# [Donate Now](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0U6S00000c3ogMUAQ) to Disaster Relief and Crisis Fund
## 
## This week, Hurricane Ian swept through South and Central Florida, leaving a staggering amount of damage in its wake. At the time of this story’s publishing, the death toll has reached 42, more than 2 million people are without power, and thousands are facing at least temporary homelessness and a lengthy period of rebuilding.

We know givers at NCF want to find the best ways to use their [Giving Funds](https://www.ncfgiving.com/givingfund) to mobilize resources for victims of this unexpected crisis. Here are five ways you can help:

1. __Give now__ – Our offices in Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida are working together to find the best charities and churches on the ground supporting hurricane victims. They have established a special fund and will be making grants to nonprofits in their areas. You can make a fund-to-fund transfer by logging into your Giving Fund and going to the [transfer page](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/transfer) from the top  navigation. Be sure to include the fund name and number: __Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief and Crisis Fund, #294210__. [If you don’t have have a Giving Fund](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0U6S00000c3ogMUAQ), you can [open one](https://www.ncfgiving.com/open) in minutes or [make a one-time donation here](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0U6S00000c3ogMUAQ).
2. __Give later__ – It’s important to remember that the need for support doesn’t end when media coverage dies down. Insurance experts are predicting the [rebuilding costs for Florida will be in the 10s of billions](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/30/hurricane-ian-florida-insurance-00059598). If you want to help Florida long-term, you can set up a [recurring grant schedule](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/grant) to a charity focused on rebuilding over the coming months and years. As we learn more information, we will share which charities have long-term plans to restore homes and livelihoods in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
3. __Give non-cash assets__ – If you really want to step up your support, consider giving [non-cash assets](https://www.ncfgiving.com/solutions/non-cash/) such as appreciated securities, business interests, and real estate. These types of assets often provide tax-efficient benefits and may help you multiply your impact for the churches, Christian nonprofits, and other charities you feel called to support.
4. __Grant with confidence__ – When disasters strike, NCF can help you avoid the scams and fraud that are rampant. When you request a grant from your fund, we review the charity to ensure it’s IRS-approved and ready to receive support, so you can be confident you’re funding a legitimate organization.
5. __Pray__ – In the wake of a disaster, trauma often follows the crisis. As victims of Hurricane Ian face great losses, pray that they get the help they need. Pray that their hearts will be encouraged and that God, who works all things for the good of those who love him, will use this time to bring people to faith and draw his people nearer to himself.

## __If you don’t have a Giving Fund at NCF yet, [learn more](https://www.ncfgiving.com/solutions/giving-fund/) or [open one](https://www.ncfgiving.com/open/) today.__

*[Image](https://www.ncfgiving.com/stories/5-ways-to-help-victims-of-hurricane-ian/) used with permission*

NCF helps people create a giving strategy based on biblical principles, so they can be wise stewards of all they have and experience the joy of greater generosity.

National Christian Foundation

Wealth and Resources

You can give now to help those in need, plus five additional ways you can help victims of Hurricane Ian.

5 ways to help victims of Hurricane Ian

Matt Bell

__In 1917, members of Congress worried that a tax increase imposed to fund America’s involvement in World War I might prompt people to cut back on charitable donations. So, along with the increase, Congress created a tax deduction for giving. More than 100 years later, it’s still with us.__

Although the doubling of the standard deduction in 2018 has reduced the number of taxpayers who itemize their deductions, a healthy number still do. If you’re among them, this article is for you. It’s easy, of course, to value the contributions you make by cash, check, or credit card. But what about non-cash donations? How much is that Reagan-era suit worth? Or that treadmill gathering dust in the basement? Quite possibly, more than you realize.

__Thrift store guidance__

On their websites, both the [Salvation Army](https://satruck.org/Home/DonationValueGuide) and [Goodwill](https://www.goodwill.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/donation_valuation_guide.pdf)  provid e guides for donated items. Unfortunately, the sites contain a very limited number of items. As for value, the Salvation Army lists a range of prices, advising people to simply “choose a value within this range that reflects your item’s relative age and quality.” Goodwill, in contrast, assigns a specific valuation per item, noting that it assumes all donated items are in good condition.

For example, while the Salvation Army says a woman’s dress is worth anywhere from $4 to $20, Goodwill puts the value at $7. A computer system? The Salvation Army offers a range of $104 to $417—without any more specific guidance. (Is one brand worth more than another? What about memory, processor speed, or screen size?) As for Goodwill, it suggests valuing any desktop computer at $150.

