Andy's Blog: A Personal Word

October 2009 Archive

October 13, 2009

Oct. 13, 2009

I don’t think I ever heard the term “financial planning,” until the last decade.  The only financial planning I had done was to spend what I made, so it has come as a surprise to me to learn that maybe there is another way to think about and manage my money that is more faithful and productive – maybe even more Biblical. Last Sunday, we looked at the theme “Wisdom and Finance.” We reviewed the parable of the prodigal son. The word prodigal actually means “one who wastes money.” In the parable, the younger son squandered his inheritance through thoughtless spending which focused on immediate gratification. As a result, he found himself in a far away country, penniless and homeless. Some of us find ourselves in the far away country of “debt” for the same reasons. 

Last Sunday in the current sermon series, “Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity,” we looked at six key financial planning principles that help us to avoid this fate:
1. Pay your tithes and offerings first.
2. Create a budget and track your expenses.
3. Simplify your lifestyle.
4. Establish an emergency fund.
5. Pay off credit card debt, use cash/debit cards for purchases and use credit cards wisely.
6. Practice long term savings habits.

This Sunday, our topic will be “Cultivating Contentment.” We will look honestly at our human tendency to accumulate more and more possessions and will learn how to consciously change our ways. We will also be handing out a special tool that will help us to re-focus daily on contentment and simplicity.
I hope you will join us.

For more information on Stewardship, click here.

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