Biblia

THE 90 PERCENT CLUB

Topics: Failure; Greed; Humility; Money; Risk; Stewardship; Success References: Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10, 17–19 Michael Donahue, founder of InterWorld Corporation in New York City, was elated when his company’s share price skyrocketed in a public stock offering in August 1999, earning him $448 million. So he splurged big-time. He bought a $9.6 million second … Continue reading “THE
90 PERCENT CLUB”

OVERWHELMED WITH MONEY

Topics: Generosity; Giving; Greed; Money; Stewardship References: Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10, 17–19 Warren Bailey, eighty-eight, died in July 2000. He had no family. And to the best of anybody’s recollection in St. Mary’s, Georgia, Bailey hadn’t been to church in at least twenty years. He did, however, make annual donations of about $100,000 to … Continue reading “OVERWHELMED
WITH MONEY”

CREDITING WEALTH

Topics: Dependence; Money; Pride; Provision; Self-reliance; Work References: Daniel 4:30; Romans 1:21; 11:36 Senior corporate executives with a net worth of $1 million or more, not including primary residence, credit their financial status to various factors. Here’s the percent on each (from the 2000 Phoenix Wealth Management Survey): hard work: 99 percent intelligence and good … Continue reading “CREDITING
WEALTH”

OVERLOOKED ASSET

Topics: Coveting; Greed; Help; Money; Needs; Provision References: 1 Kings 17:1–16; Matthew 6:25–34; 1 Timothy 6:6–11 Danny Simpson, twenty-four, robbed a bank in Ottawa, Canada, of $6,000 in 1990. He was caught and sentenced to six years in prison. He used a.45 caliber Colt semiautomatic in the robbery, which turned out to be an antique … Continue reading “OVERLOOKED
ASSET”

THE GOD OF MONEY

Topics: Catechism; Greed; Idolatry; Money; Worldliness References: Exodus 20:1–3; Matthew 6:24 What is the chief end of man? A. To get rich. In what way? A. Dishonestly if we can; honestly if we must. Who is God, the one only and true? A. Money is God. Gold and Greenbacks and Stock—father, son, and ghosts of … Continue reading “THE
GOD OF MONEY”

FOOD STAMP PURCHASES

Topics: Criticism; Empathy; Faultfinding; Judging Others; Self-righteousness; Welfare References: Proverbs 30:12–13; Matthew 7:1–5; Luke 16:15; 18:9–14; Romans 2:1 A grocery store cashier wrote to advice columnist Ann Landers to complain that she had seen people buy birthday cakes and bags of shrimp with their food stamps. People on welfare who treated themselves to such nonnecessities … Continue reading “FOOD
STAMP PURCHASES”

WELFARE RECIPIENTS DWINDLE

Topics: Government; Money; Poor People; Poverty; Welfare; Work References: Deuteronomy 24:21; Malachi 3:6–15; 1 Timothy 5:9–16 The number of welfare recipients in the United States is going down. Here are some U.S. Health and Human Services Department statistics: •     1965: 4.3 million •     1971: approximately 10 million •     1981: approximately 11.5 million •     1989: approximately 11 million •     1994: 14.2 … Continue reading “WELFARE
RECIPIENTS DWINDLE”

RICHES BEYOND WEALTH

Topics: Contentment; Joy; Materialism; Meaning; Money; Riches References: Ecclesiastes 5:10–12; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Philippians 4:11–13 Happiness is not determined by wealth or fame but by character, says Billy Graham in his autobiography Just as I Am. He goes on to say: Ruth and I had a vivid illustration of this on an island in the … Continue reading “RICHES
BEYOND WEALTH”

SMALL CHANGES FOR BIG RESULTS

Topics: Christian Life; Investments; Small Things; Spiritual Disciplines; Spiritual Formation; Stewardship References: Matthew 10:42; 12:36–37; 25:21; 2 Corinthians 7:1 Making a few small changes can make a big difference in your savings and retirement. For example: •     Giving up potato chips with lunch could save you $176.80 a year and generate retirement savings of $10,483.62 in … Continue reading “SMALL
CHANGES FOR BIG RESULTS”