Bountiful: The Heart of Money Management

If you set some resolutions for 2018, they’re probably still in the front of your mind.  Some common personal finance resolutions may be around saving money, like setting aside more for retirement, solidifying the emergency fund, paying off debt, and spending less money.  In this episode, Gary & Christy talk about saving money, why do it, how to do it, and where to do it.

This time of year is when we tend to do more shopping than normal. In this episode, Gary & Christy discuss some ways we can make sure our attitude and behavior as customers, shoppers, patrons, or diners are in line with how Jesus would want us to be.  This includes:

1. Remember each person we interact with is a soul.
2. Always be kind.
3. Be patient.
4. Respect the rules.
5. Set reasonable expectations.
6. File complaints effectively.

Links

• http://customersthatstick.com/blog/uncategorized/how-to-be-a-good-customer-16-ways-to-not-be-a-jerk/
• https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Customer
• http://preachinghelp.org/true-confessions-of-a-church
• http://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/smart-money/a-cheat-sheet-on-tipping-dos-and-donts/#slide=1
• https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/money-etiquette/tipping-etiquette-guide
• https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-s606/United-States:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

In this episode, Gary and Christy discuss some practical tips to help make the holiday season enjoyable while keeping the right perspective on money and material wealth.  First, decide what matters most.  Second, mark your calendar with all the holiday events and commitments that you plan to keep.  Third, make a spending plan, taking care to not exceed the disposable income you have available.

Links

• https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/everydollar-christmas-budget-youve-always-wanted
  Consider what was spent last year and set this year’s budget
  Categorize this year’s Christmas budget
  Commit to sticking to it.
• http://freefrombroke.com/how-to-budget-for-christmas-shopping/
• https://www.moneyunder30.com/budget-for-christmas-presents
  Plan
  Opt out of presents
  DIY
  Use gift cards
  Set limits
  Set goals with your spouse / family – be open about your financial situation instead of blindly moving forward like it’s no big deal.
• https://www.stewardship.com/articles/how-much-money-should-you-spend-on-your-kids-this-christmas

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and while a lot of us are very focused on giving thanks for the blessings we have, our thankfulness shouldn’t be limited to a single holiday or month. In this episode, Gary and Christy talk about three areas that can help us be more grateful each day.

1. Maintain a thankful attitude by focusing on the peace of God.
2. Focus our attention and have a thankful mindset by looking at the promises of God.
3. Guide our actions (like saying “thank you”) by the power of God.

Links

• https://www.theodysseyonline.com/difference-thankful-grateful   an article that emphasizes the importance of expressing thankfulness rather than only feeling thankful.  Tries to distinguish grateful from thankful in that way, but dictionary.com doesn’t support it.
• https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/40-inspiring-motivational-quotes-about-gratitude.html  a list of 40 quotes about gratitude (some used in this episode)
• https://www.unstuck.com/gratitude/  including ways to cultivate gratitude in your life

Even though there isn’t a verse that specifically permits or condemns Christians to practice gambling, the Bible does address this subject. There are Biblical principles like being good stewards, avoiding materialism, and guarding our influence, that Gary and Christy focus on in this episode to answer the question, “Is it a gamble to gamble?”

Links

• https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-does-the-bible-say-about-gambling-1201620.html  an article that incorrectly argues gambling is okay, if certain conditions are met (e.g. it implies casinos are bad but betting on a football pick ‘em is okay).

• https://www.gotquestions.org/gambling-sin.html an article that argues gambling is wrong, focusing on casinos and lottery

• http://preachinghelp.org/if-i-win-the-power-ball#more-3938  an article that provides good Biblical thoughts to consider

• https://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=7&article=1251  an article citing several instances of gambling’s impact on society, arguing that if the fruit is bad, the tree is bad (Matt 7:15-20)

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/archenemy/2016/01/13/the-odds-are-against-you-things-more-likely-than-winning-the-powerball/#159649d34468
  
  

The Fear of missing out, or FOMO, is a fear or apprehension that others are having an experience – usually enjoyable – without me.  If I struggle with FOMO, I may feel like everyone else is having the time of their lives while I’m just trying to figure out how to get through the day.  In this episode, Gary and Christy describe FOMO, list some dangers of this fear, and then offer some tips to overcome it.

Links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_missing_out
• https://lifehacker.com/why-fear-of-missing-out-is-a-good-thing-1754928117
• https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-fear-of-missing-out_b_6109498.html
• http://fomofearofmissingout.com/fomo

There are a lot of things money can buy, including our basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. We need money to survive in this world. On the other hand, there are some important things that money cannot buy. In this episode, Gary and Christy talk about what some of those things are and how the source of those things is God.

Links

• https://www.powerofpositivity.com/10-things-money-cant-buy/
• https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/50-things-money-can-t-buy.html
• https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/you-can-t-buy-happiness
• http://www.businessinsider.com/best-things-in-life-2014-4

Like the Laodiceans in the 1st century church were neither “hot nor cold” for Christ, Christians today have the ability to become lukewarm in their personal finances.  In this episode, Gary and Christy discuss 4 signs that may indicate lukewarm stewardship.

Links

• Click here for all episodes of Bountiful: The Heart of Money Management
• http://www.radicallychristian. com/lifelong-zeal-bible-class- material
• http://www.radicallychristian.com/four-things-every-christian-should-be-passionate-about
• https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-lukewarm-faith.html
• http://www.ibelieve.com/faith/3-signs-you-might-be-a-lukewarm-christian.html