Money Matters (Christian)

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America's debt: A growing force to be reckoned with

Tue, Sep 9
During the last 15 years of Larry Burkett's life, one of his primary concerns was the ever-growing national debt. As a Crown cofounder, and as one who had taught fiscal responsibility around the country in seminars and on the radio, Larry was understandably worried about the out-of-control spending he saw in Washington. There has been little focus on the national debt in the past several years, but an organization known as the Peter G. Peterson Foundation is working to bring the issue to the...

'The Great Unwind' and what you can do about it

Fri, Aug 29
On March 19, 2008 a shocking headline appeared in an article posted on CBS's financial Web site, MarketWatch: The Great Unwind Has Begun, Citigroup Warns. Avoid leveraged companies, countries and consumers, bank's strategists say. Robert Buckland and his colleagues on Citi's global strategy team wrote in a note to clients, Easy money encouraged many to buy a bigger house, a bigger car or a bigger speculative position. But now, any behavior that relied upon continued access to easy money is...

Justifying our desire for life's 'cookies'

Wed, Aug 20
Mary Elizabeth was strolling down the cookie aisle with her three-year-old daughter, Sarah, riding comfortably in the shopping cart. Suddenly, Sarah spied a box of sugar cookies, coated with pink icing and decorated with multi-colored sprinkles. Her eyes brightened with enthusiasm as she put on her best cherub face. Mommy, she said, pointing to her find on the shelf. I want those cookies. Sarah, replied her mom, we don't need any cookies today. We have plenty at home. Maybe another time. Ten...

Emerging Generations

Wed, Aug 13
I graduated from college with a dual degree in zoology and religion. What am I doing now with my life? Web programming and design. Was my college degree even worth it? Undoubtedly, yes. According to the numbers, a college education and advanced degrees are one of the best investments you can make with your money. The U.S. Census Bureau says that adults with advanced degrees earn four times more than those with less than a high school diploma. Workers 18 and older with a master's,...

Checking in on the tax rebate

Fri, Aug 8
I recently received notice that my tax rebate check will be issued shortly. The $1,500 my family expects to receive is just a tiny portion of the over $100 billion stimulus package signed by President Bush in February with distribution beginning in April. Its objective is to prevent, or at least minimize the impact of, an economic recession. The stimulus plan is not designed to cause the economy to grow. That requires that the national savings rate rises. The goal of the rebate is to prevent...

Checking in on the tax rebate

Thu, Aug 7
I recently received notice that my tax rebate check will be issued shortly. The $1,500 my family expects to receive is just a tiny portion of the over $100 billion stimulus package signed by President Bush in February with distribution beginning in April. Its objective is to prevent, or at least minimize the impact of, an economic recession. The stimulus plan is not designed to cause the economy to grow. That requires that the national savings rate rises. The goal of the rebate is to prevent...

An adoption journey

Tue, Jul 29
One couple's journey led to a new community of families called Tapestry, woven together to share God's blessing of adoption. PART 1: CHOSEN FAMILY For Michael and Amy Monroe, the adoption journey began with a pre-dawn phone call. Was this a dream? Or was the voice on the other end of the line really saying, You don't know who I am, but I have a baby for you. The Dallas, Texas couple had struggled for a year with infertility before deciding against the usual medical options, instead moving...

Housing a major issue for twentysomethings

Thu, Jul 24
An article in the June 16 issue of USA Today says that in the midst of the housing slump, real estate agents hope to increase sales by targeting 28-and-under buyers, also known as Generation Y.1 To reach this group, the real estate industry is using different strategies, including agents in their 20s and the Internet sites Facebook and YouTube. People in Generation Y are considered good targets because they typically don't have houses they need to sell before they buy. However, many people in...

Facing Our Real Crisis: Money But No Margin

Tue, Jul 22
The level of economic concern in our nation is high. If we used the warning system devised by the Department of Homeland Security to give a ranking to our economic problems, I would rate us at Orange. I don't think I'll get much disagreement from anyone on that; only those who think we are at Red might disagree. The division comes regarding the solution: Some look to the government, some look to the Federal Reserve, others look to OPEC, but I think the real issues lie within us, not in our...

A biblical approach to career planning

Thu, Jul 17
College's career/job placement services ranked among the best in the nation Ten years ago, Grove City College in Pennsylvania began using Crown's Career Direct assessment to help its students determine God's calling for their lives. Jim Thrasher, career services director at Grove City, says the school's decision to choose Career Direct was the result of extensive research for a biblically based assessment. And this year, Grove City's career/job placement services have been listed among the...

Homemaker: an honorable vocation

Tue, Jul 8
A few years ago I became guardian for my parents. The court required me to take a training session. When the magistrate looked over the schedule of classes to see if day or evening would be more convenient for me, she asked, Do you work? I confidently gave the replay I have used for years. Yes! I am just not gainfully employed. A wave of laughter drifted across the room. She smiled and knew what I meant. Many young women today might have felt comfortable in responding, No, I am a full-time...

