Church

What is your greatest need? What is your neighbor's greatest need? We often get confused about needs and wants. I think I need a new computer when, in reality, I only want a new computer. My "old" computer is just fine. To be honest, our wants far outnumber our needs. In other words, we want much more than we really need. As a result, we end spending much more time and effort in pursuit of our wants than we do our needs. And this is unfortunate because fulfilling our wants will never match the satisfaction of having our greatest needs met. And what is our greatest need? It is to be loved and accepted by our Creator, leading to a relationship with him through Jesus Christ. Which is why evangelism is a core value of a biblical church. Don't be scared or nervous when you hear that word. It's a…

Over one million people a year file for bankruptcy in the United States.  I wasn't a finance major in college, but I did stay at a Holiday Express one time -- so even I know that's a lot of people. But there's more to it than just numbers.  Behind the numbers are individual stories of dreams unfulfilled and families torn apart.  Perhaps a little shame and regret might be mixed in.  The ripples of bankruptcy extend to friends and neighbors, employees, and beyond. I've never filed for financial bankruptcy.  But I have been bankrupt.  Spiritually bankrupt. The people who are spiritually bankrupt far outnumber those who file for financial bankruptcy.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  They live in "super zip codes" and blue-collar neighborhoods.   They are doctors and dock workers.  The spiritually bankrupt often appear to be successful.  Their kids win awards.  From the outside, it's not…

When it comes to investing your money, Warren Buffet offers a basic rule of thumb: invest in what you use.  In other words, invest in things you understand and if you don't, make sure to get professional help from companies like SoFi so that you understand.  Invest in items that you are familiar with.  The trouble comes when we invest our money in businesses or funds that we don't understand.  We get enticed by the possibility of big return or get swept up in the buzz surrounding a company or a market. Take Buffet's principle and think about how it applies to stewardship. Are we investing in what we use?  If God has made a difference in your life ... if God has enabled you to overcome challenges ... if God has allowed you to have peace in the midst of trials ... if God's Word has provided you guidance…

Not every dollar we spend is equal in value. God forbid, but if I spend ten dollars at McDonald's on ten items from the dollar menu, the value of those dollars are different than if I spend ten dollars on a good book.  Penny-for-penny, each dollar bill is worth the same amount.  One hundred pennies equals one dollar. But the value of a dollar is more than pennies.  It is determined by what that dollar accomplishes. If you buy a candy bar, the value is a temporary sugar rush and pants that might not fit any more. If you invest that same dollar in kingdom work, the value could be ... A family that finds a place to worship together A child who hears the message that God created her and loves her and has a plan for her A missionary who is able to be God's voice in places…