Can we learn to teach STEWARDSHIP?

Here is a great article with simple "to do's" that anyone can apply. Being a good STEWARD is not only important - it is Biblical!

NEW YORK--We are a country of spenders who must learn the hard way to practice what our grandparents have always known: A penny saved is a penny earned.

Consider that about 43% of Americans spend more than they earn, according to estimates from the federal government, and the average household carries some $8,000 to $10,000 in credit-card debt.

To make matters worse, the average American no longer saves money. That's tumbled from a 10.8% average savings rate in 1984 into negative territory today. It's no wonder that many of us have been living way above our means for some time.

But that is getting harder and harder to do. Available credit for people to finance their lifestyles has shrunk if not dried up altogether and many Americans are standing by in shock watching their mortgage payments surge while the value of their 401(k)s drop.

It's clear Americans need to start spending less and saving more. That may sound easier said than it's done. The key is to be aware of your where your money is going and take steps to stop the leaks. Here are five simple tips that could save you hundreds of dollars a month:

1. Cash back at the pump
In the past five months gasoline prices have dropped 56%, from an average price of $4.11 to $1.80 a gallon. Somehow, households found the money to pay the higher price and survive so now people should take that excess money they are saving and bank it.

Jean Chatzky, author and personal finance expert suggests using the money you were spending on gasoline to build up that rainy day fund or to pay some your holiday expenses instead of racking up more debt.

2. Supper savings
Another great way Americans can cut costs each month is to eat at home, says Jonathan and David Murray, twin brothers who are financial advisers.

According to a recent Zagat survey, Americans will spend an average of $34 this year every time they go out to eat dinner, that's for one dinner, drink and gratuity; $76.00 if they live in one of the 20 most expensive cities. If a couple does that four times in a month the expense is close to $300 in low-cost areas and $600 in higher-cost regions, and if you have more than one drink or are treating family or friends, costs can add up quickly.

Plan a dinner or party at home and ask guests to bring a dish. If you're big on getting together with friends, family and work associates, this could save you hundreds of dollars a month.

3. Renegotiate bills
You may not be able to negotiate with the gas company or the electric company, but you can with credit cards, cable and phone services, among others. Do the homework and find out what competing cable companies, for example, are offering and ask your provider to renegotiate your bill. You may have to get through to a manager but Chatzky said she recently did this and got her monthly bill reduced by $50.

4. Smart shopping
Retailers are poised to have one of the worst holiday shopping seasons in decades and are offering deep discounts to move merchandise. But smart shoppers can save even more money by hunting down coupons. Before ordering online or going to a store, go to sites like Couponcabin.com and Ultimatecoupons.com or Google the name of a store and often you'll get a coupon code to enter at checkout. You can save 10% to 20% or more on the total order or maybe get free shipping.

There are also coupons to print out and take to the store for deeper discounts. And don't be afraid to pit one retailer against another by asking for a price match on sale items.

5. Keep the receipt
It is important to hang on to all your store receipts and keep track of sales. Savvy shoppers can possibly save even more on purchases by checking back to see if the retailers lower prices even further. If that happens within two weeks of your purchase, most stores will credit you the difference.

Copyright © 2008 MarketWatch, Inc.

Teach Stewardship or...?

As we approach the year 2009, we find that the economic situation is far from reaching the bottom. I am hearing from many Pastors and church Administrators that they are "cutting" budgets in 2009 and expecting the church financial picture to get worse. At one national conference, a speaker even informed attendees that buiding and expanding ministry needed to halt due to the simple fact that the younger adult generations would NOT pay for these.

Shining in front of us is the reality that our churches MUST teach Stewardship. And we need to do so quickly! A look at history will reveal that during the Great Depression, churches realized what was missing and reversed the trend. They began to teach stewardship in the Biblical light of Lordship (which is the right way) and what followed were some of the greatest days of ministry and growth in America by these churches.

Will the current economic crisis wake us up? I pray so! When we get Lordship right and thus Stewardship right, we get the church, our lives, and our families back in line with the Word of God. Stewardship is your great friend Pastor! Allow me to encourage you to teach it and teach it faithfully.

Give me a call should you need ideas or encouragent. I can share with you how God is using the teaching of Stewardship in some remarkable ways in many churches around the country!

May God Bless you as you teach STEWARDSHIP faithfully!

Navigating the Economic Storms of Life!

