24 Feb, 2009
Heading to church for money advice
Jennifer Pedley had very little interest when her husband, Ken, suggested three years ago that they enroll in the Financial Peace University program their church in Brighton, Michigan, was offering. The couple, however, signed up to learn how to reduce their debt and get on a budget. Partway through the course, a light came on for her, Pedley said.
"I started to see the changes it was making not only in our money but in our relationship," she recalled.
"It was unbelievable, but 80 percent of personal finance is personal. There is so much related to communicating about money and communicating about life."
Kevin Stacia teaches stewardship at Ebenezer and said that with everyone from the wealthy to the disadvantaged being affected by the economy, it makes sense for churches to offer such programs.
"We always want members of the church and our community to be grounded in how God wants us to manage the things he has entrusted us with," Stacia said. "We want to give people an avenue to get knowledge and understanding."
Despite her initial resistance, Pedley said, she views it as a learning and growing experience.
"I never realized how practical the Bible is about money," she said. "It just makes so much sense."
(To see full story by Lisa Respers, go to cnn.com 2/20/09)
You got questions?
We've got answers!
II Timothy 3:16-17 [NIV]
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Joshua 1:7-8
Be careful to obey all of the law my servant Moses gave to you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let the Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
What does God's Story scripture teach us about how His Word applies to our lives?
Today's story is yet another example of a circumstance of life that drives people to seek truth. It happens when a national crisis occurs like we experienced on 9/11. It happens when a marriage falls apart. It happens in many different situations because people instinctively know where to find truth!
They naturally turn to The Church...which, by the way, is you and me. WE are the church and we have the answers they are looking for because we have God's Word. It is the source of all truth and knowledge.
Sometimes the Bible is mistaken for an out-of-date book that only has restrictions for our lives. The fact is that the Bible has relevant truth that speaks to nearly every situation in life and, when it is followed, will set people free!
There are answers to questions about money (which many people are interested in hearing these days)...but that's not all. There are answers to questions about life, relationships, death, work, health, sex, parenting, stress, drinking, friendship...and the list goes on and on!
The world has questions. The Word has answers.
How can we connect today's story and God's story with my story?
- If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask them! Find a local youth pastor or YFC staff member and be real with your questions. There are no dumb questions. You may be surprised about how directly God's Word will speak to your question.
- Study the Word daily. As we learned today from Joshua, we should meditate on it day and night. Over time we learn the answers to the questions of life and eventually, this leads to success. (Just look at how following God's principles on money has set thousands free from the bondage of debt...it's so simple!)
How can we connect today's story, God's story and my story with my friend's story?
- Start listening for the questions your friends are asking. Maybe they are dealing with stress, a parent's break up or just aren't sure about what the future holds for them. In each case, you have truth that will help them!
- As you listen for stories, start looking for stories in scripture that relate directly. (An example would be sharing the story of how Jesus showed grace to the adulterous woman to someone who is struggling with guilt or shame over a similar mistake.)
- Think of how God's truth has set you free from various struggles in life or how following it has kept you from those struggles. Then share that with someone! When they see that God's truth works in your life, they will know that it can work in theirs too!
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