by Crown Financial Ministries

Because materialism was a danger for everyone with whom Jesus associated, He taught pointedly against allowing materialism to control their decisions and lives. As it was with Jesus, so it is with ministers today. Because of the dangers of materialism, they must warn those God has placed under their spiritual care about becoming slaves to materialism.

Ministers know and most of them teach that the quality of life does not depend on the abundance of possessions. But what should they teach in regard to what to do with possessions?

Stewards

What is to be done with material possessions? Jesus told the rich young ruler to give them away. The good Samaritan paid for the care of one that was hurting and was in need. Various women gave to support Jesus’ ministry. Jesus told His disciples to give to the poor and needy. All of His followers are to lay up treasures in heaven.

We are all stewards of what God has entrusted to us—talents, possessions, income, gifts, family, and jobs—and we must be prepared to give an account of how well we managed all that He has provided. “It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” 1 Corinthians 4:2.

All that we classify as “our possessions” are in reality God’s possessions, and we are merely stewards of His possessions. If we are to live our lives pleasing to God, we must treat our lives and all that He has given as trusts from the Lord. If we are His servants, He owns us and all that we have. We therefore are expected to be wise stewards of His possessions, managing in a way that we know would be pleasing to Him.

As teachers of the Scriptures, ministers must teach these truths to those who are under their spiritual care. If they do not teach these truths, they are, in reality, neglectful in fulfilling their God-given responsibilities to teach God’s people all that He has instructed.

Teach giving

Ministers must teach stewards how to manage both by example and instruction. Also, ministers need to present to those they are teaching opportunities for giving, so that they can learn how to effectively lay up treasures in heaven and to actively be involved with managing the possessions given to them by God.

The concept of teaching believers stewardship by instructing them how and where to give was one of the essential spiritual principles taught by the apostle Paul 2 Corinthians 9:3-7; 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Its importance has not diminished in today’s world. Christians still have to be taught that an indispensable element of stewardship is giving to the work of the Lord and to those in need.

Conclusion

Ministers need to identify areas in which God’s stewards can give. Since the only things that are eternal are God, God’s Word, and people, we must be more concerned with giving for the benefit of eternal things than we are for temporal things.

The first area of giving should naturally be the local church and the ministries and outreaches to people sponsored by the local church. This can be followed by other local or area ministries or efforts associated with and/or supported by the local church. These could include benevolent programs, such as food and housing for the hungry and needy, homes for unwed mothers, orphanages, homes for the elderly, and so on.

The third area would be domestic and worldwide ministries. These might include domestic helps and benevolent programs and ministries to the peoples of the world. The last area of concentration would be giving to enhance temporal things, such as buildings, parking lots, gymnasiums, and basketball courts. Although these can well be justifiable needs, they should never take the place of or be given preference to giving for things eternal.

via Article: What to do with possessions.

DID CHRISTIANITY CAUSE THE HOUSING CRASH? That question is posed by the current issue of the Atlantic but it is one I have to admit never occurred to me.

There certainly are plenty to blame for the fix we’re in: Alan Greenspan; Angelo Mozillo; Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac; plus the entire mortgage apparatus, from those who took on liars’ loans to those who made them, sold them and repackaged them into toxic derivatives, whose fallout has yet to be purged from the financial system.

But the Atlantic’s cover induces readers to learn “How preachers are spreading a gospel of debt.” An illustration showing a cross with “For Sale” and “Foreclosure” signs attached completes the cover package.

The clear implication is that America is being crucified on a cross of debt, and Christianity somehow is responsible.

via Onward, Christian Subprime Lenders? – Up and Down Wall Street Daily – R. Forsyth – Barrons.com.

by Crown Financial Ministries

Into today’s economy, we are all looking for ways to cut back on our spending and save a little more. This is good news for the simple fact that the household savings rate has hovered near or below zero for the past few years.

via Article: Develop a “saving” lifestyle.

Many people feel intimidated when they hear the word “budget.” However, a budget is simply a plan for how to spend money.

via Article: Steps to Making a Budget.