Why is America prosperous and the Philippines are not

Question: It seems that the recession has had little effect on the call centers here because a lot of companies are in need of manpower. A visiting preacher had announced the deferment of some of his benevolence because some of the brethren where he is from are getting laid off from their jobs. It is…

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Surviving the Financial Crisis

by Kent Heaton A financial crisis occurs when the crisis of a man’s soul is dependent upon the financial condition of his heart. Samuel Johnson said, “The love of money has been in all ages, one of the passions that have given great disturbances to the tranquility of the world” (Rambler, October 6, 1750). How…

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Is life not meant to be enjoyed?

Question: I still have some things troubling my mind. I always wanted to try my best and enjoy life as much as I can, obviously with God. But lately, in church and from reading the Bible, some things really confuse me. For example like how Jesus told us that if we wanted to be perfect…

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What does ‘Name it and Claim it” mean?

Question: What does ‘Name it and Claim it” mean? Answer: “Name it and claim it” is the slogan of the Positive Confession movement, which also goes by the name Word-Faith. At the heart of the movement’s teaching is that faith is what we say and not what we have in someone else. “The term “positive…

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Your Best Life Now? Really?

by Steven Harper Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few years, you’ve probably heard of a man named Joel Osteen and have probably seen one of his books, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps To Living at Your Full Potential. [He also has a new book out now, Become A Better You.] By…

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My parent’s debt is exhausting all of my savings. What am I to do?

Question: Hello, I’m kind of stuck in a situation. My parents have debt issues, and unless I help them out they will lose everything probably, or at least they would have to sell the house. In the last couple of months I have been helping them out while trying to earn money to go on…

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What’s in Your Hand?

by Wendy Capehart (originally posted on Pleonast) In 1983 we had a baby on the way — and no jobs. My husband’s boss died, and his wife disbanded the company and returned to Holland, her native country. We began a long stretch of using it up, wearing it out, making it do, and doing a…

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Would you help resolve a dispute over the sale of a home?

Question: If you believe you are a wise person, can you please help me with this scenario? Shauna owned a new house worth $ 200,000 and she was renting it to Doug, a friend in the church. One day Doug asked Shauna if he could buy the house and so Shauna agreed. Because Doug was…

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When should a teenager start buying his own toiletries?

Question: When should a teenager start buying his own toiletries? Answer: When a teenager has cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, shaving cream, etc. that he wants of a specific brand and desires to use exclusively, then it is time to start purchasing them on his own. For example, if he uses the same shampoo that most of…

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Should I co-sign a loan for a church building?

Question: I am a member of a fundamental Bible-teaching church and firmly believe in the “literal” Word of the Bible. But I find myself in a difficult situation.  We are building a new Church building.  The building project was kicked off using traditional construction bank financing. We had enough assets and membership support at the time to…

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An Industrious Worker

I.         The Bible commends diligent work             A.        Jacob had his faults, but one thing we notice is that he was an industrious worker                         1.         Gen. 31:38-39 – Summary of his work record.                                     a.         Prosperous growth in herds                                     b.         No miscarriages in 20 years                                     c.         No losses from wild animals or from his own personal use since he replace all that was…

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Planning for Uncertainties

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/PlanningForUncertainties1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 41:25-40   I.         Consistently, the Scriptures warn us that wealth is an unreliable commodity             A.        Wealth is untrustworthy – Proverbs 11:28             B.        Making wealth your goal is foolish – Proverbs 23:4-5                         1.         It is also dangerous – I Timothy 6:9-11                         2.         Ironically, the desire for wealth – greed – will eventually lead you…

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Money Matters

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/MoneyMatters.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Chronicles 29:10-18   I.         We live in a society consumed with the desire for wealth             A.        Since money is a part of a Christian’s life, we need to know how to properly regard money and wealth.             B.        We need to know how to properly handle money. II.        Wealth comes from God and…

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The Great Giveaway

Text: Luke 14:25-33   I.         A Christian came to me and handed me a note one which was written “Luke 14:33 cannot be a disciple unless give up possessions. Why? 2 Cor. 8:14 for equality”             A.        I immediately told him he was wrong.             B.        His reply was how can he be wrong, he just quoted what the Bible…

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Can there be circumstances when cosigning a loan will be all right?

Question: Hi there. I’m writing to you because I’m at a fairly confusing time in my life. I’m 25 and attending college. In December I was divorced after less than one year in marriage. He left, divorcing me and citing, “irreconcilable differences.” God has always been faithful to me and rescued me from potentially disastrous…

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Is it a Sin to be in Debt?

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton An article in the paper caught my eye. “For some Christians, it’s a sin to be in debt.” As I continued to read, the author admitted that only a few “hardliners” say owing money is morally wrong. The verses they used to justify their belief were Romans 13:8, which says to owe…

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Avoiding Debt

Text: I Timothy 6:6-12 Firms go out of their way to offer me credit, For which, I might say, I am deeply indebted! – Doris O’Brien –   I.         A large industry has developed in the past hundred years or so             A.        It has existed for centuries, but it was commonly frowned upon until recent decades             B.        Once…

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What does the Bible say about credit cards?

Question: What the Bible said about credit cards, especially for the Christian? I cannot understand people using a credit card to give to the Lord. It brings many problems when you have no control over your spending. I cannot understand this. It is my belief that this is not God’s will. Could using a credit…

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From a Fortune Cookie

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I was at a Chinese restaurant the other day. It had been several years since I had been there, and the food quality had gone downhill in the meantime. But at the end of the meal came the traditional fortune cookie. As I munched on the treat I read the slip…

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How do I deal with a financially irresponsible wife?

Question: How do I deal with a wife who forges my name on checks, applies for credit cards in my name without my approval, hides the bills when they come in the mail, and then makes it my fault for what is going on financially? I am torn because I have a 9-year-old daughter whom…

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Money Myth Debunked: Money Management is the KEY!

by William C. Sexton In the January 6th, 2004 Fort Smith newspaper, Southwest Times Record, Mary Hunt had a list of MYTHS about money, which Lois read to me and I was impressed with most of them, especially the first one. Let us examine it, and then make some valid points that are related, also…

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What kinds of debt are permissible?

Question: In order to have my household in order for His glory, I understand we should not be in debt. What debt is permissible? House mortgage? College loans? Is there a biblical plan to reduce debt, whether credit card or other items? Answer: Firms go out their way to offer me credit, For which, I…

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Does King Joash give us an example of good financial management?

Question: I have some questions about King Joash’s prudent management. When instructions are given, does this story establish that they should be followed up regularly? Could you explain the renewed financial policies of King Joash? What do you think caused the people to respond as they did in II Chronicles 24:10? II Kings 12:4 and II Chronicles 24:5-6 seem to…

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The Ten Cannots

by William J. H. Boetcker (1916) You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative…

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