Thursday, October 14, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Facts About U.S. Poverty
The three most common reasons people fall into situational poverty are
illness, divorce, and job loss.
About 39.8 million Americans were living in poverty in 2008, up from
37.3 million in 2007. This number is more than the entire population of Canada.
The data for 2008 are in and the numbers tell a troubling story: Children represent 25 percent of the population, yet:
41 percent of all children live in low-income families.
19 percent--14 million--live in poor families.
Today children are nearly twice as likely as adults aged 65 and older to live in poor families.
-National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009
15.6 million people in the U.S. live at half the poverty level, in what is
qualified as “extreme poverty.”
Two-thirds of people living in poverty work more than one job in order to make
ends meet.
Of the 25 richest industrialized nations, the United States has the
highest childhood poverty rate second only to Mexico.
Forty percent of the poor are children, elderly or disabled.
Less than 60 percent of eligible children are served by Head Start, the
national school readiness program for children from low-income families.
Welfare accounts for only 1 percent of the federal budget and 2 percent of the
state budget.
Persons likely to be on welfare longer than the average time had less than 12
years of education.
The average family accessing welfare services is no bigger than the average
family not accessing welfare.
13 million children in America live in families with incomes below the
federal poverty level.
5 million children in America live in families with incomes of less than half
the national poverty level.
In 2004, almost 12 percent (more than one in eight) of American households
with children under 18 were food-insecure—meaning they were not able to access
enough food to meet basic nutritional needs.
Source: www.worldvision.org
illness, divorce, and job loss.
About 39.8 million Americans were living in poverty in 2008, up from
37.3 million in 2007. This number is more than the entire population of Canada.
The data for 2008 are in and the numbers tell a troubling story: Children represent 25 percent of the population, yet:
41 percent of all children live in low-income families.
19 percent--14 million--live in poor families.
Today children are nearly twice as likely as adults aged 65 and older to live in poor families.
-National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009
15.6 million people in the U.S. live at half the poverty level, in what is
qualified as “extreme poverty.”
Two-thirds of people living in poverty work more than one job in order to make
ends meet.
Of the 25 richest industrialized nations, the United States has the
highest childhood poverty rate second only to Mexico.
Forty percent of the poor are children, elderly or disabled.
Less than 60 percent of eligible children are served by Head Start, the
national school readiness program for children from low-income families.
Welfare accounts for only 1 percent of the federal budget and 2 percent of the
state budget.
Persons likely to be on welfare longer than the average time had less than 12
years of education.
The average family accessing welfare services is no bigger than the average
family not accessing welfare.
13 million children in America live in families with incomes below the
federal poverty level.
5 million children in America live in families with incomes of less than half
the national poverty level.
In 2004, almost 12 percent (more than one in eight) of American households
with children under 18 were food-insecure—meaning they were not able to access
enough food to meet basic nutritional needs.
Source: www.worldvision.org
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Great Quotes
“You make your choices and your choices will turn around and make you”
- Hugh Brantley, South Carolina Christian Foundation
“It is much more fun to be a giver than a consumer”
- Alan Barnhart
“To whom much is given, of him will much be required.”
(Luke 12:48)
"Your plenty will supply what they need....You will be made rich in every way so you can be generous on every occasion." (2 Corinthians 8:14, 9:11)
- Hugh Brantley, South Carolina Christian Foundation
“It is much more fun to be a giver than a consumer”
- Alan Barnhart
“To whom much is given, of him will much be required.”
(Luke 12:48)
"Your plenty will supply what they need....You will be made rich in every way so you can be generous on every occasion." (2 Corinthians 8:14, 9:11)
Monday, August 16, 2010
If Christians Tithed
Where Our Money Goes?