__There’s an app for that__

Fortunately, thrift-store websites are not your only option. Some tax preparation software packages, including TurboTax and H&R Block, include detailed tools for valuing non-cash donations. The TurboTax tool, [ItsDeductible](https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/itsdeductible/), is particul arly helpful—and you don’t need to be a TurboTax user to gain access to it from your computer, tablet, or smartphone (iOS devices only). You will need to set up an account, but there is no cost.

Valuations for the more than 10,000 items in the ItsDeductible database are determined by analyzing eBay transactions. To determine the value of an item you’re giving away, you first enter the name of the charity and the date of the donation. Then you choose from 22 major categories, each of which splits into numerous sub-categories.

To return to our earlier example, if you’re donating a woman’s dress, you start with the “Clothing, Footwear & Accessories” category, choose “Women’s Clothing,” and then choose among six more specific options. After selecting the one that best describes your item, you make a judgment call as to whether it’s of “medium value” or “high value.”

If you’re donating a computer, ItsDeductible gives you a choice between PC or Apple, and laptop or desktop. It even asks you to note the computer’s processor speed, and again, whether it’s of medium or high value.

Another helpful feature of ItsDeductible is that it can keep a running tally of your donations made throughout the year, as well as projected tax savings based on your tax bracket. You can view and print summaries of your donations or import the data directly into TurboTax Deluxe.


![](https://dcktxkaneetr8.cloudfront.net/2021/07/l1-donation-apps.png)


__Which approach is best?__

In an SMI comparison of a handful of items, Goodwill tended to have the lowest valuations while the Salvation Army had the highest. ItsDeductible provided valuations for the most items and in the most detail. Depending on how many non-cash contributions you make and how much time you’re willing to put into this, you may want to compare prices between the Salvation Army guide and ItsDeductible. You could also double-check eBay for the prices of items similar to what you’re donating. Let’s say you’re giving away a Monopoly board game. The Salvation Army puts the value of a board game at just $1 to $3 while ItsDeductible puts it at $5 to $6, but you’ll find much higher prices on eBay. Just be sure to take a screenshot so you have a record that supports the value you used.

No matter which approach you take, the ultimate valuation standard you’re up against is the IRS definition of fair-market value: “The price that would be agreed on between a willing buyer and a willing seller, with neither being required to act, and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts” (see [IRS Publication 561](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p561)).

That’s a somewhat subjective standard, so using a valuation guide can help legitimize how you valued your donated items should the IRS ever challenge your deductions. Also, always get a receipt from the charity, and it’s a good idea to take photos of donated items as well.

If the value of all your non-cash donations for the year comes to $500 or less, you can enter that amount on Schedule A. If the total is over $500, you have to file [Form 8283](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8283). If any  one item is valued at more than $5,000, you’ll need a formal appraisal (unless it was a publicly traded security). There are special rules that apply to donated vehicles, which you can read about in [IRS Publication 4303](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4303.pdf).

__Chances are good that the items you donate are worth more than you think, and with several easy-to-use valuation tools freely available, there’s no reason not to claim the full, fair value on your tax return.__

Since 1990, do-it-yourself Christian investors have relied on SMI for proven strategies and trustworthy guidance.

Sound Mind Investing

Personal Finance

Before 2022 comes to an end, keep these important points in mind on the potential worth of non-cash donations.

Non-Cash Donations: Worth More in Tax Savings Than You Might Think!

Leo Sabo

Growing up, I recall the Christmas season being about giving. Everyone focused on buying something for their loved ones. Somewhere along the way, the notion that we should also treat ourselves to something special got thrown into the mix. Companies and retailers started using language like, "while you're buying that perfect gift for your loved ones, why not treat yourself to that thing you've always wanted?" And so the season of giving became not just about giving to others, but also giving to ourselves.

It's easy to get caught up in the frenzy that is present during holiday shopping. __This is mainly due to the increased emotional triggers we experience during this season.__ Emotions are good, but unfortunately, they are fickle, change frequently, and can lead us astray. Making financial decisions based on emotional impulses alone is like trying to catch the wind. You never quite nail it down, and continuing this impulse buying will result in experiencing regret, fear, hopelessness, and shame.

Spending on impulse is similar to any addiction because it provides that dopamine hit that feels so good as we experience the emotional satisfaction of getting what we want. Of course, this feeling doesn't last because it cannot satisfy us to the level that we need, so we try again, and again, and again. With every purchase, we're seeking that deep satisfaction we long for that possessions can't satisfy.

