Faith and Finances

"Is it OK to play the lottery?"

"Can Christians play the lottery?"

"Is playing the lottery a sin?"

These are common questions when considering buying one of those tickets or "Scratchers."

Sometimes entertaining the thought of just how much good you can do with the winnings: build churches, feed the poor, send missionaries—almost justifies the act.

What does Scripture say? While we do not find the words "Lottery" or "Scratchers" in the Bible; let's consider the principles that apply in an effort to guide us in this matter.

In This Episode We Look At:

The desire that drives one to play the lottery. Often the lottery is looked at as a potential way out of financial woes; indicating someone is discontent with their current finances. Jesus warns of covetousness in Luke 12:15, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

It is diligent and wise labor that brings financial profit. Proverbs 14:23 "In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury." Proverbs 13:11 "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."

The warnings of wealth. They that desire to be rich, "…fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:9-10

Today's Resources and Links:

Lotto winner wishes he had torn up ticket

A treasury of terribly sad stories of lottery winners

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

When you hear the news of a pending, enormous jackpot payout; decide to "set your affections on the things above, not on things on the earth." Rehearse in your mind and heart all the things you are thankful for.

What Are Your Thoughts?

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

This week we have the privilege of bringing you a great interview with Dr. Tom Shepherd. He is currently Chief Operating Officer of Lancaster Baptist Church, West Coast Baptist College, Striving Together Publications, and Lancaster Baptist School.

We believe it will be a blessing and an encouragement to you as you learn Dr. Shepherd's journey of working as CEO of several Hospitals, to retiring as Vice President of DeVry, and then coming out of retirement and into ministry.

In This Episode We Look At:

• Dr. Tom Shepherd holds several distinguished degrees including Doctor of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Shepherd shares with us, while serving at a very young age as CEO of Diagnostic Hospital, how God lead him to various career and company changes which stretched and grew his faith.
• By faith, he started a healthcare company while having eight children to feed. One of his endeavors was even a 21,000 turkey farm! Later, Tom was recruited by DeVry to serve as the Executive Vice President of their Medical Veterinary School.
• While his career path has been quite impressive, what's more remarkable is the decision Dr. Shepherd made after a well-deserved retirement; returning to work! But this return wasn't for monetary reasons. We will learn how he was called and what inspired him to come on board with Lancaster Baptist Church and Ministries.
• There are many decisions in life and career that are not black and white; not morally right or wrong. So how can we know where God wants us to work? And where does He want us to serve? I believe we can learn a lot from Dr. Shepherd's life, career, and ministry experience!

Today's Resources and Links:

• Tom on Twitter
• "The Fourth Quarter", Dr Don Sisk [Affiliate Link]
• "Good to Great" [Affiliate Link]
• "Essentialism" [Affiliate Link]

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

• Is God challenging you in your current career? Is He leaning on your heart about ministry? Remember that the purpose of our lives is to glorify God.
• Are you approaching traditional retirement age? Consider how you may apply your skills and work experience to serve the Lord during your "Fourth Quarter".

What Are Your Thoughts?

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

U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs reported in 2002 that the fastest-growing group of bankruptcy filers was those age 25 and younger (U.S. Congress 2002).

In a 2009 survey on credit card use among undergraduate students, 84% of students said they needed more education on financial management topics, 64% would have liked to receive information about financial management topics in high school (Sallie Mae 2009).

There is a great need for financial literacy among young people.

How can we help our children?

In This Episode We Look At:

• The powerful impact of our influence
• Children quickly pick up our attitudes toward money, whether they are good or bad, healthy or unhealthy. What do your children hear when you talk about money matters? What do your children see when you shop, budget, and pay bills?
• Teach Financial Bible Principles appropriate for their age: Tithing, Helping Others, Saving, and Pleasing the Lord with our finances.

Today's Resources and Links:

• Money Matters for Kids, by Larry Burkett [Affiliate Link]
• My Giving Bank [Affiliate Link]
• 2 Free Ideas for Kid's Banks: Idea 1—Idea 2

One Thing You Can Do Today to Help Your Children With Finances:

• Remember that is more important to nurture a child's heart as you teach them about money, than to manage their behavior. Read the Scripture that applies to the principle you are teaching. This also helps them to hide God's Word in their heart.

What Are Your Thoughts?

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

According to the Federal Reserve's Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2014, 47% of households indicate that they would have great difficulty handling an unexpected $400 expense.

No one likes unexpected expenses. There are plenty of other ways we would enjoy spending that money. But this report points to a heavier matter. If so many households are unprepared for such a modest expense, where do we stand in our preparation for our future income needs?