$168 billion - The extra money available if all American churchgoers tithed
________________________________________
$705 billion -amount Americans spend on entertainment and recreation
$179 billion -amount spent by teenagers 12-17
$58 billion - amount spent on state lottery tickets
$39.5 billion - total U. S. – government foreign assistance budget for the world
$5 billion - total Overseas ministries income to 700 Protestant mission agencies, including denominational, interdenominational, and independent agencies
What Could $168 Billion Do?
$65 billion - eliminate the most extreme poverty on the planet for more than a billion people.
$6 billion – universal primary education for all children
$9 billion - to bring clean water to most of the world’s poor
$13 billion – basic health and nutrition for everyone in the world
“…………………………….in the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:14-17
$168 billion - The extra money available if all American churchgoers tithed
________________________________________
$705 billion -amount Americans spend on entertainment and recreation
$179 billion -amount spent by teenagers 12-17
$58 billion - amount spent on state lottery tickets
$39.5 billion - total U. S. – government foreign assistance budget for the world
$5 billion - total Overseas ministries income to 700 Protestant mission agencies, including denominational, interdenominational, and independent agencies
What Could $168 Billion Do?
$65 billion - eliminate the most extreme poverty on the planet for more than a billion people.
$6 billion – universal primary education for all children
$9 billion - to bring clean water to most of the world’s poor
$13 billion – basic health and nutrition for everyone in the world
“…………………………….in the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:14-17
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Cultural Challenges
In James Emery White’s book Christ AmongThe Dragons he is attempting to explain the direction that Christians are taking the cultural challenges. I so often hear of how corrupt and immoral that our nation is becoming and far away it is moving from the Christian base that our founding fathers intended. As Christians we are very quick to place blame on the outside world, such as liberals, atheist, politicians, etc. We can bring this nation to a higher moral road by sharing and showing the love of Christ. I believe it is truly the fault of the Christians for not following God’s commandments – We are to be witnesses; we are to make disciples; we are to do justice, love mercy, feed the hungry, and care for the widow and orphans. We must take the responsibility of the immoral path in which our nation is going down. The culture in America has changed but it is due to how lax Christians have become in our padded pews and comfortable, luxurious buildings. Because of this more people are dying and going to Hell and we will have to answer for this on judgment day.
In White’s book he describes it this way: ……. Martin Niemoller, a German Lutheran bishop was called on to negotiate with Adolf Hitler during World War II in the attempt to save the church of Germany from being closed down by the Nazi dictator. Toward the end of his life Niemoller had a recurring dream in which he saw Hitler standing before Jesus on Judgment Day. Jesus got off His throne, put His arm around Hitler and asked, “Adolf! Why did you do the ugly, evil things, you did? Why were you so cruel?” Hitler, with his head bent low, simply answered, “Because nobody ever told me how much you loved me.” - At this point, Niemoller would wake up in a cold sweat remembering the countless meetings he had with Hitler – face to face – and never once said, “By the way, Fuhrer, Jesus loves you! He loves you more than you’ll even know. He loved you so much that He died for you. Do you know that?
For Niemoller, this was a nightmare. For us, it is the heart of our challenge
In White’s book he describes it this way: ……. Martin Niemoller, a German Lutheran bishop was called on to negotiate with Adolf Hitler during World War II in the attempt to save the church of Germany from being closed down by the Nazi dictator. Toward the end of his life Niemoller had a recurring dream in which he saw Hitler standing before Jesus on Judgment Day. Jesus got off His throne, put His arm around Hitler and asked, “Adolf! Why did you do the ugly, evil things, you did? Why were you so cruel?” Hitler, with his head bent low, simply answered, “Because nobody ever told me how much you loved me.” - At this point, Niemoller would wake up in a cold sweat remembering the countless meetings he had with Hitler – face to face – and never once said, “By the way, Fuhrer, Jesus loves you! He loves you more than you’ll even know. He loved you so much that He died for you. Do you know that?
For Niemoller, this was a nightmare. For us, it is the heart of our challenge
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Should a Christian save for retirement?