Early in our marriage, my wife, Natalie, and I engaged in a lot of impulse buying. Neither of us was taught to manage money, so we did what felt right to us. After paying our bills, which both of our parents taught us to do, we spent everything we had leftover on whatever felt good at that time. Four years into our marriage, we found ourselves with 13 credit cards, one car payment, and a new mortgage. I then got laid off, and so began one of the most difficult times in our life.

As a man and the sole provider for our growing family, I felt like a failure. I felt regret for spending money so foolishly, shame for failing to protect my family from this situation, hopelessness because I didn't see a way out, and I experienced constant worry and fear about the future. The question I kept asking myself was, "How did I not see the foolishness in our behavior to spend as we did?"

We are indeed emotional beings, but we're also logical beings, able to think and reason between right and wrong, good and bad. Most people aren't taught to manage money. __And we're especially not taught of the dangers our emotions and feelings can have on our financial decisions__. Adding basic financial education can help overcome our impulsive nature to a degree. It can also improve our spending decisions. Still, it takes more than that to break the impulse to spend and become financially wise.

__THE TURNING POINT FOR NATALIE AND ME WAS LEARNING GOD'S WORD ON MONEY AND POSSESSIONS__.

Before our financial crisis, we had no idea how much God said about money, especially our emotions around money. __Financial education is good because it provides you with the principles and knowledge to calculate the impact of your financial decisions.__ However, this knowledge doesn't diminish the feelings and desires, which cause us to go beyond what's financially safe and wise. This is why we need God's word.

God's word is not just knowledge; it's truth. __Truth goes beyond knowledge.__ It touches the deepest part of who we are by shining its light and revealing the real motives behind our actions. Like a mirror, truth makes us see everything, and if we're willing, it develops convictions and standards in us that line up with God's truth.

The late Larry Burkett shared an example to illustrate the power of conviction. He said that if he could talk a person out of buying a new car because the payment would be too much for him, a salesperson out there could much more easily talk that same person into buying that new car. Why? Because the salesperson has the new car as a prop to motivate him to buy. The desire for the new car, which he can have right now, is greater than the financial pain of a new car payment, which he hasn't experienced yet.

"However," Larry said, "If I can teach the man God's perspective on debt. And if he understood the truth, that the debtor becomes the lender's slave (Proverbs 22:6) and he accepted that truth, it would form a conviction in him regarding debt, that no person on earth would ever convince him to violate." God's word speaks to both our minds (reasoning) and our emotions (feelings) to shape our beliefs and develop convictions and living standards that line up with His kingdom principles.

__We cannot forget that our enemy is real. He intends to steal, kill, and destroy us, but Jesus came to give us life more abundant.__ (John 10:10) We will never experience that life through material possessions alone. The enemy's major weapon today is materialism, and he entices us to look to material possessions to provide happiness and meaning to our lives.

Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that *"the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure."* We cannot tame or control our emotions unless God's word is in us. It is *"living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."* (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)

__By God's word, we can overcome the emotional impulse to indulge and instead truly make this season about others; loving, giving, serving, and helping those in need.__ Now that will make you genuinely joyous!

We teach church leaders the biblical perspective on finances.

Christian Stewardship Network

Blog

Spending on impulse is similar to any addiction because it provides that dopamine hit that feels so good...

Overcoming the Emotional Impulse to Spend

Art Rainer

## Money is a difficult topic to broach in church. Many pastors are fearful to speak on it and many churchgoers hate to hear about it. So, sometimes, both parties just decide to avoid it. But this is not best. God’s perspective on money needs to be taught and learned.

So, if you are a churchgoer who just noticed that the upcoming sermon is on money, here are 5 ways to prepare for it:

### 1. Plan to attend.

Don’t skip church just because you are uncomfortable with the topic. As long as you have a pastor who is providing a Biblical perspective on money, you should be there.

### 2. Realize the Bible talks about money a lot.

Specifically, Jesus dedicated a significant portion of His teachings to the topic of money. And for good reason. The way one manages their money is a reflection of their heart. Because Jesus emphasized the role of money in our lives, so should your pastor. Your real concern should be a pastor who avoids the topic of money.

> Because Jesus emphasized the role of money in our lives, so should your pastor. Your real concern should be a pastor who avoids the topic of money.

### 3. Read and contemplate Matthew 25:14-30.

This is most commonly referred to as the Parable of the Talents. God has given each of us some resources to manage for the advancement of His Kingdom. This includes the management of our money Hopefully, reading and contemplating this passage will make you more eager to learn more about financial stewardship.

