We go to schools to become equipped to earn it. Then we spend almost the rest of our lives, 40 to 60 hours a week, actually earning it. We invest countless hours in thought and discussion on how we’re going to handle it. We walk around stores, malls and we surf online…determining how we’re going to spend it. We get caught up more often than we would care to admit…worrying that we won’t have enough of it.
We dream about different ways to acquire more of it. Arguments over it are among the leading causes of marital conflict and government shutdowns. The obsession with getting it causes so many of society’s crimes. The absence of it causes so many of society’s nightmares.
The Bible teaches that to “love it” is the root of all kinds of evil. But on the other hand, if you have it, it can create all kinds of good. But wherever you’re at on the subject, as a person in ministry, you cannot afford to ignore the reality of, or the importance of…what God says about MONEY.
Money in the Bible – There are some 2,000 passages in the Bible that refer to the use of money. Approximately two thirds of Jesus’ parables make some reference to money.
“Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5, TLB)
Jesus taught us, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:32, 36)
So what is the current total American Personal Debt?
Total: $17.5 trillion
Ave credit card: $5,300
Ave Personal loan: $16,500
Ave Student loan: $38,800
Ave Mortgage: $208,000
Per U.S. adult: $58,604
77% of Americans are in debt badly
“The wise person saves for the future. But the foolish person spends all that they get.” (Proverbs 21:20)
“Once you’re in debt, negative interest becomes your companion every minute of the day and night, and it’s working against you. It has no love, no sympathy. It is as hard and soulless as a granite cliff, and you cannot dismiss it. Whenever you get in its way or cross its course or fail to meet its demands, it will crush you.”
But if you get on the right side of interest by becoming a saver.
- It can multiply your savings
- Add value to your investments
- Pay you a generous monthly check when you retire
4 Reasons to Say NO to Debt
- Debt enslaves a person to a creditor.
- “the borrower becomes a slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)
- Debt obligates a person to earning pressures.
- Debt undermines our joy.
- Debt erodes our giving opportunities.
Getting Out of Debt Requires Two Things
- A decision
- Time
Becoming A Saver Requires Four Things
- A decision
- A plan
- A partner committed to saving with you
- Time
“The wise person saves for the future. But the foolish person spends all that they get.” (Proverbs 21:20)
My Commitment Today
“Today marks the day when I finally say NO to the insanity of increasing debt and where I say YES to the wisdom and the freedom of putting aside some amount regularly in savings.”
John Wesley’s Money Motto
- Make all you can
- Save all you can
- Give all you can
Our goal as Christian leaders is always to model generosity.
Why do we call our initiative COMPASS?
COMPASS is a tool we use. It helps us to find and proceed on the right course, pointing us in the right direction. It helps us navigate toward our future destination with success.
COMPASS 1.0
- Lilly Endowment partnership
- Response to helping pastors get out of personal debt or educational debt
- Response to help pastors save for retirement
COMPASS 2.0
- Partnership between COMPASS, NBUSA and Districts
- Response to help pastors establish a $1,500 Emergency Savings Acct (ESA)
- Attending a 90-minute Financial Education session is required.
- Opening a separate ESA account and saving $750 is required.
- NBUSA will then match the $750, sending it to the church, for the pastor.
NBUSA has made a commitment to invest in YOU, to help pastors move past paralyzing “financial pressure” by establishing a personal Emergency Savings Account.
In partnership with NBUSA and Districts, our commitment as a COMPASS Leadership Team is to serve you with excellence in everything we do, if there is any way we can do that better, please contact us.