Over the last couple years my thoughts on retirement have changed a bit. A few years ago, my goal was to retire early and live the easy life. As I have grown in my walk with God, I have found that (my old self-indulgent idea of) retirement doesn’t seem to be mentioned in the Bible. That doesn’t mean we should be chopping logs 10 hours a day when we are 85, but that God has us down here for a purpose and a specific amount of time.
The truth is that God’s plan for us will keep us busy until we die. I don’t think that necessarily means employment until our last breath, but for some it very well could. If His plan is being fulfilled in our lives via our occupation, who are we to say when we are finished?
To save or not to save for retirement
Even though my mind has changed about retirement, I have not stopped saving in my retirement accounts. Regardless of whether or not I am employed full time when I am 70, why not be prepared financially? To me it seems like a much better idea to have cash in the bank, so that I can be free to do whatever God has for me to do.
The worst case scenario is that I have a big chunk of cash that has been earning interest for decades that I can give away to bless someone. To me, saving for retirement seems like a no-brainer.
Bible verses about retirement and resting
While the Bible doesn’t seem to have specific verses referring to retirement, it does point out the importance of rest. God, our creator, understands the value of rest and relaxation. That, of course, is why He created Sundays! To add to that…
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6:31
As far as my previous plans for retirement – the below passage from Luke pretty well summed up my plans. Needless to say, I am glad God showed me the error of my ways…
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21
The thing I have come to realize is that God created us to be in motion. You can use our muscles as an example. If they are not getting pushed, they become weaker. They grow only when they are stretched beyond comfort. Our brains function the same way. They need to be pushed in order to grow and when all pressure is eliminated they begin to atrophy.
This is why work is so beneficial for us. While it is difficult, it makes rest that much more pleasurable.
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. Eccl 5:12
It all comes back to stewardship
The bottom line with the whole retirement savings question is that as stewards we have a responsibility to do the best with what we have been given. Saving with retirement accounts like 401ks or IRAs is a great way to multiply the talents that we have been given. But, it is not the only way. Every person is going to have to give an account of their stewardship to God, so whatever that means for you individually is what you need to do.
- Author unknown
Over the last couple years my thoughts on retirement have changed a bit. A few years ago, my goal was to retire early and live the easy life. As I have grown in my walk with God, I have found that (my old self-indulgent idea of) retirement doesn’t seem to be mentioned in the Bible. That doesn’t mean we should be chopping logs 10 hours a day when we are 85, but that God has us down here for a purpose and a specific amount of time.
The truth is that God’s plan for us will keep us busy until we die. I don’t think that necessarily means employment until our last breath, but for some it very well could. If His plan is being fulfilled in our lives via our occupation, who are we to say when we are finished?
To save or not to save for retirement
Even though my mind has changed about retirement, I have not stopped saving in my retirement accounts. Regardless of whether or not I am employed full time when I am 70, why not be prepared financially? To me it seems like a much better idea to have cash in the bank, so that I can be free to do whatever God has for me to do.
The worst case scenario is that I have a big chunk of cash that has been earning interest for decades that I can give away to bless someone. To me, saving for retirement seems like a no-brainer.
Bible verses about retirement and resting
While the Bible doesn’t seem to have specific verses referring to retirement, it does point out the importance of rest. God, our creator, understands the value of rest and relaxation. That, of course, is why He created Sundays! To add to that…
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6:31
As far as my previous plans for retirement – the below passage from Luke pretty well summed up my plans. Needless to say, I am glad God showed me the error of my ways…
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21
The thing I have come to realize is that God created us to be in motion. You can use our muscles as an example. If they are not getting pushed, they become weaker. They grow only when they are stretched beyond comfort. Our brains function the same way. They need to be pushed in order to grow and when all pressure is eliminated they begin to atrophy.
This is why work is so beneficial for us. While it is difficult, it makes rest that much more pleasurable.
