Renting vs. buying
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--The cost of housing is probably the greatest expense for most Americans. In searching for housing, most of us have had to decide whether to buy or to rent, and the choice usually depends on how much you can afford to spend.
Funding a college education
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--The Bible tells us that "sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, children, a reward," (Psalm 127:3). Indeed, children are a reward, a great blessing from the Lord. However, they aren't cheap, and one of the most expensive aspects of raising children is their college education.
Breaking the law during church?
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--Many churches break the law on a weekly basis, making illegal copies of music. Some vague thought process assumes that, "as long as it's for the Lord's work, it should be OK." Nothing could be further from the truth.
Surviving a job loss
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--Job loss ranks high as a stress-maker. Losing a job is emotionally upsetting. Anger may surface, because this major life-change often leaves a person feeling totally out of control.
Saving or hoarding?
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--Once again, Americans are spending everything they make -- and then some. The U.S. Commerce Department reports that the 2006 savings rate was a negative 1 percent. This means that Americans either dipped into their savings or borrowed to finance purchases.
FIRST-PERSON: E-filing for many happy returns
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--Filing your taxes may not make your top 10 list of fun ways to pass time, but tax season is an unavoidable annual ritual -- like spring cleaning and registering your car.
FIRST-PERSON: What’s so important about a will?
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--Most people recognize the need to have a will, but they never get around to having one written. If they died today they would leave the distribution of their assets to the state. This represents poor stewardship. Solomon said, “A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3).
FIRST-PERSON: Tried to outgive God lately?
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--Serving God probably will not lead to worldwide fame, writing best-sellers, or ministering to hundreds in foreign lands, for the majority of Christians. But there is hardly a Christian who cannot give. And when that giving is done in love, it demonstrates the greatest sacrifice ever made for mankind -- the death of Jesus on the cross.
FIRST-PERSON: What Christmas is all about
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--Christmas is celebrated today more as a sales frenzy than as the most important birth in history. Unfortunately, Christians are susceptible to this commercial mentality, and too many have compromised the message of giving. Often, we give useless gifts at Christmas, because it’s expected of us, and we feel guilty if we don’t. And the closer we get to Christmas, the pressure to give these unnecessary gifts builds and we feel depressed and unworthy if we can’t give.
FIRST-PERSON: Ways to save money
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--The savings rate in 2005 was a shocking negative percentage. Before 2005, this had happened only during the years of 1932 and 1933. But wait -- that was the Great Depression, a time of enormous business failures and job losses. Aren’t we talking about 2005? You know, when we bought bigger and better SUVs. So, what does a negative savings rate indicate? It means that Americans were spending all of their disposable income, borrowing and then getting money out of their savings -- if they had any. Not a good sign.
