created men and women to be equal. To the extent women have not been treated equally, I agree with the Women’s Movement. But men, if we would step up and love women like Christ loved the church, I think we would remove most of the fuel that fires radical women’s rights groups today. For that matter, our demonstrating true Christian love would remove the fuel from many other “rights” groups also.
I pray that today each of us will redouble our commitment to love and honor our spouse.
1 “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.” (Ephesians 5:26-27, NLT)
Money and finances are said to be the #1 topic of argument in many Christian marriages. Money is most often cited as the biggest factor causing divorce. Jesus said in Matthew 19 that humans should not separate what God has united. Now for those of you who have experienced divorce, this lesson is not meant to condemn you. But it is my prayer that this information will help all of you to have a more Godly marriage from now on.
Our firm does workshops and retreats to help couples understand how each spouse views money. For example, some people have a scarcity mentality, others have an affluence mentality. Some see money as status, others see it as security. Also, many couples don’t understand how to communicate in words that their spouse understands. One spouse may be very abstract and the other very concrete, for instance. (Yes, Virginia, opposites do attract. . . .)
Then there are even various issues within the larger topic of money: maybe the couple’s cash flow is fine, but they plan poorly for their tax payments. Or maybe they have done a good job at staying out of debt, but they haven’t made provisions for their children’s education costs.
I think now you may see that there can be so many variables involved in these issues, that communication can be very difficult. At this point, couples must remember Ephesians 4:15 and “speak the truth in love” to each other.
Martin Luther said, “Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let the husband make the wife sorry to see him leave.”
What wife would not love to have a husband like the one described in Ephesians 5:25? 1 God created men and women to be equal. To the extent women have not been treated equally, I agree with the Women’s Movement. But men, if we would step up and love women like Christ loved the church, I think we would remove most of the fuel that fires radical women’s rights groups today. For that matter, our demonstrating true Christian love would remove the fuel from many other “rights” groups also.
I pray that today each of us will redouble our commitment to love and honor our spouse.
1 “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.” (Ephesians 5:26-27, NLT)
Monday, May 11, 2009
Mother's Day
Mother’s Day--Today’s WORD on Money™: My “Proverbs 31 Girl”
For years I’ve called my wife a “Proverbs 31 Girl.” Verses 10-31 describe her “to a tee” (except, as she admits, the “up before dawn” part!). But I also have a confession: when our children were babies, she was the one to get up at night for them about 99% of the time. I hope all of you husbands and husbands-to-be are blessed like I am with a Proverbs 31 Wife. Below are the King James and the Message translations of verses 10 to 31.
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (KJV)
“A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!” (Message)
For years I’ve called my wife a “Proverbs 31 Girl.” Verses 10-31 describe her “to a tee” (except, as she admits, the “up before dawn” part!). But I also have a confession: when our children were babies, she was the one to get up at night for them about 99% of the time. I hope all of you husbands and husbands-to-be are blessed like I am with a Proverbs 31 Wife. Below are the King James and the Message translations of verses 10 to 31.
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (KJV)
“A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!” (Message)
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