Christians and Money 101

I grew up a Missionary Kid, and I know family finance from that perspective. I served a Christian non-profit in an administrative capacity, and I know ministry finance from that perspective. I have left a poor Third-World country to seek the American dream. I know the immigrant's struggle. I served in corporate America and had to handle a multi-million dollar budget for the two departments I ran. I understand faithful and ethical financial management from that perspective. I served as a church administrator, plus my father and brother are senior Pastors of both small and sizeable congregations, so I know church finances from an inside perspective. I endured a divorce 25 years ago, and survived that financial ruin. So I know personal finances from that perspective. I took care of my grandmother in her final years and administrated her affairs. I know family finances from a Caregiver's perspective. I traded Forex and know the emotional roller coaster ride...

As a Christian and an occasional financial literacy table leader for my church, some are surprised by the fact that I do embrace credit. The fact is, I treat credit the way I would treat fire or a sharp blade. Used correctly, it is an amazing tool. Handled mindlessly, and you have a possible fatality ahead. Even Jesus recognized that we are IN this world, even if as Christians - we are not considered citizens of this world. John 17:15-16 “ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” To function in this world today, especially in the USA, ignoring credit or becoming ‘credit invisible’ will make prosperity and wealth more challenging to grasp and enjoy. Impossible? No! But, why dig a trench with your hands when a shovel or backhoe would do a better job? Caveat #1: The content presented here is for educational purposes and to raise awareness and should not be considered legal or ...

There are too many good Christians in line for a handOUT instead of being in a position to offer a hand UP. This needs to change, and I have partnered with God to do my part to help change that. Christians & Money...   Benny Hinn is a well-known 'Prosperity Gospel' Preacher Over the years he has shouted to the in-house and online congregation to 'send a seed of $1000 or more and the Lord will reward you 110 fold' (paraphrased). Now, in his late 60's, Benny Hinn is spending his time recanting this doctrine. Please see more in this 9-12-2019  article published in Christian Today. This 'name it and claim it' 'Prosperity Gospel' has enough truth in it to 'fool the elect, if possible'; but it flies in the face of Jesus's encounter with the widow who cast her two mites into the offering plate. She did not have ...

Spend Spend Spend all day Spend it all away... Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily... Money goes away. OMG! Those shoes are SO Cute! WHAAAT? That purse is on SALE? I gotta have it. I need a dress for that party. I have a closet full of nothing to wear. That top is so last year! Get this one. I need that man toy - I mean, tool. If he loved me, he would get me that $5K ring . That bigger one would make all my friends jealous, so that is the one I need. I don't want that lame-o Toyota! I am getting me a BMW. Duh Nuh! Duh Nuh! Duh Nuh Duh Nuh Duh Nuh Duh Nu! When you are in spending frenzy - do not be surprised if Facebook, Google, and Instagram seem to show you all you have been craving. Suddenly, every sale will beckon to you. It is as if (sharks) sellers can smell your money and they have come to take it. Impulse, perishable, and depreciating purchases deplete wealth potential. Yet - we do it all the time then cry "BROKE!" Living above your mean...

This is a blog series.  Read Part 1 of this post HERE 7 Easy Actions Florida Residents Can Use to Delete Debt Fast Grim statistics tell the facts.  Florida residents are deep in debt by the millions.  I may just have your solution - IF, in addition to the state laws and legal options, you are also willing to receive Biblical insights and encouragement. Want it or Not - Florida Residents Need a Money Fixer Upper NOW! Pt.2 YIKES! Where do you stack up against the average? $5,700 is relatively easy to pay off. The thing to remember is - this is an AVERAGE! There are some who are tracking in at $50K+ in debt, and some in these statistics with $100 in debt. The higher your debt, the harder and longer it will take to pay down, but if this is your goal - read on. 7 Easy Debt Deleting Strategies 1. Dana, one of my former clients who did a workshop with me to save her $1000 Emergency Cash Stash found $100 in coins to start her saving account. You ca...

Grim statistics tell the facts. Florida residents are deep in debt by the millions. I may just have your solution - IF, in addition to the state laws and legal options, you are also willing to receive Biblical insights and encouragement. Want it or Not - Florida Residents Need a Money Fixer Upper NOW! YIKES! There is a very high possibility that your credit report has errors on it and that is not legal for that to happen - but it does! 79% of the time. The Florida state law says:" Incomplete, inaccurate, and outdated negative information does not belong on your credit report - any of them! I would bet that if you looked at all 3 bureaus right now and went through your report, line by line there would be at least one notation that is inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete. What you also may not realize is - these kinds of data negatively impact the score they tell you, which in turn impacts your financial options. ARE YOU FURIOUS YET?  I am! I have ...