October 24, 2008
How to BE rich
Are you rich? If so, do you remember the moment when you became rich? And now that you are rich, do you know how to BE rich or are you stuck GETTING rich?
This four part video series teaches us how to BE rich.
(Head's up: When you click on the link, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "CLICK HERE." Tough stuff, I know.)
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October 23, 2008
Best comprehensive church giving research available
If you're looking for the best comprehensive research on church giving in one book, look no further than The State of Church Giving through 2006.
(Note: I recently purchased my copy direct from Amazon.com.)
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October 16, 2008
Howard Dayton offers financial advice for newlyweds
Howard Dayton, the co-founder of Crown Financial Ministires, offers some solid financial advice for newlyweds.
Some of his suggestions he admits seem simplistic. But good financial habits are simplistic. The hard part is in the "doing" not the "knowing."
Three pieces of advice that made me shake my head in agreement were:
1. The "more-money-in-more-money-out" syndrome. This is right on. It's so hard to avoid "lifestyle-inflation." It's easy to live lean when you're not making much. The temptation to expand your giving as your income expands is great. With discipline, though, this habit will allow for long term financial peace and the ability to be generous with those in need.
2. Balance the checkbook every month. This is one of those habits that feeds my compulsive nature. I've learned that every time I get paid, I need to set down and record all my known expenses between paychecks. This gives me a realistic perspective on how much money is actually available. Then, at the end of each month I make sure my version of the register matches the bank's. Operating out of an "open-to-buy" method helps us be informed decision makers and spenders.
3. Don't get discouraged. Ignorance is bliss, but the effects of poor financial decision making can linger for a long time. Get in the middle of your spending habits. Know where every dollar is going. And when you notice your expenses are more than your income, don't be discouraged. Use that information as a call to action to re-evaluate your spending habits. This will keep you on track even when life throws you a curve.
If I could add one piece of advice, it would be this: Talk about financial matters together. Talk about finances honestly, openly and often. Money can become divisive when we give it more power in our lives (and marriages) than it deserves.
Good financial habits take a lifetime to cultivate. The earlier you start, the longer you'll experience the benefits. God has blessed us with much, and it's our responsibility to manage all our assets to advance the Kingdom.
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September 18, 2008
Twit it out
I finally did it.
I signed up for Twitter. I felt compelled to do so.
We'll see how it goes. Yesterday was fun.
It's free and a great way to stay in touch with others. Check out the Do More Ministry twitter page.
And feel free to sign up too!
Posted by bstroup at 8:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 15, 2008
Free e-book on stewardship
Church Solutions Magazine and Generis have teamed together to produce the FREE e-book Generosity - Moving your church forward.
Read the book. Send it to your friends. It addresses the stewardship questions we're already asking.
(Note: When you click on the e-book link above, there is a slight delay. The length of this delay depends on the speed of your internet connection.)
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August 27, 2008
Free debt reduction snowball calculator
I noticed this free tool while browsing my blog feeds this morning. It seems very flexible and comprehensive. Plus, I like the fact that you can drive the calculations using assumptions that fit you and your family. This makes the plan "do-able" because it takes into account your own individual situation.
For those churches participating in the New Day campaign, this would be a great tool to have on your church's Web site.
FREE! Web Tool: Debt Reduction Calculator - Download a free Debt Reduction spreadsheet for Excel from Vertex42.com.
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November 28, 2007
Personal finance worksheets
I found a collection of worksheets that help with personal financial planning and decision making. I would bookmark this site and refer to it often. Buying is an emotional process. But financial success is based on consistent, healthy financial behavior. That means we can't always rely on our feelings.
So, close the door. Click over to the Web page. And have some fun with numbers.
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August 29, 2007
Free download on how to handle church contributions
Click here to download a FREE e-paper on how to accurately and legally handle designated church contributions.
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August 9, 2007
Common Excuses
I found a list of 24 common excuses for not preaching on giving. Some of these are unbelievable, and I hope pastors don't really use these. (But I've lived long enough to know different.)
Some are funny. And others are not so funny.
The one that surprised me the most was the very first one. "Money is a sensitive and divisive issue in my church."
WOW! If money is divisive.....what about the Gospel?
Posted by bstroup at 9:24 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 2, 2007
Budget and Facility Planner
I recently attended a conference where Ty Salter from Church Ministry Finance presented this planner. It's a great worksheet. It first asks you to complete some necessary financial information. Then, it projects or forecasts your borrowing capacity.
This is a great tool that churches can use to determine how much they can spend on their next building project.
To get there, Click Here and look for "Budget and Facility Planner" on the left hand side of your screen. It's in Excel format.
Posted by bstroup at 9:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 11, 2007
Bookmark this site
David Waganer, resource director for the SDA (Stewardship Directors Association) of the SBC, told me about Generous Giving. It's a virtual launching pad of information and resources.
I visited the site for the first time today. I'm impressed.
Posted by bstroup at 9:03 AM | Comments (0)