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. Eccl 5:12
It all comes back to stewardship
The bottom line with the whole retirement savings question is that as stewards we have a responsibility to do the best with what we have been given. Saving with retirement accounts like 401ks or IRAs is a great way to multiply the talents that we have been given. But, it is not the only way. Every person is going to have to give an account of their stewardship to God, so whatever that means for you individually is what you need to do.
- Author unknown
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Statistics on Christians
Unevangelized: In 2007, 1.9 billion people worldwide (28% of the population) had yet to hear the message of the gospel.10
Lost: Two-thirds of people alive today do not know the Savior of mankind. This includes 1.35 billion Muslims, 888 million Hindus, 388 million Chinese folk-religionists, 386 million Buddhists, 262 million ethnoreligionists, 106 million New-Religionists, 26 million Sikhs, 15 million Jews, and 154 million atheists.11
Unchurched: The population of un-churched Americans is nearing 100 million.12
Church Attendance: 20 percent of Americans attend weekly religious services. 25.4 percent of conservative Protestants attend a weekly service.13
Poverty: More than 1 billion people live in absolute poverty. This includes 700 million people living in slums, 500 million people on the verge of starvation, 93 million beggars, and 200 million children exploited for labor.14
Christian Wealth and World Poverty: On average, American Christians enjoy an annual household income of $42,409, while 1.2 billion of the world's poorest people must survive on $1 a day.15
The Top Half: In the year 2000, net assets of $2,160 was sufficient to place a household in the top half of the world's wealth distribution.16
Hungry: More than 800 million people go to bed hungry every day.17
Sick: 1.5 billion of the world's people have no access to medical care.19
Homeless: 55 million of the world's people live in caves.20
Uneducated: 121 million children around the world are totally outside of the educational system.21
Oppressed: Oppressive governments deny religious freedom to 2.2 billion people worldwide.22
Enslaved: More than 27 million of the world's people are slaves.23
- source: www.generousgiving.org
Lost: Two-thirds of people alive today do not know the Savior of mankind. This includes 1.35 billion Muslims, 888 million Hindus, 388 million Chinese folk-religionists, 386 million Buddhists, 262 million ethnoreligionists, 106 million New-Religionists, 26 million Sikhs, 15 million Jews, and 154 million atheists.11
Unchurched: The population of un-churched Americans is nearing 100 million.12
Church Attendance: 20 percent of Americans attend weekly religious services. 25.4 percent of conservative Protestants attend a weekly service.13
Poverty: More than 1 billion people live in absolute poverty. This includes 700 million people living in slums, 500 million people on the verge of starvation, 93 million beggars, and 200 million children exploited for labor.14
Christian Wealth and World Poverty: On average, American Christians enjoy an annual household income of $42,409, while 1.2 billion of the world's poorest people must survive on $1 a day.15
The Top Half: In the year 2000, net assets of $2,160 was sufficient to place a household in the top half of the world's wealth distribution.16
Hungry: More than 800 million people go to bed hungry every day.17
Sick: 1.5 billion of the world's people have no access to medical care.19
Homeless: 55 million of the world's people live in caves.20
Uneducated: 121 million children around the world are totally outside of the educational system.21
Oppressed: Oppressive governments deny religious freedom to 2.2 billion people worldwide.22
Enslaved: More than 27 million of the world's people are slaves.23
- source: www.generousgiving.org
Monday, May 31, 2010
Why Should Christians Give?
Why Give?