### 4. Pray.

Pray that God will use the upcoming sermon to speak to your heart. Pray that God will wipe away any cynicism toward your pastor and his teaching. Pray that God will show you ways in which you can better align with His design for your money.

### 5. Set you mind on listening with open ears and an open heart.

I don’t pretend to know how God will use the sermon in your life. But what I do know is that if you are determined not gain anything from it, you will probably be successful. Allow God to work in your life through the teaching and studying of the Bible. Whether it is about money or anything else in the Bible, listen to what God has to say. He knows you best. He designed you. And you need to know how His design was meant to work.

*[Image](https://www.artrainer.com/post/5-ways-churchgoers-should-prepare-for-a-sermon-on-money) used with permission*

You were meant for more. Your money was meant for more. You and your money are meant for an exciting, adventurous, and satisfying purpose. You were designed to live and give generously. And deep inside you know this and want this.

Church

If you are a churchgoer who just noticed that the upcoming sermon is on money, here are 5 ways to prepare for it...

5 Ways Churchgoers Should Prepare for a Sermon on Money

If you have more than you need, don’t hoard it. Instead, seize the opportunity to be extra generous in your giving. Rob West shares how to evaluate your situation.

Biblical Wisdom For Your Financial Journey

MoneyWise

The MoneyWise Minute is a great way to be reminded of God's financial principles with actionable items you can easily apply to your daily life.

MoneyWise Minute

If you have more than you need, don’t hoard it. Instead, seize the opportunity to be extra generous in your giving. Rob West shares how to evaluate your situation.

Are You Saving Too Much for Retirement?

Supreme Court Justice John Marshall once said, “The power to tax … is the power to destroy.” In the early 1800s, Marshall was actually defending the federal government against taxation by the states. But what defense do you have against taxation by the federal government? 
<ul><li>History has shown us that given the opportunity, government will almost always raise taxes. As the national debt continues to rise, there’s ever more reason for lawmakers to want more of your money.</li><li>Even with the recent downturn of the stock market, Americans still hold trillions in 401k accounts, and you can be sure that many federal and even state lawmakers would like to get a bigger piece of the 401k pie.</li><li>Now, we’re not talking about the federal government confiscating your retirement savings. That would be political suicide. It’s much easier for politicians to simply raise income taxes. So when the day comes that you withdraw funds from your 401k, you pay more in income tax.</li><li>SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT 401Ks</li><li>You have to understand something about the 401k, and for that matter, the traditional IRA, as well. One of the huge tax benefits of those plans is also a weakness. </li><li>Money goes in tax-deferred, meaning grow now, pay later. Contributing to these plans has always made sense because most of us assume that our income will be lower in retirement when withdrawals are taxed as regular income.</li><li>The weakness is that the government can always increase taxes on 401ks and traditional IRAss in the future. And there’s plenty of reason to do it.</li><li>It’s one more thing you can blame on the coronavirus pandemic. Business shutdowns and high unemployment caused a huge drop in government revenue. Add in the cost of relief programs, and you have federal and state governments looking for ways to overcome budget shortfalls, even more than usual.</li><li>So no doubt, some lawmakers are looking at the trillions held in these accounts as the solution, and that’s why we might expect tax hikes down the road.</li><li>So what’s your defense against that possible outcome? Well, first of all, you don’t want to stop contributing. Qualified retirement plans have a range of benefits that you should take advantage of.</li><li>But you should heed the warning in Ecclesiastes 11:2, “Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.”</li><li>That biblical principle tells you to diversify your retirement holdings. The same way you spread out your holdings in stocks versus bonds — or by holding equities in different sectors of the economy — you can also diversify between taxable and non-taxable income streams in retirement.</li><li>If you have a 401k, the easiest way to do that is by putting some of your money in a designated Roth account if your plan has that feature. This is a Roth account within your 401k where you would contribute “after tax” money. Later in retirement, withdrawals of those contributions and earnings will be tax-free. So you’re setting up a tax-free income stream in retirement.</li><li>Of course, there are limits to what you can contribute to a Roth 401k, those deposits count against the total allowed for 401k contributions. In 2022, the limit is $20,500, or $27,000 if you're age 50 or older.</li><li>If your 401k plan doesn’t offer a Roth option, you would still want to contribute enough to get the maximum employer contribution if there is one. After that, if you still have discretionary income to invest, you could open a Roth account outside of your 401k, which, of course, you should do if your employer doesn’t offer a 401k at all.</li><li>Okay, by now you might be thinking, “If government can raise taxes on withdrawals from 401ks and traditional IRAs, it can also start taxing Roth withdrawals.”</li><li>It could, but politically, it wouldn’t be nearly as easy to start taxing Roth accounts as it would be to simply raise taxes on the other plans. Roth accounts were specifically created to have tax-free withdrawals. It’s the whole reason for their existence, and remember, Roth contributions are already taxed going in. It would be far more difficult for lawmakers to suddenly “do a 180” and effectively “double tax” Roth accounts.</li><li>Now, there’s one more possible hedge against future tax hikes, and it’s actually using a taxable brokerage account. It would allow you to get around the contribution limits of qualified retirement plans, although you would incur taxes year to year.</li><li>So it’s not a great option, but if you’re able to max out your contributions to a 401k and Roth and still have money to invest, a regular brokerage account is probably the way to go.</li></ul>On this program, Rob also answers listener questions: 
<ul><li>Is it unbiblical for a married couple to have separate checking accounts? </li><li>Can you allocate VA money to a spouse with the veteran in question is in long-term care? </li><li>Is there a good way to build a budget on a smartphone app? </li></ul>RESOURCES MENTIONED: 
<ul><li><a href="https://app.moneywise.org/">MoneyWise App</a> </li></ul>Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to <a href="mailto:questions@moneywise.org">Questions@MoneyWise.org</a>. Also, visit our website at <a href="http://moneywise.org/">MoneyWise.org</a> where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app.

