Today on MoneyLife

To begin today's broadcast, MoneyLife host Chuck Bentley tells listeners there are three possible economic scenarios:

• V-shaped, in which the economy goes down steeply, turns around, and goes back up steeply (not likely)
• U-shaped, economy is down for about two years and then slowly climbs back (more likely)
• L-shaped, steep decline, stays down for about 10 years (possible)

Today Chuck will tell you how to go on offense to make more money and improve your income. These are very practical things you can do.

After the break, Chuck says you can expect unemployment to grow during this downturn and there could be a significant number of people out of work. Don’t expect things to get better in 2009.

Here's advice for those looking for a job:

• Treat your search for employment like a job, get up everyday and work on it fully
• Prospect, research, make appointments
• Use technology to your advantage, network with family, friends, church, neighbors
• Take a career assessment such as Career Direct
• Don’t get discouraged, there is always going to be growth in some businesses

Chuck cites a recent CareerBuilders.com article in and says there are job opportunities for people who want to earn additional income without getting additional education:

• Receptionist ($11/hour)
• Child care worker ($8.50/hour)
• Fitness trainers/aerobic instructor ($13/hour)
• Demonstrators/product promoters ($10.65/hour)

After the break, Chuck continues with the list of job opportunities:

• Clerical Library Assistants ($10.40/hour)
• Personal and Home Care Aides ($8.54/hour)

Chuck says many great businesses have been started in a slow economy. You have a good chance of succeeding with a new business because there is less competition.

A job is exchanging your time for a secure wage, while starting a business is exchanging your time for an unsecure wage but one that could reward much greater than a job. Starting a business requires flexibility and self-discipline.

In the final segment, Chuck offers these thoughts:

• It's appropriate to look for ways to make more money if you have a need
• Be careful not to seek more money just to have more things of this world
• Your goal should be serving the Lord and advancing His kingdom
• If your love is for money, you will never have enough to satisfy you
• The Bible does encourage us to take action to make money
• God endorses moonlighting, trying things outside your primary job
• Money is only a resource for fulfilling God’s purposes for your life
• Money can be a form of bondage that keeps you from fulfilling God’s purposes for your life (if you don’t have enough, or too much)
• Money is neutral, but you must keep your focus on the Lord and not on money

Recommended verses:

• Matthew 6:33
• Ecclesiastes 5:10
• Ecclesiastes 11:4
• Ecclesiastes 11:6

Employment

More than 80 percent of Americans are discontent with their jobs – most have no consistent sense of fulfillment.

• Read More

Choosing the Right Vocation

In choosing a vocation, Christians must weigh their priorities very carefully. When people are out of God’s priorities, they are out of His will.

• Read More

Working Smart

Being successful is not about how hard you work – it’s about how smart you work.

• Read More

Reshaping the Work World

Two key characteristics describe workers who should be able to thrive in the rapidly changing work world: focus and versatility.

• Read More

Other Resources:

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