Today on MoneyLife

In the opening segment, Chuck discusses a recent Wall Street Journal article about Peter Zhao, a Chinese Communist Party member and advisor to China's ruling Central Committee.

Surprisingly, Mr. Zhao advocates that China can never experience a true market economy without adopting Christian ethics. He believes the backbone of the U.S. economy is its moral foundation, which unifies around common values and trust. Corruption kills an economy.

Mr. Zhao recognized that Christians have a continuous creative and innovative spirit. He became a Christian through his study of what makes the U.S. economy so great.

In the second segment, Chuck teaches on what happens when the "financial wheels" come off:

• The suicide rate increases during economic uncertainty
• Men are more likely to commit suicide because of an economic failure

Chuck shares an email from a listener who was so desperate for help that he was contemplating suicide. Chuck responded to the e-mail and has stayed in touch with the listener.

Chuck brings up the theme of "financially assisted" suicide. He says one of the main forces behind Satan getting someone to consider suicide is finances. Females attempt suicide more than men, but men, who often use violent means, are more successful than women.

Suicide rates are higher among white males than any other group. Suicide is higher from age 20 on, peaks in the 40’s and 50s, but then spikes again for men over 75.

Financial factors that contribute to suicide:

• retirement
• unemployment
• divorce
• empty nest

There is an epidemic of suicide among men in India. Farmers there are suffering from severe drought and are killing themselves because of debt.

We can stop Satan from convincing someone to commit suicide if that person knows the truth. Chuck says people can write to him directly at ChuckBentley@crown.org.

In the third segment, Chuck continues teaching on financially assisted suicide. He says mammon refers to an evil spirit, ssomething that gets a hold of you.

The deception of money choked out the seed in the Parable of the Sower. When a man’s finances are being destroyed, it’s a spiritual battle for his soul. Satan can’t kill a believer, but he uses finances to deceive the believer into doing it to himself.

If we don’t recognize that God owns everything, we tend to define ourselves by the money and possessions we have. Jesus saw this in the rich young ruler. Jesus wanted him to change his identity from a rich man to a follower of Christ.

Satan wants you to identify yourself with the things of this world instead of the things of God. When a man goes through economic trouble, such as losing his job, it’s real crisis because his identity is threatened.

We must place our identity in God, Who is our only real security. When a man is in this battle, he usually keeps it private. Warning signs of suicide include:

• giving away prize possessions
• abrupt changes in eating and sleeping habits
• loss of interest in things once enjoyed
• negative comments about self
• lack of concern for personal safety
• preoccupation with death or tragedy
• mention of suicide

When someone around you is exhibiting any of these warning signs, get involved in the person's life and be available for God to use you.

Bible verses to study:

• Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
  
  
• Matthew 13:7, "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants."
  
  
• Matthew 13:22, "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful."
  
  
• Luke 18:18-23, "A certain ruler asked him, 'Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'

  'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good—except God alone.You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'

  'All these I have kept since I was a boy,' he said.

  When Jesus heard this, he said to him, 'You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'

  When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth."

Chuck gives his closing thoughts in the fourth and final segment:

• Suicide rate is highest on Monday, lowest on Saturday
• Someone who has lost his job and is home while others work feels depressed
• Suicide rates were low during both world wars because people were active and part of a community with a common cause
• If someone you know shows signs of suicide, get involved, take the person to church, demonstrate God's grace, let them know you're available to talk, to help

Don’t try to solve the problem with money. The problem is spiritual; it is a need for Christ in our life.

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Other Resources:

• ABCs of Money Package
• Career Direct
• God's Pinciples for Operating a Business
• Business By the Book
• Crown Mvelopes