June 10 - Matthew 22:21

Jesus said,

“Therefore render to Caesar

the things that are Caesar's, and

to God the things that are God's.”

Matthew 22:21

^ESV

Yesterday, we talked about the problem with money on a personal level. (Couples need to communicate and budget.)

Today, let's talk about money on a system-wide level.

Have you ever wondered why -- in this culture today -- money is growing tighter and tighter?

I know. I know. It's complicated and you don't like to think that deeply!

Nevertheless, if we're not a little aware, we're inevitably pawns and a poorer future will increasingly be dictated to us. Let me give you a hint of an explanation and a remedy to a piece of the problem.

Have you ever wondered why in this economy, there never, ever seems to be enough to go around?

Over the last twenty years in general and the last seven years in particular, there's been a subtle inflation combined with a deadening wage stagnation. (Things cost more and the average family has less to spend.)

There's also been a steady increase in the number and cost of helpful products that we "need" -- computers, cell phones, data plans, etc. (The new technologies are often very cool, but they're also very costly!)

Anyway, combine all of these factors and money is much tighter than in our parents’ generation.

So how do we handle the inequality of this lopsided supply and demand? (What we want and demand keeps swallowing our available money supply. So, yes, how do we handle this?) Most of us do it through a lie, through a short-term illusion. It's a temporary slight-of-hand. But in the end, who gets slighted? We do.

Most of us spend for today, and we don't save for tomorrow.

Reality: the economics stink. And it will get worse (when tomorrow inevitably comes and we have little to fall back on).

So what do you do?

It's the same answer as yesterday. I just needed to say it again because there's absolutely no short-cut to financial peace.

·       The key is communication.

·       It is mutual priority-setting (what do we really care about and need in life)... and then it is cooperative budget setting.

·       It is planning to save.

·       It is the spiritual trust to give generously.

·       It is refusing to borrow.

·       It is budgeting an allowance. (My family likes using cash, because when it's gone, it's gone.) Yes, it's important to make an allowance for fun ... but to do it cooperatively within your means.

Question: Yesterday I invited you to rate yourselves on how wisely you do each of these steps. Did you actually sit down to budget and prioritize together? Make a literal date. For an evening, it won't be near as much fun as dinner and a movie. For a lifetime, though, it will bring a clarity that will bring a deeper joy.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's rich interpersonally

and more comfortable monetarily

because he had and keeps having

these necessary conversations

(In fact, Mary Louise and I are

going on a retreat soon to

talk through the next ten years)