Christian Finance Blog
Spiritually Prosperous, Financially Rich!

Here’s today’s verse of the day:
¹⁹“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)

From the Nelson Study Bible :

“Do not lay up…but lay up may be rephrased as “Do not give priority to this, but give priority to that.” This passage does not mean that it is sinful to have such assets as incurance, retirement plans, and savings accounts. After all, parents are to save for their children (see Prov. 13:22; 2 Cor. 12:14).”

Again, we see priorities in the Bible and in what Jesus has to say. He’s saying what good are all these earthly riches when they’re only temporary. Compared to heavenly riches, which are eternal, the riches of this world are nothing. Again, to reiterate, the Bible is not condemning having a retirement plan, an emergency fund, etc. It’s just saying that we must have our priorities straight. The Bible is great because it keeps everything in perspective. Nonbelievers think the attainment of money, wealth, power, etc. is the key to happiness but we as Christians know that those things are just temporary and may not give us fulfillment in this life without Jesus. That’s why so many rich people are miserable, paranoid, and full of fear. That’s not how I want to live my life! Be blessed to know that you are storing up riches in heaven!

Ok, well maybe not, but they still are a very bad deal. Here’s an excerpt from another great financial blog creditpro:

“Another common problem that I encounter on a daily basis has to do with payday loans. While these may appear to be a quick and easy way to get money for rent, bills, credit cards, etc., the first loan is simply the start of a cycle where you are continually further and further behind on your payments and in need of even more money. Before you know what has happened, you are left in a downward spiral of overwhelming debt.

In most instances, my clients only need a few hundred dollars to pay their bills, so they head over to a cash advance store and put up their future paycheck in return for a no credit check loan. However, things start to get a little sticky when you discover that this place is charging an exorbitant interest rate, sometimes as much as 25% for a two week advance. To put this into perspective, if you borrow a rather modest $200, you could end paying upwards of $50 for this “quick and painless” loan. And once you have paid off your bills and repaid the loan, you may see that you are still a little short on cash due to the unexpected interest payment, so you need to take out another loan. Well, there goes another $50 dollars, meaning you just paid $100 in interest for a one month loan of $400.

Although throwing away $100 a month will not affect the livelihood of most individuals, the people who are taking out these cash advance loans are usually making minimum wage and working hard to make ends meet. It may appear that these operations are taking advantage of the low-income earners plight, but the government has said payday loan stores are not predatory and fulfill a crucial role for some people. I wholeheartedly disagree with this considering that I have seen first hand how it can destroy a family’s life.”

**Sponsored by:

National Payday suggests that all payday loans be used on a short-term basis only. Because payday loans are for small amounts and due on your very next payday, they should be based solely on need and urgency and should not be taken out for extended periods. It’s in your best interest to pay these loans off in full, or more than the minimum when extending.

Advertising does not constitute endorsement by Christian Finance Blog.

Here’s today’s verse of the day:

⁷The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7 (NKJV)

Some wise words indeed from King Solomon and so true. When you look at society today, this country is definitely a debt nation. The savings rate continues to be negative which means that the American people are spending more than they’re saving. That’s not good and it’s hard to shake especially when we’re surrounded by it and it’s so engrained in the culture.

All I have to say is that you don’t have to “keep up with the Jones’s”. You have to fight the temptation to show off with your possessions because we came into this world with nothing and we will leave it with nothing as well. I would rather have money saved up and not have to live paycheck-to-paycheck than to “act like” I have money by borrowing, borrowing, and borrowing. Examine your assets. Do you really own anything? The title to your car and house has your bank’s name on it. The borrower is truly slave to the lender and until we get out of this mentality to spend, spend, spend, we as a nation will continue to be in debt. I mean, the government can’t even get out of debt and that just goes to show you that it is really part of this culture today.

Now I’m not saying that all debt is bad. I’m in the camp that says there’s “good debt” and there’s “bad debt”. Taking out a loan to pay for your education is good debt. Taking out a loan to buy a party boat to show off to friends is bad debt. I think that taking out a mortgage on a house can be good debt just because of the skyrocketing real estate prices in some areas. As long as you’re living below your means and buying a house that’s relatively affordable, owning a home can be the best investment you make. But if you can’t afford the payments with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, you can’t afford that house. It’s generally unwise and risky to take out these interest-only loans and adjustable-rate- mortgages. Just don’t do it.

So next time you apply for a loan, remember that you are slave to the lender for the life of the loan. Not all debt is bad but make sure you really need what you’re trying to buy and that your investment will pay off some time in the future.

Here’s a bonus Valentine’s Day Verse:

¹³Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:13

As you go about your day on the “day of love” remember that the greatest love was when Jesus came to this earth, died for our sins, and rose again from the dead to give us eternal life in heaven and abundant life here on earth! Jesus is love!

Here’s today’s verse of the day:

⁸“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. ⁹You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. ¹⁰Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such a blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;

Malachi 3:8-11 (NKJV)

This is the classic Bible passage on tithing in today’s churches. Many people aren’t taught correctly on tithing or aren’t taught at all. The word “tithe” literally means “a tenth”. Generally, tithe is 10% of your income given to your “home church” where you’re being fed spiritually. Offering is anything that’s above and beyond the tithe. This can be given to your home church or to any other ministry as an offering to God. This is not about being legalistic and religious. It should be out of worship that you give to God. Whether it be singing, time, or money.

