Faith and Finances

Ah, marriage! It's that moment when two hearts become one and each one instantly understands the other and agree on all matters…

Now back to reality.

In This Episode, We Look At:

We all have our individual beliefs

Destructive Beliefs lead to: Stress, shame, guilt, fear, pain, selfishness, worry, doubt, suffering; potential sins such as covetousness, greed and idolatry.

Healthy Beliefs lead to: Love, joy, peace, energy, passion, fun, accomplishments

Paying the personal price

There is a personal price we pay when we do not identify and resolve conflicting beliefs about money. These include:

Income, savings, giving, helping others, confidence, satisfaction, relationships, communication, personal happiness, health, well-being

Replace the destructive belief with a true, healthy belief

Example: I could replace a destructive belief of "There's no point in having a savings; something always comes up."

With: "Praise God I have an income and can find some extra dollars to save for when things come up."

Lastly: Put your new belief(s) into action

Today's Resources and Links:

Faith and Finances: Eternal Promises for Today's Resources, By Tim Rosen

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Financial World:

Seek first to understand your spouse before you desire to be understood. Identify each other's strengths. Apply those strengths to your finances.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

As Christians we live in the world, but are not of the world.

This means that we must use discernment regarding the world's view of money, riches, and success.

As Christians, we have the ONE resource with the guidance we need—The Bible.

In This Episode, We Look At:

What is the Purpose of Money?

The World says "To pursue happiness and acquire power."

God's Word teaches that it is to equip us for every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

If you give to God, church, or missionaries…..

The World says you will have less for you and your family.

God's Word teaches that we will "increase".

Proverbs 11:24-25

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;

and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

The liberal soul shall be made fat:

and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

If you want something…..

The world says, "Get it, you deserve it, charge it".

God's Word teaches us to save and avoid covetousness.

Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Colossians 3:5

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

The World

Measures you financially by how much money you make, accumulate, and what you spend it on. We are even valued and identified by what we do for a living; as if our worth equals our career title.

God

Measures you by what you do with what He has entrusted you with.

Luke 19:17

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Financial World:

God's ways are not our ways. His ways—His plans for us are so much greater than we can imagine. When we purpose to view and handle money through the lens and direction of His Word, we reap His peace, provision, and promises.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

Newsflash—we live in a materialistic world. While Troy and I enjoy our share of "things" in this life, we realize that we are not immune to pull of materialism.

In This Episode, We Look At:

The world measures you by what you have

And it's answer to abundance is, "More!"

Materialism is finding fulfillment in anything or anyone rather than God

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15

Materialism is trusting in money, instead of trusting in the Lord

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 1 Timothy 6:17

The unintended consequences of materialism

We are drawn to idolatry: Colossians 3:5

Self-destruction: 1 Timothy 6:9-10

Loss of opportunity to impact eternity

Escaping the trap of materialism

Stop and think: Luke 15:17

Remember the Lord's ownership: 1 Cor 6:19-20

Work your plan: Luke 15:18

Abundant living

Contentment: Phi 4:11

An Eternal Mentality

The Riches of His glory

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Financial World:

Ask the Lord to "search me O God, and know my heart, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

We need God's daily searching to keep materialism from getting a hold of our hearts.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

If you have a Pastor that preaches the Word of God without compromise, that is something to be thankful for and to rejoice over.

Pastors face many challenges, temptations, and bear burdens that the average church member may be unaware of.

In This Episode, We Look At:

A Pastor's Calling:

Preach the Word—this of course requires hours of study, prayer, and preparation

Nurture the body of Christ—through discipleship and personal investment in their lives.

Common Challenges for Pastors:

An "extra helping" of temptations and spiritual attacks

Critical church members: complaints, gossip, and a wrong view of financial support

The need to compartmentalize; often preaching moments after counselling others over a sin issue

Carrying extra burdens

Supporting Your Pastor:

Pray regularly for his protection as well as a guarded heart and mind

Be in your place:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Speak well of him and defend him (try to avoid throwing blows!)

Encourage and participate in his financial support

Today's Resources:

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:17

"Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things."

Gal 6:6

"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."

1 Cor. 9:14

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

Before Christ ascended into Heaven, He used parables to teach and prepare us for His departure from earth.

In Luke 19 verse 12's parable, the nobleman (representing Christ) tells his servants, "Occupy till I come", as he is about to depart.

What is occupying in the 21st century defined for us?

In This Episode, We Look At: Beginning with the end in mind:

In both parables of the faithful stewards (Luke 19 and Matthew 25), they were all required to give an account of their stewardship upon their master's return.

They were either rewarded for their faithfulness or lost what they were entrusted with because of their unfaithfulness.

Redeeming the Time, for the days are evil:

Time is a valuable and finite resource. We each have a fixed amount.

How will we steward the time gifted to us?

Walk in the Spirit. Then we will be led by the Spirit to do God's will–not ours.

What is in Your Hand?

What have we been entrusted with, to Occupy with, until the Lord returns?

• The gospel
• Your calling
• Your testimony
• Your family
• Spiritual gifts, abilities (teaching, compassion, discernment)
• Resources (monetary and other physical)

Today's Resources:

2 Peter 3:10-11 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.

Ephesians 5: 14-16 Wherefore he saith, lAwake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Financial World:

We can occupy more effectively when we are mindful that our lives are as a vapor. We can be called home to Heaven at any moment.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

1 Cor. 6:19-20

Scripture teaches us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and that our bodies belong to God. His Word says that we are to glorify Him in our body and in our spirit.

