3 Tips for Tackling the Tough Topic of Money

If talking about money is a fight waiting to happen for some couples, we can?t imagine how tough it might be to broach that same subject with your congregation. That?s because you?re not dealing with one individual?you?re facing tons of unique personalities and backgrounds. Talking about money is bound to excite all kinds of emotions.

It?s no wonder many pastors shy away from it altogether?an unfortunate conclusion.

You see, money has the potential to be our greatest blessing or our greatest curse. The church is looking to you for guidance. Just like talking to teens about sex or a loved one about a dangerous habit, your willingness to tackle the topic of money ultimately results in huge benefits for your congregation.

Of course, that doesn?t make it any easier. We?ve provided a few tips below to help you get started.

Acknowledge discomfort right away.

Have you ever sat through a meeting or family dinner where tensions are high but everyone acts like everything?s normal? Those are some uncomfortable moments! Often times, simply stating the obvious puts others at ease. The next time you?re bringing a message on money?whether it is through a sermon or during the offering?go ahead and say what?s on your congregation?s mind.

This might sound something like, ?Guys, I know money is a touchy subject. We all come at it from different backgrounds and viewpoints. The great thing is God has a lot to say about how we handle money. If we focus on what He says?instead of what our world thinks?we might be able to learn something new and grow in the process.?

Talk about yourself.

One of the reasons people hate hearing about money is because it?s so personal. As a pastor, your vulnerability in other areas of life no doubt encourages your church to open up their minds and hearts to what you teach. Money is no different.

So be brave. It might feel awkward at first, but push yourself to share your own story when it comes to money. Don?t worry, we?re not talking specifics. There?s no need for anyone to know how much your car cost or what you put in the offering plate last week. But you can be honest about your own struggles or successes with tithing and giving. Talk about the fact that your money is really God?s to begin with?that He owns it all. It?s this perspective from you that will help your church depersonalize the subject of money

Remember that money is only one part of a generous lifestyle.

Matthew 25:35?36 says, ?For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.?

When Jesus talks about what we can do for the least among us, He doesn?t just mention money. Isn?t that awesome? We are able to make a difference with what we have?time, treasure and talents. Encourage your congregation to pay their tithes, yes, and to give above the tithe once they are out of debt. But also remind them that generous giving doesn?t start and end with money. We give out of what we have.

As Dave teaches in Financial Peace University (FPU), it doesn?t matter if we sit in a corner office or clean a corner office?we?re called to manage our resources for God?s glory. Take a bold step today toward making the topic of money a welcome point of discussion in your church.

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Source: http://www.daveramsey.com/article/3-tips-for-tackling-the-tough-topic-of-money/lifeandmoney_church

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Will Microsoft Help You Retire Rich?

5 Lessons From Bruce Berkowitz That Can Help You Profit

During the 15+ years that he's been running the Fairholme Fund, money manager Bruce Berkowitz has been recognized as an accomplished investor, including Morningstar's stock-fund manager of the decade in 2010. By consistently beating the markets, Berkowitz has established himself as an expert, and gained plenty of followers. Based on my observations of some of the choices Berkowitz has made with more »

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U-Haul Charges Me For 3-Year-Old Speeding Ticket, Won?t Give Me Any Details

Consumerist reader Dave says he hasn’t rented anything from U-Haul in around two years, so he was surprised this morning to receive a text from the company. Even more alarming: The message said he owed U-Haul money for a speeding ticket from three years ago.

Thinking, with good reason, that the text might have been a phishing scam — someone … [More]

Source: http://consumerist.com/2013/02/08/u-haul-charges-me-for-3-year-old-speeding-ticket-wont-give-me-any-details/

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North Korea From Space: 1992 Vs. 2010

Earlier we showed you a map of China (and surrounding parts) from space comparing 1992 vs. 2010.

China is way lit up these days, not surprisingly at all.

But as many folks pointed out, the other interesting thing on the map is North Korea.

While much of the world got brighter, North Korea stayed... exactly the same.

1992...

North Korea From Space

2010...

Noth Korea From Space

 

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The Person Who Paid $16.8 Million For NBA Legend Pat Riley's Unreal Waterfront Mansion Plans To Demolish It

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Miami Heat exec Pat Riley sold his stunning South Florida mansion for $16.8 million nearly a year ago.

Now, the Miami Herald is reporting that the anonymous buyer plans to tear down the beautiful home and build a new one.

The home sits on an 80,000-square foot plot of waterfront property overlooking Biscayne Bay.

The buyer must have something spectacular in mind if he or she is willing to scrap this house.

The front of the home

The property is nearly an island

Now that's a pool

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Read About All Things Social Media With 'Social Media Insights'

 

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Catch up on the latest social media news with Social Media Insights, a daily email newsletter that tracks how new products and developments in social media are changing the face of ecommerce, advertising, product discovery, and more. 

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The Most Important Player On Every NBA Team

Kevin Garnett Boston Celtics not practicing

To determine the most important player on every NBA team, we looked at which players change their teams the most when they are on the court.

Using the basketball stats site 82games.com, we found these on court/off court stats, and the results were pretty surprising.

Generally, the most important players on the really good teams are the stars, and the most important players on the bad teams are role players.

*To be eligible, players had to play at least 50% of their available minutes.

Atlanta Hawks: Kyler Korver (+9.6 points per 100 possessions when he's on the court)

Salary: $5 million (6th on team)

Stats: 11.5 ppg, 46.4% from three, 14.69 PER

Source: 82games

Boston Celtics: Kevin Garnett (+3.9 points per 100 possessions)

Salary: $12.5 million (2nd on team)

Stats: 15.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 19.49 PER

Source: 82games

Brooklyn Nets: Joe Johnson (+17.2 points per 100 possessions)

Salary: $19.7 million (1st on team)

Stats: 16.8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 14.35 PER

Source: 82games

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Airline Cancels Flight Because Pilots Should Be Sober When Flying Planes

Listen, plenty of us enjoy a drink or two at the end of a long day. But those drinks should not be imbibed before operating large machinery like say, an airplane full of people. In yet another case of suspected intoxication, authorities at Heathrow Airport canceled a flight from London to Bucharest because officials think the pilot may’ve been drunk.… [More]

Source: http://consumerist.com/2013/02/08/airline-cancels-flight-because-pilots-should-be-sober-when-flying-planes/

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