Let your life impact theworld through Crown ignite!

Wed, Jul 2
It's quite possible that saving lives and transforming far-away nations were not at the top of your list of things to do when you woke up this morning. Most of us believe our actions here have little or no connection to the rest of the world. Many times this is true, but one curious group of people is finding out that God can use them well beyond their expectations or capacity. For the last three years, people like you have been helping or encouraging the missions programs of their churches...

Work home... why not both?

Thu, Jun 26
In 1987 I was working in a corporate job that I really enjoyed, when I discovered I was pregnant. My husband was in ministry and our finances were tight. I thought, No problem! After my leave of absence from work, I'll find a good daycare for our baby and go right back to work. But, after nine months of pregnancy, after 12 hours of labor, when the doctor handed me this beautiful angel, something happened inside. I thought, Uh oh! Big problem! During my three-month leave I prayed and I cried...

Plan for a Roth IRA conversion in 2010

Tue, Jun 24
Special tax savings opportunity for higher income taxpayers A little bit of advance planning with a Roth IRA conversion can reap big financial rewards down the road. Tax law enacted in 2006 allows for a special planning opportunity that arises in the year 2010, but only if you take the right steps now in order to take advantage of it. The Roth IRA is different from a regular or Traditional IRA. Unlike Traditional IRAs that are typically fully taxable when distributions are taken, the Roth IRA...

What will you do with your stimulus payment?

Tue, Jun 17
You've heard about the economic stimulus payments that are being mailed to U.S. taxpayers, and you may have received yours already. The payments are going out to more than 130 million households. To qualify, you should have filed a 2007 federal tax return and had at least $3,000 of income. The payments will be as high as $600 for individuals ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an extra $300 for each eligible child under 17. People who use direct deposit began receiving...

The Priceless Value of Humility

Fri, Jun 13
In 2000, I was reading through the Bible and a most unexpected verse stopped me in my tracks. I was so gripped by the words of Numbers 12:3 that I could not continue reading. It was as if the Lord was saying, Pay attention here. So, I just began to ponder this simple, yet profound description of Moses: Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. I had always known that humility was a good idea, but I thought it was a black and white issueeither you...

Facing the crisis of an $800 monthly shortfall

Wed, Jun 4
March 21, 2008 Dear Crown: My husband has been driving a truck over-the-road for the past 14 years. In January he made a sudden decision to hang up his keys and get a job so he could be home. We were aware that this decision would create a financial challenge, but we thought it would be worth it to have him home. Wow! We could not imagine how challenging it would be. With only two days of driving left, the differential went out on the truck, resulting in repairs exceeding $7,000 before we...

Financial lessons from Psalm 23: Thoughts on investing in an age of turbula

Mon, Jun 2
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters (Psalm 23:1-2). Crown cofounder Howard Dayton tells us that the Bible contains 2,350 verses dealing with money and possessions. However, it could be argued that this number is even greater. This is particularly true if we look for financial connotations or applications in verses that on the surface do not seem to speak about money or investments. For example, for eyes that...

One case when a little spending is justified

Wed, May 28
Most Christians who are trying to be very faithful stewards of what God has given them have gotten very good at not spending money. They have learned to say no, have been able to disengage themselves from the power of advertising, and know the difference between a necessity and a luxury. So, is it ever wrong for a Christian to save money and avoid what looks like an extra expense? I believe it is. In fact, there are times when I believe Christians are actually putting money before God when...

MoneyLife for Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Mon, May 26 Listen
Building a business, building the Kingdom

MoneyLife for Friday, May 23, 2008

Fri, May 23 Listen
Chuck Bentley answers your financial questions

MoneyLife for Thursday, May 22, 2008

Wed, May 21 Listen
50 years of financial faithfulness

MoneyLife for Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Tue, May 20 Listen
Dr. Jerry Sittser shares lessons he's learned from a time of tragic personal loss, pt 2.

MoneyLife for Monday, May 19, 2008

Mon, May 19 Listen
Entrepreneur, Leigh Ann Horton, on getting out of debt and fulfilling God's purpose for her life.

MoneyLife for Friday, May 16, 2008

Fri, May 16 Listen
Chuck Bentley re-visits the Crown Money Map, pt 2

MoneyLife for Thursday, May 15, 2008

Thu, May 15 Listen
Chuck Bentley re-visits the Crown Money Map, pt 1

MoneyLife for Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Tue, May 13 Listen
Guest, Robin Greene, unveils several credit card company practices that'll help you stay out of trouble.

MoneyLife for Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Mon, May 12 Listen
Guest, Bette Noble, describes how a Crown tool can help you find the right career.

MoneyLife for Monday, May 12, 2008

Fri, May 9 Listen
Charlie and Sandy Raymond were on the verge of business and personal bankruptcy, but God intervened in unexpected ways.

MoneyLife for Friday, May 9, 2008

Thu, May 8 Listen
Chuck Bentley answers your financial questions.

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