Pope Francis stirred controversy when he recently declared that people should not hesitate to give money directly to the poor. “Help is always right,” the Pontiff said. But is it wise to give your spare change to panhandlers on the street corner? What if they use it for drugs, or booze? What if they’re really […]
Western culture is saturated with money — far more than any other culture in history, and certainly much more than the people who heard Jesus. Struggling to walk faithfully in this wealth-marinated environment, modern Christians have found some distinct and different paths. This article from ChristianityToday looks at some of them, including the “Simple Living” and […]
MONEY! How many times have you thought: “If only I didn’t have to worry about money, life would be easy”? Did you know that Jesus had more to say about money than he did about heaven? He realized, of course, that money was going to give us lots of trouble, and he wanted us to know how to […]
Many churches have no safeguards for the money given for God’s work. This leaves our churches open to fraud or embezzlement that may go undetected for months or years. Money scandals can not ruin only a congregation’s finances, but it also can under mine the credibility and good faith that a church needs to minister […]
Though many leaders prefer to focus on other aspects of ministry, money is an important part of your church’s work, because without it, none of that work would be possible, say authors Aubrey Malphurs and Steve Stroop. So make sure you make financial decisions for your church wisely, faithfully, and legally. Here’s how you can […]
Sam Polk had it all — a job on Wall Street, a job that paid millions, all the stuff he could buy — but still he wanted more. That was before he had a moment of insight and walked away from it all. His insight? He was addicted to money the way alcoholics are addicted […]
Vacationing with the family is a wonderful — and necessary — summer tradition. But if you’re not careful the cost can be astronomical. The key to planning an affordable family vacation this summer, and every summer, is making common-sense choices that keep costs under control. This article from tripsavvy.com provides lots of great ideas and strategies […]
Forget the latest John Grisham thriller or Sue Grafton’s whodunit — this summer put some stewardship books in your beachbag! There’s never been a better selection of brilliant, informative reading material to help you plan and execute your congregation’s stewardship program. From the practical to the theological, there’s something to fit your congregation’s need. This suggested […]
Stewardship is a necessity for our churches, but we must be diligent to see that the church practices good stewardship after the congregation has done its part. Leaders have a responsibility to manage church funds properly. Careful management establishes credibility with the church body as well as with those examining the finances. Sloppiness leads to […]
With the rise of online shopping and electronic banking, the way people use money in the economy has changed dramatically in only a few years. Fewer and fewer people carry cash or checks to make their purchases. Yet for many congregations it’s still the 20th century when it comes to receiving offerings. Electronic and online giving […]