1. Obedience -
On the first day of the week let each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crop; then you barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need (Ephesians 4:28)
2. Rewards
Give it and it shall be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:23)
3. Recognition of God’s Ownership
Yours, Oh Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on the earth is yours, Oh Lord, and this is your Kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that you that people are made great and given strength. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalms 24:1)
4. To Gain an Eternal Perspective
So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and dispraise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money (Luke 16:11-13)
Command them to do good, to rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves and a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:18-19)
5. Love
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthian 8:9)
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17)
1. Obedience -
On the first day of the week let each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crop; then you barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need (Ephesians 4:28)
2. Rewards
Give it and it shall be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:23)
3. Recognition of God’s Ownership
Yours, Oh Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on the earth is yours, Oh Lord, and this is your Kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that you that people are made great and given strength. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalms 24:1)
4. To Gain an Eternal Perspective
So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and dispraise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money (Luke 16:11-13)
Command them to do good, to rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves and a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:18-19)
5. Love
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthian 8:9)
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17)
Monday, May 3, 2010
Profiles of Christians Who Rob God
Bill and Donna
The Situation: Bill and Dona are in their mid-thirties. Bill has steady work as a salesman, but there always seems to be too much month left at the end of their money. Bill and Donna sincerely intend to put in the offering box whatever’s left at the end of the month. But, between house payments and bills and occasionally socking a little money into savings, there’s just never anything left. They fell bad, but what can you to when you are out of money?
The Problem: Bill and Donna don’t understand “first fruits.” They should give to the Lord off the top, not out of “what’s left” of no left. They don’t realize that the tithe belongs to God, and that there’s a word for taking money and that doesn’t belong to you – stealing.
Bob and Elaine
The Situation: Bob is in his early fifties. His wife Elaine says, “for years we frittered away our income on all kinds of luxuries. Now we’re twelve years from retirement and we don’t have anything saved. On top of that, we’ve still got two kids in college that need our help. “we’d like to give to the church,” Bob explains. “But Scripture says we’ve got to provide for our family first. After we get our kids through school and maybe get a nest egg started, then we’ll start giving.
The Problem: Bob and Elaine are keeping what belongs to God in order to compensate for their poor planning and lack of discipline in the past. Their first debt is not to their children’s college education. Their first debt is to God. If it wasn’t tuition cost, it would be something else. Since they have no true conviction about giving and no standard of giving to start wit, they’ll always find a reason not to give.
The Situation: Bill and Dona are in their mid-thirties. Bill has steady work as a salesman, but there always seems to be too much month left at the end of their money. Bill and Donna sincerely intend to put in the offering box whatever’s left at the end of the month. But, between house payments and bills and occasionally socking a little money into savings, there’s just never anything left. They fell bad, but what can you to when you are out of money?
The Problem: Bill and Donna don’t understand “first fruits.” They should give to the Lord off the top, not out of “what’s left” of no left. They don’t realize that the tithe belongs to God, and that there’s a word for taking money and that doesn’t belong to you – stealing.
Bob and Elaine
The Situation: Bob is in his early fifties. His wife Elaine says, “for years we frittered away our income on all kinds of luxuries. Now we’re twelve years from retirement and we don’t have anything saved. On top of that, we’ve still got two kids in college that need our help. “we’d like to give to the church,” Bob explains. “But Scripture says we’ve got to provide for our family first. After we get our kids through school and maybe get a nest egg started, then we’ll start giving.
The Problem: Bob and Elaine are keeping what belongs to God in order to compensate for their poor planning and lack of discipline in the past. Their first debt is not to their children’s college education. Their first debt is to God. If it wasn’t tuition cost, it would be something else. Since they have no true conviction about giving and no standard of giving to start wit, they’ll always find a reason not to give.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Adult Children and Parent's Money
Why does money destroy families?
Inheritances or gifts to children by parents can cause tremendous tension among siblings or between parents and children. For example if a car is purchased for a child or if a parent helps with the down payment on a house and the same treatment is not given to their siblings friction may occur within the family. This often the case in at the death of a parent. It is not so much the money as it is real estate or personal items that create the division between family members.
Much of a person's perception and understanding of money goes back to what their parents taught them. "Whether or not you are successful as a parent will not be determined until your children have raised their children." -Dr. Howard Hendricks
One of the most important things to do for your children is to have a family meeting to discuss your wishes. This is a very important step whether you have millions or very little. This should be done with all of your adult children and possibly their spouses. The meeting should be in a comfortable setting. The parents should express the wealth transfer process at their death and who is to receive what items. Allow each child to express his or her feelings without any interuptions. If there are differences in opinion allow an open discussion. They will hear their parents wishes directly from the mouth of mom and dad rather than an attorney reading it from the will. Everyone may not leave the room completely satisfied but they will definitely not be surprised by their parents decision. This will tremendously reduce the stress and tension in the family.
