Faith and Finances

It's a hard time to live-though right now. The citizens of the world are being punished for the extreme greed that has become the focus of modern day life. Of course, there are a relatively small few who are the "Kings of Greed" and who architected this whole mess, but as a whole, society has lost view of what it means to live a Godly life. To live while enriching your soul and helping those around you without an unhealthy focus on money and materialism.

As a Christian during these turbulent times, you must always remember God and your faith. It's easy to turn-on the television and listen to the dozens of talking-heads who constantly spout lies and exaggerations, who focus on everything negative in the world and nothing positive.

You must remember God's teachings and use them for guidance. He has been guiding people through many worse situations than we are in today and with His help, we will make it through, just as countless generations have before.

Of course, nobody can completely eliminate the need for money in today's society. You need money to provide for your family, to tithe to the church, and to help your neighbors. That's why, as a responsible Christian, you should have an appropriate financial plan which meets your needs and still honors God and his teachings.

Many financial planners only consider your materialistic needs when creating a customized plan. However, if you can get a Christian financial plan, it will take into account your need to tithe to the church, to participate in community religious events, and to focus on your family. Having good guidance to your financial future can go hand-in-hand with your religious guidance - the two needn't be completely separate.

Your church will prove to be a huge help in getting through these economic times as well. Whether it's the congregation who can offer moral support in the face of the loss of a job, or the weekly reminders of how God wants us to lead our lives, your church will be a cornerstone in your life. Do not forget your calling to tithe. The church relies upon your tithing to function and to provide assistance to those who are in need. Remember that one day, you and your family may be in need of the help afforded by the tithing of other members.

Finally, always be thankful for your wonderful friends and family. You will find that through rich and poor, good times and bad, that your family and friends are extremely important in your life. You don't need lots of money to buy fancy things when you remember that a night spent playing board games with your children or sharing a BBQ with the neighbors can be far more rewarding than simply buying a larger TV upon which to watch bad news. It is the people around us, along with God's teachings, that define our lives.

Money is a necessary need, but the important thing is to never let money define you or your life. You are the Christian steward of your life - you make the decisions and you choose what to focus on. Make those choices count.