Today on MoneyLife

As today's program begins, Chuck tells listeners that his pastor listens to the program and occasionally uses some of what he hears in his sermons.

Chuck says he recently heard a sermon from his pastor about The Three Little Pigs that inspired him, so he reread the fairy tale and thought about financial lessons that could be learned from it.

Chuck will teach on those lessons today. Co-host Dave Ball gives an overview of the fairy tale. Chuck says you’ll see yourself in the story and learn a financial lesson you can apply to your life.

Everyone has heard the story of the Three Little Pigs. You may not have realized that it has financial implications.

The first pig chose the easiest and cheapest material for building his house--straw. His motive was to get it done as quickly as possible so he could start having a good time. He wanted the appearance of a home without having to do a lot of work. The first pig's thinking short-term instead of long-term. He wasn't concerned about the strength of his house or its structural integrity.

Many people build a financial house of straw. They have no motivation to work hard; they don’t plan; they set no goals and have no purpose. They totally disregard God’s Word, wanting instead to just have a good time.

Someone living in a house of straw has no financial margin, and with no margin, all it takes is a little wind (emergency), and your house will blow away. Chuck shares examples of real people he’s known who lived in houses of straw. A third of Americans live in houses of straw.

The second pig built his house with sticks. Wood is stronger than hay and looks like it will last longer. The material costs a little more and construction took a little more effort. This is better than the house of straw but still not strong enough to meet every calamity. It's not as good as it could be.

In the story, a house of sticks looked better on the outside but it gave a false sense of security. It's foundation wasn't any stronger than the straw house. A stronger wind will knock it down.

Families with two incomes can be like the second pig in the house of sticks. They have a small margin because of the dual income, but when one spouse loses a job, the margin is gone. They have money invested in retirement but no reserve savings to access in an emergency. They may have an adjustable rate mortgage that’s about to reset, yet they're living as if there is no tomorrow. They aren't really prepared for emergencies and are lukewarm on applying God’s financial principles.

The third pig built his house with brick, the most expensive material and the one that requires more skilled labor for construction.

This required planning and saving. The two other pigs made fun of this one for what he was doing. They played while he worked, but the house of brick was safer.

The person who lives in a house of brick is one who believes God’s Word and applies its truths.

The third pig wanted to be protected from the enemy so he demonstrated wisdom and built a strong house through diligent work.

The wolf couldn’t get in no matter how hard he tried to blow down the brick house.

When that failed, the wolf to trick the pig to come outside the brick house. The pig saw through the deception and wouldn’t leave the security of his home. That’s a person who knows God’s truth and holds to it.

The wolf tried to go inside through the chimney. The pig was ready for that attack and able to defeat him. God has raised multiple people up throughout history to help others be prepared for attacks from the enemy by building a strong financial house.

Chuck uses Joseph as an example. God sent Joseph ahead of his brothers to establish a strong financial house that was prepared for the famine. God used him to save his brothers and others. God wants us to purposefully build a strong financial house, not to be prideful about but to fulfill God’s purpose of protecting others.

There’s joy in being used to help others. God uses people who are wise and obedient to Him. Be wise, take the time the time to plan, and be diligent to prepare a safe place that God can use to help others and give you joy.

The wolf in your life could be unemployment, poverty, or depression. Chuck points out that the original version of the story is different than the Disney version. The original was politically incorrect, because the wolf ate the pigs and the last pig ate the wolf.

There's a lesson to be learned from that harsher version. Sometimes in this world, there aren’t always happy endings. Our troubles have severe consequences. Sometimes there isn’t a safety net. Don’t presume you’ll be bailed out by others. Build your financial house on the solid rock, the truth of Jesus Christ. Relevant verses:

• Proverbs 21:5
• Proverbs 12:24
• Proverbs 13:4

In the final segment, Chuck says it's interesting how a fairy tale could teach us financial lessons. He challenges you to iIdentify yourself in the story. Is your financial house made of straw, wood, or brick?

The Enemy will attack all. There's a need to be in the strongest house possible, to move in that direction if you aren’t there already. You’re either going to be a house that will be destroyed by the Enemy or you’ll be in a house that God can use to bless others.

For God to use you and bless you, you’ve got to choose to be prepared, make a plan, get your finances in order, and allow God to fulfill His purposes for your life. God wants us use the resources He’s given us and use them wisely. Be diligent, make a plan, be prepared for the Enemy’s attacks, don’t get deceived, build a strong foundation based on trusting God, and look to help others.

God wants to use us right now. Wolves are at the door for many people around you. People are scared and hurt. You can help by ministering to them and sharing God’s truth.

Chuck shares the example of Barnabas selling his resources to help others. That’s why money is given to us. Chuck says he hopes you’ve been inspired and see that you can be one that God can use to help others. One practical way to help someone move from a straw or stick house to a brick house is to give them a Crown Money Map.

Crisis-proof Your Budget

In some categories of a budget, changes can be made to save money. This money can be moved to other budget categories that need extra funding.

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Making Financial Decisions

Become sensitive to God’s direction concerning personal finances by becoming familiar with His directives and leadership procedures.

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Symptoms of Financial problems

With consistent teaching and discipline it would take less than a generation to break Christians’ financial bondage and free them to fund the work of the Lord.

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Setting Goals

Success goals that are set to soothe our fears or feed our egos are doomed to failure. Be certain that goals are compatible with God’s Word.

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Other Resources:

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