"Love your children equally but treat them uniquely." - author unknown. The family conference will the one of the best things that a parent can do for their children. It will likely bring the family closer together in the end.
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 NIV)
Inheritances or gifts to children by parents can cause tremendous tension among siblings or between parents and children. For example if a car is purchased for a child or if a parent helps with the down payment on a house and the same treatment is not given to their siblings friction may occur within the family. This often the case in at the death of a parent. It is not so much the money as it is real estate or personal items that create the division between family members.
Much of a person's perception and understanding of money goes back to what their parents taught them. "Whether or not you are successful as a parent will not be determined until your children have raised their children." -Dr. Howard Hendricks
One of the most important things to do for your children is to have a family meeting to discuss your wishes. This is a very important step whether you have millions or very little. This should be done with all of your adult children and possibly their spouses. The meeting should be in a comfortable setting. The parents should express the wealth transfer process at their death and who is to receive what items. Allow each child to express his or her feelings without any interuptions. If there are differences in opinion allow an open discussion. They will hear their parents wishes directly from the mouth of mom and dad rather than an attorney reading it from the will. Everyone may not leave the room completely satisfied but they will definitely not be surprised by their parents decision. This will tremendously reduce the stress and tension in the family.
"Love your children equally but treat them uniquely." - author unknown. The family conference will the one of the best things that a parent can do for their children. It will likely bring the family closer together in the end.
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 NIV)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Giving Among Christians
Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a man’s real nature, money is of first importance. Money is an exact index to a man’s true character. All through Scripture there is an intimate correlation between the development of a man’s character and how he handles his money. - Richard Halverson
I have always said that the strength of a person's faith can be determined by looking at only two things – their checkbook and tax return. It is not the amount but rather how faithful one is with the resources in which God has blessed us.
Here are some facts:
•IRS – Tax returns show that giving is inversely related to income. The more income the less we give.
•Barna – 37% of people who go to church regularly give $0
•Ronsavelle – in the 1990’s, evangelical giving fell from 6.38% to 4.08% of income
•Prudential – only 8% of wills contain giving
•Only 3%-5% of those who donate money to a church tithe (give 10% of their incomes). Among evangelical, 9% tithed in 2002. (Barna)
•If Christian giving increased from 2.5% (the current rate) to 10% of income (a simple tithe), an additional $150 billion would be available for Kingdom Work.
•Most church giving comes from people over age 55.
•Howard Dayton, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries, states that with many pastors, most of their giving comes from members over 65. They estimate that it takes 5 people under age 35 to replace one senior’s giving.
The Ultimate Reason for Giving: Giving breaks the power of money-God wants my heart, not my money. Matthew 6:19-24.
The average Christian continues to take a Modern and Post-modern worldview on their finances and possessions rather than a Biblical Worldview. If one continues to spend as the world does and not give as God commands there will be a constant battle between them and God. They will never reach the full potential for the blessings that God has in store for them.
I have always said that the strength of a person's faith can be determined by looking at only two things – their checkbook and tax return. It is not the amount but rather how faithful one is with the resources in which God has blessed us.
Here are some facts:
•IRS – Tax returns show that giving is inversely related to income. The more income the less we give.
•Barna – 37% of people who go to church regularly give $0
•Ronsavelle – in the 1990’s, evangelical giving fell from 6.38% to 4.08% of income
•Prudential – only 8% of wills contain giving
•Only 3%-5% of those who donate money to a church tithe (give 10% of their incomes). Among evangelical, 9% tithed in 2002. (Barna)
•If Christian giving increased from 2.5% (the current rate) to 10% of income (a simple tithe), an additional $150 billion would be available for Kingdom Work.