MoneyWise is a daily radio ministry of MoneyWise Media. Hosted by Rob West and Steve Moore, the program offers a practical, biblical and good-natured approach to managing your time, talents and resources.

MoneyWise with Rob West

Supreme Court Justice John Marshall once said “The power to tax is the power to destroy.” ﻿ In the early 1800s, Marshall was defending the federal government against taxation by states but what defense have you against taxation by the federal government?

Hedging Against Tax Hikes

## Concerning money and possessions, the Bible is sometimes extreme, sometimes shocking. When we come to Scripture, it’s for comfort, not for assaults against our worldview, right? Let *God* talk about love and grace, thank you. Let *us* talk about money and possessions—then do with them whatever we please.

Were we honest, that’s what many of us would say.

Some believers ask each other tough questions: “Have you been spending time in the Word? Sharing your faith? Guarding your sexual purity?” Yet how often do we ask, "Are you winning the battle against materialism?” Or, "Have you been peeking at those tempting magazines and websites? You know, the ones that entice you to greed?”

People are more open even about their sexual struggles than about battling materialism, which may be the final frontier. Some churches do talk about getting out of debt. I applaud that. But you can be debt free and still be stingy and greedy. We don’t need to become smarter materialists; we need to repent of materialism and become smart *stewards*.

Jesus sees our hearts and knows us well. He doesn’t call all disciples to give away everything. He *does* call us to take radical action that breaks our bondage to money and possessions, freeing us to live under His lordship. He calls all of us to dethrone all secondary treasures in order to elevate Him as our primary treasure. If we value anything or anyone more than we value Jesus, we are not His disciples.

What we do with our money doesn’t simply indicate where our heart *is*. According to Jesus, it determines where our heart *goes*. If our heart is where our treasure is ([Matthew 6:19-21](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%206.19-21)), then when we move our treasure somewhere else, our heart follows. This is a remarkable truth. If I want my heart somewhere I need to put my money there.

When people asked John the Baptist what they should do to bear the fruit of repentance, he told them to share their clothes and food with the poor. Then he instructed tax collectors not to collect and pocket extra money. Finally, he told soldiers not to extort money and accuse falsely, and to be content with their wages ([Luke 3:7-14](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%203.7-14)).

No one had asked John about money and possessions. Yet his answers showed that John couldn’t talk about spiritual change without addressing how people handle material things.

If John the Baptist were to visit us today, what conclusions would he draw about our attitudes and actions toward money and possessions? Would the evidence convince him we are true followers of Jesus? Or would he see us as baptized versions of the world’s self-preoccupied materialists?

## Microsoft executive Tricia Mayer wrote me, “Stewardship is the Christian life. It is about what we do with every resource given to us, every day we walk the earth, and every relationship we have. The difficult task of stewardship is mustering the discipline and will to manage the problem child called money.”

A steward is entrusted with wealth or property that does not belong to him. It’s his responsibility to manage that wealth in the best interests of, and according to the stated wishes of, the owner. God has given us life, time, talents, money, possessions, family, and His grace. In each case He evaluates what we do with what He’s entrusted to us.

