Our work produces financial returns and income that are among God’s blessings for us. We serve God when we apply the wisdom of scripture to how we allocate those returns through our giving, spending, and saving. Saving a portion of our income prepares us for the future and the unexpected expenses that inevitably arise. Having sufficient savings helps avoid taking ...
As graduation season approaches, many college students may be excited about completing their education, yet also anxious about burdens they now face. Educationdata.org claims the average college graduate is now faced with $40,000 in student loan debt! Since two decades ago, the average student loan debt at graduation has increased 117%. Debt can crush hopes and dreams, prevent the launching ...
In Nehemiah 4, the Israelites rallied together to fight off their enemies while rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. But by Chapter 5, the strain of the work, plus the impact of famine, caused the people to begin complaining about the oppression they experienced by their own leaders. Due to oppressive debt, these leaders had put their own people into slavery and bondage, ...
When I was young, I remember shopping for school clothes. With five kids needing clothes, my mother often used a “layaway” program. We selected the clothes we liked, then she paid a deposit to hold them. From each paycheck, she made payments until we could take our clothes home. This was a debt-free way to make large purchases, but delayed ...
Recently, I met with two friends separately who owned significant businesses, both forced into bankruptcy. In addition, both friends have multiple pending lawsuits. Bankruptcy can leave a person feeling persecuted, lonely, and full of shame. It can be easy to wonder where God may be. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego bravely refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s idol and were thrown into a ...
In this series, we’re discussing ways that business can shape our faith. Throughout my years in ministry, there have been some lean seasons when advisors would recommend that I establish a line of credit. But when I became an entrepreneur and ministry leader I had to decide my stance on debt. Many small businesses use lines of credit, but as ...
In this series, we’re pondering the Ten Commandments. The eighth commandment is one that is frequently violated in the workplace. Matter of fact, I’m embarrassed to say that it is one of the commandments that I violated on multiple occasions as a teenager. There is no way to sugar coat it, I was a thief. While working at a department ...
Recently, Terry Looper, CEO of Texon, shared with me about his early years in business. His drive for success resulted in working tireless hours. Exhausted and broken he eventually turned to God for help. Through that experience, he made a commitment to only work 40 hours a week. To grow what became a $6 billion business working only 40 hours ...
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes started this season proclaiming that the Kansas City Chiefs would be completely undefeated. It didn’t take long before that dream was shattered. As defeat after defeat happened, Mahomes seemed to struggle on and off the field. His confidence seemed shaken as well. Fortunately, Mahomes regained his confidence against the Las Vegas Raiders, miraculously moving from last place ...
For decades, retail stores counted heavily on Black Friday to meet their annual sales goals, especially small independent retailers. Covid, however, upended that long time business strategy. In 2020, according to the Washington Post, in-store shopping fell 37 percent on Black Friday from 2019. Although many might hope that Black Friday will return to normal, this is unlikely. Independent retailers ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