•Most church giving comes from people over age 55.
•Howard Dayton, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries, states that with many pastors, most of their giving comes from members over 65. They estimate that it takes 5 people under age 35 to replace one senior’s giving.
The Ultimate Reason for Giving: Giving breaks the power of money-God wants my heart, not my money. Matthew 6:19-24.
The average Christian continues to take a Modern and Post-modern worldview on their finances and possessions rather than a Biblical Worldview. If one continues to spend as the world does and not give as God commands there will be a constant battle between them and God. They will never reach the full potential for the blessings that God has in store for them.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Union in Crisis
In the Mid 1700s there was a man by the name of John Newton. He was the captain of a slave ship that transported slaves from Africa to the West Indies and other parts of the world. In 1748 he cried out to God in the time of dire need - his ship was filling with water during a terrible storm. On his way back to Liverpool, England he began reading the Bible and other literature on Christianity. Even though he gave his life to Christ, he continued his career in slave trade. Some called him a hypocrite. He agreed, saying that he could not consider himself a believer until he gave up slave trading.
Newton later became a lay minister and wrote many hymns, the most recognized being “Amazing Grace.”
The story does not end there. John Newton was a mentor in the life of William Wilberforce. Wilberforce was a member of the House of Parliament and spent 26 years of his career attempting to abolish slave trade. Many of the Parliament members were slave owners and did not see slavery as a conflict to their moral principles. It is sad to say that it took so long for him and many others to convince the majority of Parliament that slavery was wrong and immoral.
Finally, through Wilberforce's tireless efforts, The Slave Trade Act of 1807 was passed abolishing slave trade. Eventually, the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 was passed, completely abolishing slavery.
How is this relevant to poverty in Union, South Carolina? For most of us, we simply pass by those in need thinking that it is not OUR problem. We believe that because we have done all of the right things in life, we are better off. We see others as lesser for making bad decisions or falling on hard times. This is similar to the way the British Parliament viewed slavery. They did not see these people as being equal or even being “people”. This was simply because they were born in a different part of the world and had darker skin. But finally, a small group of people, including Wilberforce, rallied for a change by showing that slave trade and slavery was immoral and wrong. Turning our backs to our brothers and sisters in need is also morally and Biblically wrong.
Union has been through tremendous hardship over the past several years with leadership failures, fraud, and corruption in many levels of government. In addition to this, unemployment is north of 21%, while the national average is less than 10%. Over 30% of the citizens receive Medicaid benefits; at least 74% of children receive free or reduced lunch; teen pregnancy is the highest in the state; more than 18% of the families in Union live under the poverty level (as of 2000 census - probably higher today), while the national average is 13.4%.
This is a WAKE UP CALL for all citizens of Union, especially Christians. Not only are we failing to fulfill God’s commandments but we are letting our community continue to worsen. We must do what is moral as humans and what is our duty as Christians. It is not too late.
Similar to the verse in “Amazing Grace”- Union is Lost but can again be Found. To begin with, it’s time to call the Christian community to follow the commandments of God to help the “least of my brothers” (Matthew 25:31-46). This should not be done simply by giving them a handout but rather a hand up. Over the next several weeks there will be an announcement of the creation of an organization that will focus on bringing the community together in an effort to help those in need by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing for the emergency physical needs, and guiding them through the transition into a productive meaningful life.
Joe E. Hines, Jr.
Joe is a Certified Financial Planner and Partner with Global View Investment Advisors, LLC with offices in Greenville and Charleston, SC. He is a director on the Governing Board of Miracle Hill Ministries, Member of the Greenville Estate Planning Council, and on a mission to fight poverty in South Carolina.
Newton later became a lay minister and wrote many hymns, the most recognized being “Amazing Grace.”
