Ministries:
Adult | Teens | Children

Pastor's Pen's:
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Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2003

Grace Church of Burlington April 27, 2003 "A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it."    Bob Hope      The collection department of one Detroit firm tried a new approach on a recalcitrant account in a small village in the Corn Belt. "Dear Mr. Caldwell," their letter began. "What would all of your neighbors think if we came to your town and repossessed your car?" In due course, their letter came back to them, with this message scrawled across the bottom: "Gents, I have taken up this matter with my neighbors, and they think it would be a lousy trick."         Now that Spring is here, How are you doing with that New Year’s resolution of getting your finances in order? Maybe one of the kids heads off to college soon, you need a new car, or you’d like to work on a college degree. But lately you’ve been wondering how you’ll ever afford any of those things. Don’t despair, with some planning and discipline, all of us can be better stewards of our finances. Try these steps to help you get started.       1. Figure out where you are. Determine your net worth by making a simple balance sheet. List your assets (what you own and are purchasing over time such as cash, real estate, household goods, retirement account balances) and your liabilities (what you owe such as mortgages, loans, credit card debt, health care bills). This can be discouraging if your liabilities greatly exceed your assets. But use that as an incentive to get your financial affairs in order.        2. Determine where you want to be. If you’re not satisfied with where you are financially, set definite goals. If your balance sheet is negative, reduce your debts by specific amounts. If you’re in decent shape, perhaps plan to make those home improvements, purchase that car, save for future educational expenses or give some of the surplus to the Lord. If you’re aware of a major expense that’s several years away, such as retiring in 20 years, consider what it’ll cost annually to be where you want to be when that time comes.       3. Establish a plan to get you there. Set up a monthly and annual budget to get on track. Create a sheet that lets you keep track of what you estimate your monthly income and expenses will be, and then fill in actual amounts after you pay your bills. Keep it simple and realistic. Don’t forget to budget for less frequent expenses such as income taxes, auto maintenance and repair, and quarterly insurance payments. Throughout the year, track your budget (estimates vs. actuals), evaluate your progress, and fine-tune your plan to meet your goals.    4. Commit to your budget and stick with it. This means avoiding future debt. You must say no to new purchases and avoid impulse buying. Find other activities to do besides going shopping. Throw away catalogs. And don't fall into buying now and paying later. Eighty-six percent of those Americans who have voluntarily cut back their consumption say they are happier as a result.      5. Pay off debt systematically. Make a plan and stick to it. List all debts in order, from the smallest to the largest. Then, pay at least the minimum payment on each debt each month. Double payments on the debt at the top of the list whenever possible. Finally, as each debt is paid off, apply that payment plus the minimum payment toward the next debt.      6. Make your spending need-based. Most purchases are desire-based, interest-based, pleasure-based, or cash-flow based. Just because you get a raise or a hefty tax refund is no reason to increase spending. To determine if it is a need, wait. Think about it for a day or week. Pray about it. If it is a clear need, there will be no ambiguity.     7. Integrate a lifestyle of simplicity and contentment. If you are content with the things God freely gives you, expecting little and rejoicing in whatever comes your way, debt will lose its fangs. You might consider, too, even moving to a smaller home, or driving a cheaper car. Just live a simpler life. Let appliances die in your arms. Wait until its dead before you replace it. Stop glorifying cars. View cars as transportation, not status symbols. Then, simplify your meals. Eat out less. The average American family spends $2700 a year eating out. Discipline your taste buds to accept simplicity and healthful foods. Your wallet and your body will thank you. Do something un-American, eat at home and enjoy free activities. Use the library for books, magazines, and videos. Read instead of going to the movies or shopping. Develop a hobby. Take a walk.      Debt is enslaving. If you have fallen into its trap, use that same debt as an opportunity for spiritual and financial growth. This will demand changing your measuring stick. Money is not the measure of all things. Remember, we live in a society, not an economy. God commands us to be faithful stewards, let’s be people of obedience.