Robert Wuthnow, Andlinger Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University, wrote this article for The Christian Century a decade ago, but his observations and critique of the failure of American churches and synagogues to address issues of faith and money in a substantive and effective way […]
Every month I receive statements detailing to the penny the balances in my checking, savings and retirement accounts. Also without fail I receive statements detailing to the penny my liabilities in credit cards and other debt. Then I use a household accounting software program to put all this information together. The result? I know exactly how much money I have month by month. We do a good job of tracking how rich we are in worldly wealth. But we are not so good when it comes to knowing how rich we are in God. (Photo © Borys Shevchuk – Fotolia)
Adam Hamilton, pastor and author, reflects on how we are hardwired by God to be generous but fall prey to the voices of fear and self-gratification. Click here for more. Click here to learn about Hamilton’s book Enough. (Photo: Liz West, Creative Commons)
Is American giving on cruise control? While overall giving has mushroomed since the 1970s, it has been driven primarily by growing incomes, not by donors deciding to give a larger share of income. As a share of GDP, charitable giving has rarely strayed far from 2 percent over the past four decades—despite the huge growth in the number of charities and fundraisers and periodic crusades to encourage greater giving. (Photo by margonaut, used by Creative Commons license)
Christians love to blame social justice issues on large corporations, rich banks, corrupt governments, and our culture’s greedy obsession with money. But Westernized Christianity has quietly created an aristocratic population of its own, a “gated community” that only the most privileged and wealthy can afford to experience. (Photo (c) Dion Hinchcliffe, used by Creative Commons […]
Click here to read Leah Wise’s reflection on how shopping in thrift stores–made popular by Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis–can actually be a way to practice better stewardship and do justice. While you’re there, take a look at the other articles on the RELEVANT website. (Photo: adiything, Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
Do you have an “In Case of Death” file? If not, check out this short article about how to create one. Putting your affairs in order is part of good stewardship. (Photo: © Maxim_Kazmin – Fotolia.com)
Here’s a study guide authored by Carol Johnston inviting participants to consider the theological meaning of wealth by examining literature on Christian practices of giving and stewardship as well as scriptural and cultural understandings of riches. A downloadable PDF document is available. (Photo by pfarrell95. Thanks!)
Fasting is a time-honored spiritual discipline that helps people gain clarity of mind and spirit. Going without food for a certain period of time raises awareness and strengthens the will. When I went on a “financial fast” I was amazed what I learned about my spending! (Photo © Borys Shevchuk, via Fotolia)
The Rocket Company offers several free stewardship and preaching resources for pastors including webinars and downloadable documents. Click here to access them. Click here to access their free e-book 39 Things Pastors Need to Know about Money. Photo by Robert Huffstutter. Thanks!