The story does not end there. John Newton was a mentor in the life of William Wilberforce. Wilberforce was a member of the House of Parliament and spent 26 years of his career attempting to abolish slave trade. Many of the Parliament members were slave owners and did not see slavery as a conflict to their moral principles. It is sad to say that it took so long for him and many others to convince the majority of Parliament that slavery was wrong and immoral.
Finally, through Wilberforce's tireless efforts, The Slave Trade Act of 1807 was passed abolishing slave trade. Eventually, the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 was passed, completely abolishing slavery.
How is this relevant to poverty in Union, South Carolina? For most of us, we simply pass by those in need thinking that it is not OUR problem. We believe that because we have done all of the right things in life, we are better off. We see others as lesser for making bad decisions or falling on hard times. This is similar to the way the British Parliament viewed slavery. They did not see these people as being equal or even being “people”. This was simply because they were born in a different part of the world and had darker skin. But finally, a small group of people, including Wilberforce, rallied for a change by showing that slave trade and slavery was immoral and wrong. Turning our backs to our brothers and sisters in need is also morally and Biblically wrong.
Union has been through tremendous hardship over the past several years with leadership failures, fraud, and corruption in many levels of government. In addition to this, unemployment is north of 21%, while the national average is less than 10%. Over 30% of the citizens receive Medicaid benefits; at least 74% of children receive free or reduced lunch; teen pregnancy is the highest in the state; more than 18% of the families in Union live under the poverty level (as of 2000 census - probably higher today), while the national average is 13.4%.
This is a WAKE UP CALL for all citizens of Union, especially Christians. Not only are we failing to fulfill God’s commandments but we are letting our community continue to worsen. We must do what is moral as humans and what is our duty as Christians. It is not too late.
Similar to the verse in “Amazing Grace”- Union is Lost but can again be Found. To begin with, it’s time to call the Christian community to follow the commandments of God to help the “least of my brothers” (Matthew 25:31-46). This should not be done simply by giving them a handout but rather a hand up. Over the next several weeks there will be an announcement of the creation of an organization that will focus on bringing the community together in an effort to help those in need by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing for the emergency physical needs, and guiding them through the transition into a productive meaningful life.
Joe E. Hines, Jr.
Joe is a Certified Financial Planner and Partner with Global View Investment Advisors, LLC with offices in Greenville and Charleston, SC. He is a director on the Governing Board of Miracle Hill Ministries, Member of the Greenville Estate Planning Council, and on a mission to fight poverty in South Carolina.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Steward in the Kingdom
R. Scott Rodin, in his book Stewards in the Kingdom, has vividly descreived the relations of money to our faith:
We must never for single moment lose sight of the stark realization that whenever we deal with money, we are dealing with dynamite. That is the one day that which we control, the next day becomes the controller. Such dynamite must be defused, and the greatest defuser that we as Christians have at our disposal is the opportunity to take that which seeks to dominate us and simply give it away. Think about it. There is not greater expression of money's total lack of dominance over us or of its low priority in our lives than when we can with joy and peace, give it away for the Lord's work. You cannot worship the God of mammon and be a free and cheerful giver. Likewise, you cannot serve the living God and be a hoarder of his resources. Giving, both how we give and how much we give, is the clearest outward expression of who our God really is. Our check stubs speak more honestly of our priorities than our church memberships.
We must never for single moment lose sight of the stark realization that whenever we deal with money, we are dealing with dynamite. That is the one day that which we control, the next day becomes the controller. Such dynamite must be defused, and the greatest defuser that we as Christians have at our disposal is the opportunity to take that which seeks to dominate us and simply give it away. Think about it. There is not greater expression of money's total lack of dominance over us or of its low priority in our lives than when we can with joy and peace, give it away for the Lord's work. You cannot worship the God of mammon and be a free and cheerful giver. Likewise, you cannot serve the living God and be a hoarder of his resources. Giving, both how we give and how much we give, is the clearest outward expression of who our God really is. Our check stubs speak more honestly of our priorities than our church memberships.
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