The steward is granted by the owner sufficient resources and the authority to carry out his designated responsibilities. When it comes to financial stewardship, God hasn’t handed us a standardized checklist to mark off. Rather, He has provided us His Word with principles for effective financial stewardship—principles we have to wrestle with. A responsible steward consults the Owner, seeking His direction. This requires insight and wisdom far beyond our own. Scripture says, *“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault”* ([James 1:5](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/James%201.5)).

Do you truly desire God’s wisdom and empowerment in making difficult stewardship decisions (and evaluating your own heart)? *Then ask.* He won’t leave you in the dark. He has given you His Word and His Spirit to guide you.

- And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth ([Deut. 8:18](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Deut.%208.18)).
- The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up ([1 Sam. 2:7](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Sam.%202.7)).
- Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all ([I Chron. 29:12](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Chron.%2029.12)).

Stewardship is living in the light of these truths. It’s living with the awareness that we are managers, not owners, of what God has entrusted to us for this brief season. How we handle money and possessions demonstrates who we *really* believe is their true owner—God or us.

John Wesley offered four questions to help decide how to spend money. Notice how the last three flow directly out of the first one:

- In spending this money, am I acting as if I owned it, or am I acting as the Lord’s trustee?
- What Scripture requires me to spend this money in this way?
- Can I offer up this purchase as a sacrifice to the Lord?
- Will God reward me for this expenditure at the resurrection of the just?

## If we really believe God is the owner of everything, shouldn’t we regularly be asking Him, “What do you want me to do with your money and your possessions?” And shouldn’t we be open to the possibility that He may want us to share large portions of His assets with those whose needs are greater than ours?

I spoke with a man who’d read *The Treasure Principle*, my book on giving. He owns a profitable business and believes for the first time that he knows why God has blessed him financially. It’s not so he can drive nicer cars and live in a nicer house. It’s to give it to build God’s kingdom. I told him about several different missions groups and prolife projects, and ways to help persecuted Christians. I wish you could have heard the excitement in his voice as he walked away determined to liquidate more earthly assets and dramatically expand his eternal investment portfolio!

This man followed through, and has given more and more over the years. He isn’t reluctant and guilt-ridden. He’s been liberated from material bondage, and is thrilled to have gotten onboard with what matters! He’s like the man who finds priceless treasure hidden in the field, *“Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field”* ([Matt. 13:44](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt.%2013.44)). Do we pity the man for his sacrifices? No!We envy him both for his treasure and his *joy*.

If God is speaking to you, listen. *Nothing’s more fleeting than the moment of conviction. Never procrastinate obedience.* Once we stand before His throne, it will be too late to go back and reclaim a lifetime of squandered opportunities. Gazing into the eyes of the Christ we treasure, we’ll know exactly how we should have lived. God has given us His Word so we don’t have to wait to die to find out. And He’s given us His Spirit to empower us to live that way *now*.

*This article originally appeared in the Fall/Winter issue of* Eternal Perspectives, *EPM's quarterly magazine.*

*[Image](https://www.epm.org/static/uploads/newsletter_images/jar_of_coins.jpg) used with permission.*

Eternal Perspective Ministries, founded and directed by author Randy Alcorn, is focused on investing in what lasts for eternity, and helping others to do the same.

Eternal Perspective Ministries

Articles

Concerning money and possessions, the Bible is sometimes extreme, sometimes shocking.

