Money is a huge motivator. Sometimes for good, often times for not. As a Christian, there may be times when we need to stand up for what we believe, and the results could bring negative financial consequences upon us or others. An example can be found in Acts chapter 19. Paul is preaching in a city named Ephesus and some of the people are not happy:

²³ About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. ²⁴ A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. ²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. ²⁶ And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. ²⁷ There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

These men were in danger of losing their business and suffering a major financial setback. And this motivates them to oppose Paul and Christianity. I have had this happen to me before where a  biblical and ethical stand was met with opposition from those higher up in the company because the right decision would cost more money.

What will you do when confronted with a choice between money and your values?

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I have performed two funerals for families in the past two weeks. Always a hard event and very emotional. One thing that can help during this time is if the deceased has preplanned his funeral and express their wishes and desires. This helps to ease the burden on the family. I have seen the difficulty and hardship on families as they try to plan a funeral and make big financial decisions all while under stress and grief.

Now I am not saying that you should pre-pay for your funeral, but you can pre-plan, or as some individuals in the  funeral business call it “pre-need”.  You can have this document left with your other important documents (will, medical instructions, etc.), with a lawyer or trusted family member, or you can even have it on file with the funeral home if you know which business you would like to perform this service for you.

Some basic things you can include:

• Cremation or burial (and location of burial or ashes)

• Open or closed casket (even if cremated—sometimes cremation takes place after a viewing service and you just rent a casket)

• Type of urn or casket (how much do you want them to spend?)

• Who to perform the service

• Service held at a Church or a Funeral Home

• Scripture or poetry or songs to be sung

• Donation of organs, etc. (this should also be on other documents that you leave behind)

• Tombstone? Inscription? Type of burial vault?

There are other things you can add but this list would be a start. Not something we like to think about, but something that will be helpful, appreciated, and one more way to show love toward your family and friends.

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In the past two weeks I have performed two funerals for families. Funerals are a time to reflect and think. One of the questions that popped into my mind is – “How do I want to be remembered?”

In the book of Acts chapter nine there is a story about a woman named Tabitha, who just very recently passed away (they were still preparing the body for burial). The first thing that is said of her is that she “was always doing good and helping the poor.” What a testimony! When the friends of Tabitha heard that Peter was in the area, they urged him to come and see her (remember she is dead!). Once there, he went up to see her and there was much crying over Tabitha – the windows were showing all the things that Tabitha had made for them, and Peter could see what a positive impact this person had made on the lives of others.

That is how I would like to be remembered. Generous with my time, my possessions, and doing good and helping others. But to be remembered like that, I have to live like that.

What are we doing today that will be remembered by others? Are we building the reputation that we want for when we are gone?

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I don’t know everything. Now I know that doesn’t surprise anyone. But I admit there are times, and maybe you do this too, where I act as if I do. Maybe someone is talking about a subject I know nothing about, but I pretend I do – I smile, nod my head, maybe even say a word or two – because I do not want to appear stupid. And yet that is the stupid thing to do!

In the book of Acts, chapter 9, there is a story about a man I wish I could be more like. We never learn his name, just that he is an important Ethiopian official in charge of all the treasury of the country. A pretty powerful guy! And yet he was humble enough, and smart enough, when asked a question about what he was reading to answer “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” He then invites Phillip, a man of God, up into his chariot to teach him about what he is reading.

I wish I was more like him. If I don’t know something, then just ask! I hope to do more of that this year. And if I can do that, then maybe I will get smarter instead of just pretending to hide my ignorance!

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“That’s not fair!” –if you are a parent, then you probably have heard this more times than you care to remember. A lot of times we end up saying things like “that’s too bad!” or “who said life was fair?” But there are times in life when things are not fair and we should take time to make things right.

In the sixth chapter of the book of Acts, things were not fair. The Greek Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews saying that their widows were being overlooked in the distribution of food. Things were not fair, and people were being hurt. Instead of brushing it off, the Apostles thought and prayed about it and came up with a solution to make things fair. They chose seven men full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.

The result? Not only was the problem resolved, but the word of God spread and they were looked upon favorably. Sometimes it pays to make things fair!

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We all like to be well thought of. To have a good reputation. If we have enough money, we can even “help” our reputation along with donations—and get scholarships, buildings, even park benches with plaques at Ocean City NJ with our names on it! Okay, so the last item might not impress you, but people do try to impress others with their generosity.

One example from the Bible that did not end too well is the story of Ananias and Sapphira found in Acts chapter 5. They did a good thing. They sold some land and gave some of the proceeds to the apostles/disciples. Then they did a bad thing. They tried to make their gift and themselves look better than it really was. So they lied and said that they gave everything they received from the sale of the land to them, when in fact they had kept some of it for themselves.

Now it wasn’t wrong that they kept some of the money for themselves. What was wrong was that they lied about their gift. In the end, they were found out, their reputation was ruined, and they died.

How is your financial reputation? Is it everything that others think it is? Or have we also hid some things? Maybe it’s time to be honest with ourselves and others.

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Happy New Year!

From Psalm 90 verse 12: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. May you and your loved ones have a wonderful year—both financially and spiritually prosperous!

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Today’s Sunday Thought is from Luke chapter 2:

¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas!

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It is easy to focus on what we do not have. One of the times I think about this when I walk past a Salvation Army Kettle and I have nothing to put in. A good reminder for me to focus on what I can give is found in a story in Acts chapter 3. The Apostle Peter is going up to the temple. A man crippled from birth is begging for money, and when he sees Peter he asks him for money. Peter replies to this man—

 “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Peter could not give the man what he asked for—money. But he could give him something even better. Maybe I do not have all the money I want to give to charities, but I can give something even more important – my time or talents. And that is something worth focusing on.

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“You need to learn to share!”—how many times have I heard myself saying that to my children? And how many times do I need to hear that myself?  If I am honest, I am not always willing to share my things with others. In the Book of Acts in chapter 2 is an amazing statement:

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”

They were willing to share anything they owned with one another, treating their materials as if everyone owned them, not just themselves. And they were willing to sell their possessions and goods so that they could give to others who had needs.

Am I willing to treat everything I own as if others also owned them, willing to lend things out whenever anyone asks? And am I willing to sell my possessions so that others can have their needs met?

 

In this season of giving, this is an area that I have to grow in. I hold onto my possessions a little too tightly. I need to open my hand and not cling so tightly. How about you?

Hi there - could you help spread the word about A Penny Saved? We rely on word of mouth to get new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would truly appreciate it. Sunday Thought is a post from: A Penny Saved, the best darn personal finance blog around.