Today on MoneyLife

Chuck begins today remind listeners that he's called for a time of prayer and fasting because he believes that America needed God’s intervention to stop its current economic crisis.

No national leader has join us in calling on the Lord. The economy is getting worse and the amount of debt is getting beyond comprehension. The government’s total debt obligation is now 5 trillion dollars.

Companies are getting in line for bailouts from taxpayers. The original bailout plan has been changed by the Treasury Secretary. First, it was going to buy troubled mortgages; now it's going to bailout consumers with credit card debt, student loans, and auto loans.

The federal government is desperate to get the consumer borrowing and buying again. In response to this crisis, we’ve created the HHI Web site. Chuck says he hopes listeners will walk through this together with us on MoneyLife.

After the break, Chuck welcomes Scott Hasenbalg to the program. Scott is Executive Director of Shaohannah's Hope, an adoption funding ministry founded by recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman. Scott is also the national spokesman for Cry of the Orphan campaign.

Chuck says Crown is glad to be part of the Cry of the Orphan campaign again this year. God wants us to make money, manage it wisely, and use it to fulfill His purposes. Caring for widows and orphans is on God’s heart.

Scott says this is the third year for Cry of the Orphan campaign. Stewardship is a common theme this year. It pleases the Lord when we work together to speak up for orphans. The goal is to raise awareness about the needs of orphans.

Scott says the campaign is calling on individuals and churches to get involved. It began 5 years ago with a summit at FamilyLife’s Hope for Orphans ministry.

The need of orphans in the world is vast. There are many specific needs but the main one is to be loved. The root of problem often is the way money is handled, creating economic orphans.

In the U.S., parents often give up kids because they can’t handle the economic responsibility. Sin is the root cause, not God’s design. Here are specific actions needed:

• Prayer
• Adoption
• Financial assistance
• Mentoring kids in foster care
• Helping those that are adopting or fostering

Chuck is praying God will lead some of our listeners to get involved. See these key verses:

• James 1:27
• Psalm 68:5-6

After the second break, Chuck says God loves and cares for orphans. Guest Scott Hasenbalg adds that there are many things Christians can do beyond prayer. The Cry of the Orphan Web site has a recommendation tool to help guide you to what you can do.

If you’re not called to adopt, support those that are called. Encourage your church to get involved. You may want to take a mission trip to an orphanage. You can encourage pastors to highlight this topic in sermons at least once a year.

The Church is the largest distribution network in the world and it can be used to deliver God’s compassion to orphans. Scott shares some success stories.

Chuck says finances are a key factor in driving someone to an abortion and in moving forward with an adoption. He says it's sad finances are a hindrance to people who want to adopt. Scott says if someone wants to adopt but can’t afford it, they should seek assistance from Shoahannah’s Hope or other organizations, such as the Christian Alliance for Orphans. If managing finances is a problem, couples interested in adoption can seek help from a Crown Money Map Coach.

God owns it all and money shouldn’t stand in the way of caring for children. Scott encourages families to act in faith and take one step at a time.

In the last segment, Chuck gives some closing thoughts:

• If God’s put it on your heart to get involved, go to CryoftheOrphan.org for a list of ways you and your church can help
• Orphans are on God’s heart. He promises to bless those that minister to orphans
• Today is a tough economic time. Chuck says he's keeping up with economic news and believes things are going to get worse
• We must have an urgency get our houses in order to help ourselves and others like orphans
• Chuck encourages listeners to go to the HHI section on our Web site, which was created to provide help, hope, and insight. It has resources addressing specific needs
• In these last weeks of the year, finances become critically important for ministries like Crown
• We need listeners to pray and give to this work so it can go forward in helping people in need
• Please consider making a gift online, or by calling 1-800-722-1976

Funding an Adoption

Adoption offers a chance at a new beginning for thousands of children cared for by the state and private agencies.

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Reflecting God's Generous Love

From time to time in the Scriptures, we are reminded that generous giving began in the heart of God.

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The Need for a Spending Plan

Without a spending plan, it is impossible to know where your money goes each month and whether you will have available funds for the things you need.

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Ten Ways to Save Money

We need to make saving money and debt freedom top priorities in lives.

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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