It’s just that “where your treasure is, there your heart is also”. Where you spend your money shows where your heart lies. This passage talks about robbing God by not giving Him tithes and offerings. If you have the perspective that God owns everything anyway, and all He’s asking for is ten percent, it turns out to be a great deal. 100% of your money doesn’t go as far as 90% of your money that’s blessed by God.

This principle of tithing comes with it a two-fold promise. That God will “open up the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing” and that He would “rebuke the devourer…that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground”. In other words, God is going to bless you. He’s going to make sure that you’re taken care of. And He will also bless your labor and work which is what is implied by “the fruit of your ground”. The work of your hand will not go in vain and it will produce in your life!

So next time the offering plate, bucket, etc. is passed around at your church, remember the two-fold blessing that accompanies the tithe and offering! God Bless!

Here’s today’s verse of the day:

¹And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, ²and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. ³So He said,“Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;⁴for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

Luke 21:1-4 (NKJV)

I love this story about the widow and her 2 mites. It’s one of the best examples of giving in the New Testament. This verse is especially important because it’s Jesus speaking. This widow gave a seemingly insignificant amount into the offering. One mite is worth about a half-penny today. So she basically put one penny into the offering! If you put in a penny into your offering at church, they might look at you funny!

But think about it. Jesus said that the widow “put in more than all”. How is that possible? She “only” put in a penny’s worth. Isn’t it amazing that Jesus looks at your circumstances and your heart in your giving. He knows ifyou’re giving out of abundance and just “tipping God” or giving out of poverty. Just remember next time you give, that it’s not necessarily the amount that you give but the motivations and intent of your heart. Remember that God loves “a cheerful giver”!

Here’s an interesting book that I’ve read recently:

The Millionaire Next Door
From Library Journal
In The Millionaire Next Door, Stanley (Marketing to the Affluent) and Danko (marketing, SUNY at Albany) summarize findings from their research into the key characteristics that explain how the elite club of millionaires have become “wealthy.” Focusing on those with a net worth of at least $1 million, their surprising results reveal fundamental qualities of this group that are diametrically opposed to today’s earn-and-consume culture, including living below their means, allocating funds efficiently in ways that build wealth, ignoring conspicuous consumption, being proficient in targeting marketing opportunities, and choosing the “right” occupation. It’s evident that anyone can accumulate wealth, if they are disciplined enough, determined to persevere, and have the merest of luck.  Highly recommended. Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

 It’s a very interesting study into the millionaires of America. They’re not what you may think or see on the “Fabulous Life of the Rich and Famous”. I’ll have my own full review in a little while. In the meantime you can purchase this excellent book:
The Millionaire Next Door

Here’s today’s verse of the day:

⁶Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ⁹But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NKJV)

Many of you may have heard the saying, “Money is the root of all evil”. Some of you may have known that it came from the Bible, and some of you may have not. But what it actually says is, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” The Bible doesn’t say that money is bad in of itself. On the contrary, money is necessary for life here in this world. Our world is based on a financial system.

It’s only when you begin to love money and put the pursuit of money before God that it becomes evil and sinful. Anything that gets in the way of you and God and hinders your relationship with Him, should be purged out. We go back to priorities and focus. Is your focus on God or is it on your job, friends, or even “church”. Remember, Christianity is all about a relationship with Jesus, not necessarily “church” or religion.

So always keep in mind that having money and lots of it is fine…just don’t let it get in the way of your relationship with God. Here’s an interesting little poem about money that’s so true (it’s one of those things that your co-workers e-mail you all the time):

Money can buy a house but not a home.
Money can buy food but not an appetite.
Money can buy a bed but not rest.
Money can buy a book but not knowledge.
Money can buy a clock but not time.
Money can buy medicine but not health.
Money can buy position but not respect.
Money can buy blood but not life.
Money can buy sex but not love.
Money can buy insurance but not safety.
Money can’t buy everything.

Hopefully that gives you a perspective on the role of money in your life.

This may be old news to some of you, but Paypal is offering a $15 rebate off a $30 purchase at any participating online store that accepts Paypal including eBay! It’s from now through March 31, 2007!

1. Register your primary Paypal e-mail address here

2. Make a single purchase of $30 or more with Paypal funds at a qualified store.

3. Purchase must be made from now through March 31, 2007.

4. Your $15 rebate will be deposited into your Paypal account by May 28, 2007!

This is only valid for the U.S. and Canada. And remember, only buy things that you would have already purchased even without the coupon or rebate. It makes no sense to buy something just because of a coupon that you wouldn’t have normally bought. Practice some common sense and don’t waste your money! God Bless!

Like the post? Subscribe to this feed!

Here’s today’s Verse of the Day:

³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

This verse is talking about priorities. You should not worry about where your next meal is coming from or how you’re going to buy some clothes for your kids. As long as you have your priorities straight, God will provide for you. Seek God first, and all of those things will be added to you! Don’t worry about anything. God is your provider!

Be blessed as you go to church today and if you don’t, maybe you should think about going to church!

Thanks for visiting my brand-spankin’ new blog all about Christian Personal Finance! This is my very first post! Hope you stick around as we dive into many different personal finance topics from a Christian perspective. I already have some ideas for this blog so stay tuned! I will let you in on one secret though; there will be a verse of the day related to finance! I believe the Bible is the greatest finance book there is and if you live by its principles, you will become not only financially rich, but spiritually rich as well!