Where Is Their Wealth Going?
A young pastor recently said to me, “Two-thirds of our church’s members are 65 years and older. What I want to know is this: Once they’re gone, where is all their wealth going?”
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A young pastor recently said to me, “Two-thirds of our church’s members are 65 years and older. What I want to know is this: Once they’re gone, where is all their wealth going?”
Even in their will, Rich and Ann Meyer were careful to reflect giving as a priority.
“Come again, Jesus? You’re pushing swag? To influence people? A bit unseemly, wouldn’t you say?”
What if we could change the narrative from "gotta" give to "get to" give?
I never wanted to know how much church members were giving; I didn't think it was any of my business. That assumption was a mistake.
Let’s be clear, the point Jesus is making is not to live in abject poverty. Instead, it’s to trust God for your security and future, more than anything or anyone else.
My budget app snobbery provided fresh perspective on the simplicity of a personal budget.
On Ash Wednesday I decided to give up my afternoon cup of coffee and thus began the longest Lenten season of my life.
Faith Community CRC in Beaver Dam, WI has always found meaningful and creative ways to connect to their community in mission. Recently this required the church to decide whether their next pastor would be full-time.
It may already be too late. This creep is sneaky. Everyone is vulnerable, regardless of age, class, gender or race. I’m talking about “lifestyle creep.” It’s a thing—a very real thing.
No, my actual thoughts aren’t on fire. Instead, here are my thoughts on the FIRE (Financial Independence Retiring Early) movement that’s picking up steam and making headlines.
For better or for worse, what’s done now will tell your story later. Will your legacy reflect your Kingdom calling. . . or will it be fit for the dogs?
“Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” You know these words because you've felt them. Overwhelmed and without recourse, you've remained open to the possibilities of what only God can do.
When it comes to generous giving, it's not "either-or" but "both-and." It's not just "my family" but "my family" and "my neighbor."
Connect the dots is magical—at least for someone like me, who barely managed a passing grade in high school art class! In my work this past year, I've been connecting the dots between churches and Barnabas Foundation.
Lottery records will keep shattering. Dreams about how to spend untold millions will continue to be spun by throngs. Does that mean the Church can’t grow believers who know better?
In the past year since becoming Barnabas Foundation’s church communications director, I’ve realized many churches miss something critical that other Christian not-for-profits get. Let me share the secret.
Countless voices tell our children money makes the world go round. Parents must speak louder and say otherwise.
Few church members will receive fame and accolades the way Aretha Franklin did during her lifetime. But every believer, no matter how meager their circumstances, can learn a valuable lesson from her about important conversations with fellow believers and loved ones.
A fascinating classroom experiment at the University of Maryland illustrates an important truth. Even a handful of saints giving sacrificially can make a really big difference.
Lecturing my millennial friend on the priorities of giving won't accomplish much. Truth is, he has a lot more to say about how and when church ministry will be paid for than I do.
The uncomfortable truth is that something is missing if our prayers and serving and witnessing aren’t coupled with generous giving.
Jesus' agenda is radical because it orients us to God in the first place so that our living is shaped by God's priorities, instead of our own.