In This Episode We Look At:

• Four hindrances that keep us from saving and investing; Time, Money, Misconceptions, and Presuming God's grace will make up for our lack of planning.
• Scripture teaches us that is it wise to save for a known future need.
• Saving for our family's financial future requires faith and action.
• We discuss practical applications for saving and investing today.

Today's Resources and Links:

• Budgeting worksheet- Feel free to save a copy and use how you'd like.

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

• Decide to make saving and investing a priority after tithing and offerings. Diligently look through your monthly household expenses and capture dollars that can be directed toward savings and investing.

What Are Your Thoughts?

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

There are plenty of programs and systems out there that teach you how to get out of debt. Unfortunately, without knowing the biblical principles and addressing the heart; staying debt free is unlikely.

Today we will look at credit in terms of indebtedness.

In This Episode We Look At:

• The incredible financial similarities between Christians and the world
• Bible principles that speak to the heart of debt problems such as: Learning to be content, fleeing covetousness, and avoiding materialism
• Avoiding debt altogether. We discuss Proverbs 22:7 where the rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender

Today's Resources and Links:

• Christians Conquering Credit: Part One
• 11 Questions to Ask Ourselves About Debt by Randy Alcorn
• The Skit Guys "Meet The Sanders: Bailout"

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

• Purpose in your heart and mind to honor the Lord in your finances by saving for needed purchases and avoid getting yourself into debt. Remind yourself of the many financial promises of God: Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 3:9-10, and 2 or 9:8-10

What Are Your Thoughts?

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

The questions are often asked:

"Is it Okay for Christians to be wealthy?"

"Is it right, wrong, or what?"

Let's see what the Bible says about that subject.

In This Episode We Look At:

• Wealth is a matter of the heart—throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we see the subject of wealth directed toward the heart
• The Purpose of wealth:
  • To meet our needs
  • To further the Kingdom
  • To help our neighbor- especially those of the household of faith
• Warnings regarding wealth: we are not to desire to be rich, love wealth, trust wealth, or hoard wealth

Today's Resources and Links:

• Hosea 13:6-9
• Matthew 19:16-22
• 1 Timothy 6:6-19
• The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn [Affiliate Link]

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

• While chained as a prisoner in a Roman prison, Paul wrote, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Phil. 4:11). How much does it take to get us feeling discontent? Remember that all we have is from God. Thank God daily for His provision (James 1:17), honor the Lord with your substance, and remember that, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." (Luke 16:10)

What Are Your Thoughts?

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

Regardless of how well we may prepare, financial struggles strike in different forms and at various times in our lives. What is the nature of these struggles and what counsel does the Bible offer?

In This Episode We Look At:

• Two categories of financial struggles: A Father-filtered trial or a self-inflicted struggle; and how to discern each
• The biblical approach to handling each type of financial struggle
• Reviewing some of God's promises related to our finances

Today's Resources and Links:

• 1 Peter 1:6-7

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

• Remember that the desired result in every financial trial is that your faith would be strengthened to the glory of God; and that (strengthened faith) is actually more valuable than gold (the money we are struggling about).

What Are Your Thoughts?

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

It's natural to look around and view things like houses, cars, family, and possessions as ours.

Even toddlers learn on their own that the thing they want is "Mine!" We've read Scripture and are likely familiar with "This earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof", but we very likely miss the powerful implications of acknowledging God's ownership.

In This Episode We Look At:

• The incredible biblical truths related to God's ownership of our families, careers, finances, future, and even our very selves
• Our individual skills and ability to earn income are from God; so we can fully trust Him
• God's ownership of our cares and trials, and how that should impact our daily walk with Him

Today's Resources and Links:

• Faith and Finances [Affiliate Link]

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

• Consciously and prayerfully acknowledge that all that you have is from God and rightfully belongs to Him. Enjoy the peace of knowing that God takes excellent care of all that is His!

What Are Your Thoughts?

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

Welcome, and thank you for choosing to listen to the Faith and Finances Podcast. You will hear Christ-focused financial teaching, addressing each financial topic from the viewpoint of, "What does the Bible teach about this?"

In This Episode We Look At:

• A brief background of Tim Rosen and his teaching ministry
• A brief background of Troy Barrilleaux
• The vision of the Faith and Finances weekly Podcast

Today's Resources and Links:

• www.TimRosen.org
• Faith and Finances [Affiliate Link]

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

• Join us each week as we search Scripture for wisdom and guidance in the area of finances and learn practical applications for your financial life today.

What Are Your Thoughts?

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