No doubt, everyone should realize that our world is encountering a change of epic size. The economies of the world are in deep trouble. People are in deep trouble at home. What can be done? How can we survive the change that is of itself, changing? For the next few posts, we will explore the basics that we as leaders can share with our people to assist them in functioning in these economic storms.

#1 - Simply our lives!
We all live more complex than needed. It appears that we have failed to realize that our complexity is one of the ingredients leading us to financial disaster. We each need to look at what we can cut from our expenditures. We need to take a serious look at it. Mow our own grass. Wash our own car. Cook our own food. Take our lunch to work and school. Have our children ride the bus. Iron our own clothes. Rediscover family time with games and walks in the park. Ride bikes! Get back to the simple things of life that do not cost!

#2 - Buy Smart!
Rather than buying new cars, figure out how to get more miles out of the cars we have. Don't fall for the "cheaper gas mileage" scam and take on a big car note just to save gas. Make the clothes you wear, last longer and forget about being "in style". Watch out for the sales! A sale may not be cheap enough for you to afford! Stay home on Tax Free weekends! If you must buy, buy two weeks after a Tax Free weekend when the items are on sale for 20% off - get the savings?

Stay tuned... More to come!

Economic Storms and Ministry

Today's economic climate is one that actually could benefit many churches in America. Over the past 10 - 15 years, the teaching of Stewardship has declined at an alarming rate. Fewer Pastors than ever have a teaching/preaching plan that includes Stewardship. As a result, tithing and giving are not part of many young Christians lives. They have been substituted with Debt and Frivolous Spending. How will those of us who lead people in the churches week after week respond to the new climate this will be around for a while?

First, teach Stewardship! If God is first, then our spending and managing of money should reveal this. For those who cling to the idea that "tithing" is for the Old Testament only, great! Teach new Testament Stewardship where the 10% was raised! The Bible is not silent about this subject and we as leaders must learn quickly to put our fears aside and teach the people that God has entrusted to our care the real answers to the needs in America - Great Stewardship!

Second, ministry needs are in need of changing! We must focus on "true" ministry that reaches people with the Gospel. Missions is a must. We must also insure that those things we fund are essential in growing disciples of Christ. I am a firm believer in churches leading the way in their budgets and spending plans. Drop the frivolous, and embrace that which is needed!

Third, focus on you can do things in a simple manner. Simple does not have to be "cheap" but it can be less expensive!

More next week!

More than one bank needed in todays economy!

Does your church have more than $100,000 deposited in a bank or investment account? With the current econimic crisis in America, it is important to remember that money should be insured in FDIC accounts and that no more than the maximum insurable of $100,000 be kept in any one account.

If your church has more than $100,000 - spread the money to other banks! Be sure to leave room for your interest earned to be safe when added with the total amount deposited.

Economic Storms and the church

How will churches across America deal with the reality of the economic turn down of America. Surely we realize that every family will be effected in some way or another. As leaders, it is easy to allow the uncertainty to change the vision and mission that God has given to His churches.

As we move through the waters of this quickly moving flood, there are some key issues of leadership that we need to understand and live by. The following is a good list to guide us all in helping during these trying times.

1. Keep the vision of reaching people at the forefront of all we do.
2. Teach people to rethink their priorities.
3. Teach the Biblical principles of Stewardship that are missing in our culture.
4. Lead by example in the church in keeping Missions a priority.
5. Be smart - a church that retreats is a church that dies.

Our ministries should be recession and depression proof. We as leaders make the difference!

A lesson in shopping

I was asked by a couple a few weeks ago how they could get their family budget in line. Spending was out of line and needs were growing by the day. As we reviewed several months of activity, I noticed that a large portion of money was spent during "tax free" weekend. The story was told of great deals and how much was purchased.

There was a problem though! Things of importance were still needed. School was starting and teachers had not posted the list of supplies until after the first day. Tax free was long gone. So was the money. While this couple shopped, they noticed what my family had noticed several years ago. The items they purchased tax free were now on sale at 10 to 30 % off. Do the math - tax free cost more than waiting three weeks.

Sales and gimmicks are designed for one thing - to make you spend money! They are not "take it to the bank" savings and can lend in you over spending. So here is a good thing to remember. When you see a SALE sign or TAX FREE advertisement, think BEWARE!

Actually, stop and think. You might remember that other items will be needed soon and the things on sale are suddenly not that important.

This principle works well for ministry offices! It can save you money needed for ministry at home and at the office!