Eternity Minded Stewardship and Giving

A fast food chain once used the slogan, “Have it your way.” Ever wonder why credit card companies don’t use it? If you glance over a few credit card agreements, you’ll quickly see that issuers write them to pretty much have things their way. But not always. Some things are negotiable. We’ll fill you in on this MoneyWise. 
<ul><li>We’ve talked before about how Americans are a bit too complacent. We don’t like to haggle over prices, which is a way of life in many countries around the world.</li><li>We might walk away if we don’t like the price of something, but we usually don’t think to ask for a better deal.</li><li>Now, when it comes to credit cards, it would be a good idea to get over that reluctance. The Federal Reserve says that Americans owe nearly <a href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/research/2022/20220802#:~:text=Aggregate%20limits%20on%20credit%20card,in%20more%20than%20ten%20years.">$1 </a><a href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/research/2022/20220802#:~:text=Aggregate%20limits%20on%20credit%20card,in%20more%20than%20ten%20years.">trillion</a> in credit card debt. The average household balance is over <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/credit-card-debt-study/24400">$8000</a>.</li><li>Obviously, the best solution is to pay down credit card debt, but while you’re doing that, you can do a few things to make it easier.</li><li>And we’re certainly not talking about negotiating to have your balance lowered. That’s called a settlement, and while folks sometimes find themselves in a financial predicament where they have to negotiate a settlement, we always want to avoid that and pay our debts in full.</li><li>Proverbs 37:21 reads, “The wicked borrows but does not pay back … ”</li><li>So just what can you negotiate with credit card companies? And actually, there’s really not a lot of “negotiating” required. For the most part, we’re really talking about just asking for something and waiting for a yes or no. So it’s a pretty simple process.</li><li>So let’s look at interest rates and fees. The plastic in your wallet is a great convenience at times, but it’s not cheap, even if you pay your balance in full every month.</li><li>The typical credit card may come with as many as four different fees, and the biggest money maker for the issuers is the late fee, which could run as high as $35 every time you’re late making a payment. The vast majority of people simply pay it, not realizing there may be a better way to handle it.</li><li>And that would be simply making a phone call to your credit card issuer and asking to have the fee waived. The number’s right on the back of the card. And we have some pretty good data on how effective this can be.</li><li>CreditCards.com asked 1600 cardholders about their experience when calling their issuer and simply asking for a better deal. They focused on three areas: reversing a late fee, waiving or reducing an annual fee, and a really important request … lowering the interest rate.</li><li>The survey revealed something quite surprising. A full 85% of cardholders who made at least one request got what they wanted.</li><li>It was also surprising to learn that not a lot of people know this because only three out of five cardholders in the survey reported making such a request.</li><li>The survey broke down the success rates for each type of request: late fees, annual fees, and lower interest rates.</li><li>In each case, the results were largely positive. Those asking to have a late fee waived were successful about 85% of the time. More than half were able to get their interest rate lowered, again, just by asking.</li><li>But maybe more surprising, almost 3/4 of those asking to have their annual fee waived were successful. It’s true that only about 30 percent of credit cards have an annual fee, but for those that do, they’re pretty high, averaging well over $100. </li><li>But again, the survey showed that not many people are aware that a simple phone call might get their annual fee eliminated. Only 18% of those polled had ever asked for it. Even more disturbing, they were much more likely to ask for a credit limit increase.</li><li>Okay, the numbers clearly show that your chances of success are more than 50-50, sometimes a lot more. But why are credit card companies so willing to give in? </li><li>Two words for you there: balance transfer. They know all too well that most of their cardholders can simply take their business elsewhere by transferring their balance to another issuer’s card.</li><li>And they don’t want to lose you even if you pay off your balance every month, because they still make a lot of money in vendor fees when you use their card. So they have a vested interest in keeping you happy.</li><li>One final thought: in these days of inflation and rising interest rates, it may be more difficult to get a lower rate, but it’s all the more important to try.</li></ul>On this program, Rob also answers listener questions: 
<ul><li>Would you have to pay a gift tax after receiving a large gift from a family member? </li><li>At age 62 with adult children, do you still need life insurance? </li><li>Would it make sense to refinance your first home and use equity to purchase a second property?</li></ul>Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to <a href="mailto:questions@moneywise.org">Questions@MoneyWise.org</a>. Also, visit our website at <a href="http://moneywise.org/">MoneyWise.org</a> where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app.

A fast food chain once used the slogan, “Have it your way.” Ever wonder why credit card companies don’t use it? Glance over a few credit card agreements, you’ll see that issuers write them to have things their way. But some things are negotiable!

The Art of the Credit Card Deal

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## I believe the only way to break the power of materialism is first, to see ourselves as stewards that God has entrusted these money and possessions to, and second, to give. Jesus says, *“It is more blessed to give than to receive”* ([Acts 20:35](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%2020.35)).

As long as I still have something, I believe I own it. But when I give it away, I relinquish the control, power, and prestige that come with wealth. At the moment of release, the light turns on. The magic spell is broken. My mind clears, and I recognize God as owner, myself as servant, and other people as intended beneficiaries of what God has entrusted to me.