In This Episode We Look At:

Are we taking care of the temple?

Are we doing our part to attain and/or maintain health so that we can better serve the Lord?

What kind of rationalizations do we tell ourselves when we consume food that should not enter our bodies? As Christians, we are not exempt to the consequences of neglecting our health.

Our Actions are going to come from our closely-held beliefs

If we believe that we can eat unhealthily "a little bit here, a little bit there"–we will reap the consequences.

If we believe that we should be faithful stewards of our health; we will seek to eat better and move more!

Practical Steps for improved, healthy temples:

• Remember your protein and veggies
• Consistency pays off (small adjustments adhered to consistently)
• Do cardio (see your doctor first if you haven't done cardio in a while or quickly have loss of breath)
• Get Stronger: utilize exercise such as squats, pushups, pull ups, and lunges
• Get plenty of sleep–make it a priority

Today's Resources and Links:

Mark Sisson's recommendations on diet and fitness.

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Financial World:

Start with one modest and measurable adjustment to your eating habits (like, eliminating processed sugar) and show yourself that you can stick with it. You will see a marked difference in your stamina and your waistline.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

This time of year is crowded with lists, ambitions, goals, and resolutions. I'm a huge advocate for written goals. I've also witnessed far too many individuals abandoning their New Year's resolutions and commitments simply from being overwhelmed in the enormity of new tasks to tackle.

In This Episode We Look At:

Financial goals are great to have and we should have them.

They need to be specific and measurable; we can't strive for "I want to better with my money this year."

I advise against too many financials goals for one period - you are more likely to get frustrated and quit when attempting to tackle "7 new ways to handle your money".

The One activity that can impact your entire financial picture:

Have a clear picture of where every dollar is going.

Write it out or print it out. Have a clear listing of where all your dollars are going.

This one activity is very eye-opening and will lead you to the starting point of taking control over your money versus your money controlling you.

A goal to be debt-free can be attained when you map your "outflow" of dollars and intentionally re-direct money toward eliminating debt.

Today's Resources and Links:

The ONE Thing, by Gary Keller.

Psalm 112:5-7

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth:

He will guide his affairs with kdiscretion.

Surely he shall not be moved for ever:

The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:

His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Review your bank statements and list the total dollars that are being allocated to variable expenses such as: shopping, entertainment, dining out, and personal care. Identify amounts that can be reduced in these areas then re-allocate those dollars to more important areas such as: savings, giving, debt-reduction.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

Tim and Troy take liberty in this episode to read to you, our beloved listener, the classic poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

Since Troy is from New Orleans, he has to add a Cajun flavor to this iconic tome.

In This Episode We Look At:

Cajun Troy reading Louisiana's beloved, "Cajun Night Before Christmas" in a Cajun accent.

Tim rescues this classic piece of literature with an English interpretation!

Today's Resources and Links:

Cajun Night Before Christmas - words on the Web

Twas the Night Before Christmas - Clement Clark Moore

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Have a wonderful Christmas. Celebrate Christ's birth. Love God and one another!

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

Giving gifts has been an internal part of celebrating Christmas around the world for over two thousand years. The Magi brought their physical gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, to Jesus as an act of worship.

They were valuable gifts, and the recipient was more than worthy of their worship.

Where are we in our worship of Christ today?

In This Episode We Look At:

Gift-giving is an expression of our love and thoughtfulness.

Do we include Jesus in our annual gift-giving?

What is worship?

Worship defined:

1. the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity:
2. the acts or rites that make up a formal expression of reverence for a deity; a religious ceremony or ceremonies:
3. adoration or devotion comparable to religious homage, shown toward a person or principle:

Giving to the Lord is an act of worship:

• We give something we value (money, time), to whom we value.
• It is an expression of our love and adoration.

The Gift has a cost (money, time, skill). 2 Samuel 24:22,24

The successful person has learned how to make money, but the significant person has learned how to give it away" Ken Blanchard

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Involve the whole family and prayerfully talk about what the family can give to Jesus: bringing treats to a widow, sending gifts to the children of Missionaries, or giving a special offering for something that your church building/property needs.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

Sleep… Who doesn't enjoy a good night's sleep? Research shows us that many people do not.

But, what does this have to do with Finances?

It has a lot to do with stewardship. The lack of sleep can definitely impact your stewardship.

In This Episode We Look At: The adverse effects of poor sleep habits on our health.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.—Psalm 127:1–2

We discuss real-world health crises due to sleep deprivation; it's more common than you may think.

God is the Provider of sleep;

Psalm 4:8

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:

For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Troy and I share practical methods you can use to help improve the quality and quantity of your sleep.

Sleep is a reward for "…he who labors."

Ecc. 5:12

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

The consequences of over indulgence of sleep.

Proverbs 20:13

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty;

Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

Today's Resources and Links:

Live Lighter, Love Better by Cary Schmidt

Stewarding Life by Dr. Paul Chappell

Best Night Sleep article on HuffPost

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Decide to make adequate sleep a priority. Schedule your sleep time and keep to your schedule.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.