Let's Talk about Money$$$$$

Money$$$$

Does that make you want to read what I have to say? The Lord has been dealing with me about money lately and how our church receives and spends it. Are we Biblically correct in all we do relating to money? God has blessed our church financially with abundant resources and no debt and we praise Him for that. I want to be absolutely sure that every penny we spend will accomplish the higher purpose of the Kingdom and not my personal interests and the interest of individuals. Do we receive too many offerings? Should we only take a Sunday morning offering? Do you feel overwhelmed? Do you think people feel all that we do is ask for money? Is our emphasis on money about right? Please send me an email with your feelings to pastorbriansutton@centurytel.net.

What about our personal life? What about you? Are you "swimming in debt?" I have taught several classes over the years about money and how God views it. Has this helped? Have we changed our ACTIONS? Do you still drive cars you can't afford?

We live in the "consumer" age but I don't believe we as Christians should give in to this mentality. Personally, Renee and I have made a great attempt to become completely debt free. I mean everything! We are on track to completely pay off the one credit card we have and we are driving 5 and 8 year old vehicles in order to pay them off sooner. This is hard work. When you live in a society that advertises that you NEED everything, and you have two children in school, there is a huge temptation to make purchases for things that you don't need, eat out too much and take short cuts to everything. Is this Biblically correct?

I was challenged today as I read an article about money. I ask that you take the time to read it as well at http://www.ctlibrary.com/9778

If you're in debt, you're not alone. Americans owe a staggering $1.2 trillion on their credit cards. How do you get the upper hand with credit card debt? Here are some tips for squeezing out an extra payment each month.

—Use your savings.
With savings accounts yielding only from 2.5 to 3 percent, and credit cards charging 18 percent, you're actually losing money by not applying savings toward debt retirement.

—Track your expenses.
Chip Krueger, president of Fortress Financial in Wheaton, Illinois, suggests keeping a daily log of everything you spend, no matter how insignificant, for at least a month. "You can save $1 a day just by ordering water instead of a Coke at lunch. That's $30 a month."

—Make nickel-and-dime savings.
Set a timer when making long-distance calls, find a bank that offers free checking, join a food co-op, refinance your mortgage to a lower interest rate, drop cable for a year.

—Pay off smaller amounts first.
If you can't consolidate your debt, pay off your smallest debt first. Then, when that's paid off, apply what you were paying to your smallest debt to your next smallest one, and so on.

—Seek counsel.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service (800-388-CCCS) and other groups offer advice.

What to do about college tuition.
"It's unrealistic to expect to pay for your children's education," says Gene Frost, ceo of Hosts (Helping One Student To Succeed) Corporation, an educational firm. "It can't be done-nor should it." If you want to help pay for your child's education, set a goal for the amount you plan to contribute. T. Rowe Price (800-638-5660) and Fidelity (800-544-8888) offer free worksheets to help calculate the price of future ...