The New Testament offers guidelines for giving that can help us fight the pull of materialism:

1. __Give.__ Giving affirms Christ’s lordship. It dethrones me and exalts Him. It breaks the chains of mammon that would enslave me and transfers my center of gravity to Heaven.
2. __Give generously.__ How much is generous? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’ve never tithed, start there—then begin to stretch your generosity.
3. __Give regularly.__ Stewardship is not a once-a-year consideration, but a week-to-week, month-to-month commitment requiring discipline and consistency.
4. __Give deliberately.__ Giving is at its best when it’s a conscious effort that’s repeatedly made.
5. __Give voluntarily.__ When we catch a vision of God’s grace, we will give *beyond* our duty.
6. __Give sacrificially.__ We don’t like risky faith. We like to have our safety net below us. But we miss the adventure of seeing God provide when we’ve really stretched ourselves in giving.
7. __Give excellently.__ Paul says, *“See that you also excel in this grace of giving”* ([2 Corinthians 8:7](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%208.7)).
8. __Give cheerfully__. If we’re not cheerful, the problem is our heart, and the solution is redirecting our heart, not withholding our giving.
9. __Give worshipfully.__ Our giving is a reflexive response to God’s grace. It doesn’t come out of our altruism—it comes out of the transforming work of Christ in us.
10. __Give more as you make more.__ Remember: God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.
11. __Give quietly.__ Showiness in giving is always inappropriate. (But sometimes our acts of righteousness *will* be seen by men and even *should* be.)

*[Image](https://www.epm.org/static/cache/6d/d4/6dd4f2b4249c2c09db083d5ed22590c1.jpg) used with permission.*

The only way to break the power of materialism is to do these two things...

Eleven Giving Guidelines to Fight the Pull of Materialism

## Everyone wastes a little money here and there. The trick is to not waste a *lot* of money.

Forget to cancel a subscription or fail to get gas where it’s cheaper, and you’re out a few bucks, but ignore some *big* money wasters and your finances can really take a hit.

The *[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-biggest-ways-people-waste-money-11560523181) *surveyed several personal finance experts, authors, and even a Nobel Prize winning economist, to find out what they considered big money wasters.

__The first one they named is something they called “compensatory purchases.”__ That’s a fancy name for “keeping up with the Joneses.” It’s anything you spend money on to make other people think you’re successful. In reality, you’re doing it because you *don’t* feel successful.

Compensatory purchases would include luxury goods and high end clothing with visible logos to indicate you have money and status. The experts said these can include small-ticket items purchased over and over, such as designer coffee.

__Another big ticket money waster, perhaps the biggest, is buying too much house.__ One of the experts explained that peoples’ thinking about big houses hasn’t caught up with technology that enables us to live comfortably with less space.

Take large, elaborate kitchens, for example. Readily available prepared foods have made them obsolete. But what the experts didn’t say is that pre-packaged food items can also be a *money waster*.

__Another example of buying too much house is having a rarely used room, an extra bedroom__ that sits empty most of the time, or the workshop in the basement gathering dust, or space for bookshelves when we have e-books that take up no space at all, although maybe it’s not as much fun to curl up with a Kindle.

__For one expert, a big money waster for many people was buying a new car,__ especially if you’re just trying to impress someone. You’ll have to work 2 to 3 months out of the year just to make the payments and insurance. A better option for many people is a dependable late-model vehicle with low mileage.

If you simply *must* have that “new car smell,” you can buy it in a can and make any car smell brand new for around $10.

Keep in mind, however, that buying a *new car* is fine if you can afford it and plan to keep it for many years, especially if you can buy it with cash. If no one bought new cars, we soon wouldn’t have any cars at all.

Of course, with today’s high interest rates, and sky high car prices, it’s more important than ever to buy a car for practical reasons, such as affordable, dependable transportation.

__The next potential money waster is touchy for many parents.__ It’s spending money on adult children for things they should be paying for, such as keeping them on your car insurance or cell phone plan. If you no longer need a family plan and an individual one is cheaper, you’re just wasting money.

__The experts also mentioned overscheduling younger children with too many expensive activities.__ It’s better to have the kids focus on one or maybe two things they really enjoy because the cost of extracurricular activities, and transportation to *them*, continues to rise.

__You also should avoid getting a gym membership unless you’re absolutely sure you’ll use it.__ Otherwise it’s just another money waster.  Having an unused gym membership has been described as “the failure to recognize future laziness.”

__Another money waster is unplanned trips to the grocery store.__ That’s when you go in thinking you just need to grab one item, and you end up spending $100, which these days fits in two or three bags.

Also mentioned were pre-packaged sugary snacks that could easily be replaced with something less expensive like an apple— better for your wallet and your waistline.

## We all have to watch our spending to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Proverbs 21:10 reminds us, *“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”*

You can also __[listen](https://www.moneywise.org/search?q=Big%20Money%20Wasters&videos=true&articles=true&podcasts=true&posts=true&groups=true&events=true&support=true)__ to the related podcast on this topic.

Everyone wastes a little money here and there. The trick is to not waste a lot of money.

Big Money Wasters

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