Money Matters Online

The varied patterns of snowflakes, the rich colors of distant nebulae and galaxies, and the one million species of insects are just a few reminders of our Lord’s amazing creativity.

But did you know that you’re an example of that creativity as well?

You are unique among everyone else in this world, and as such, God has a purpose for you!

The life of David, one of the most well-known individuals in the Bible, illustrates this truth.

Acts 13:36 tells us that David “served God’s will and purpose and counsel in his own generation” (AMP).

And Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV).

Our Lord created each of us for a particular job in this world, and He endowed us with the proper skills, aptitudes, and desires to accomplish the work to which we are called.

This work may involve full-time Christian service or employment in the secular marketplace.

Wiring versus mom and dad’s ambition

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz is one of the most successful athletes in major league baseball.

Both of his parents were musicians, and when he was a child, they wanted him to follow in their footsteps.

However, when they saw how much he loved baseball, they set aside their desires and helped him follow his dream.

John’s dad spent hundreds of hours practicing baseball with his son, even though he didn’t know very much about the game.

Similarly, your own child may be wired for a field in which you have little or no interest.

Can you allow your child to pursue the field for which he or she is gifted?

In the past, children usually didn’t have this opportunity. Occupations were handed down from generation to generation, and children were trained to take over the family business.

You have to wonder how many people in those days actually wanted to do the work of their parents and grandparents.

Many of them probably were frustrated because their abilities and desires were better suited for another purpose.

We will frustrate our children if we try to push them into

our own careers,
jobs we consider prestigious, and/or
high-paying jobs that make us feel secure about their futures.

Even if your children are young, you may have already seen evidence of the gifts and talents God has given them.

Help them develop those gifts and talents and dedicate their lives and careers to the Lord.

Job satisfaction does matter

According to a Conference Board survey conducted in August 2004, one-half of Americans are dissatisfied with their jobs. Even among the other half who reported being satisfied, only 14 percent said they were “very satisfied.”

When you consider that total U.S. employment in June was 146 million, you realize there are a lot of unhappy people in the workplace.

In Britain, the Manchester Business School and Lancaster University studied 250,000 employees and found that job satisfaction critically influences employees’ health and that dissatisfaction at work puts mental health at risk.

“Those with low job satisfaction are most likely to experience emotional burn-out, have reduced self-esteem and raised anxiety and depression,” Lancaster University reported.

If you’re a teenager, people may be encouraging you to pursue majors that will prepare you for the highest-paying fields.

Earning more will allow you to build a bigger house and drive a more expensive car. However, your ability to enjoy that car will be diminished if it’s taking you to a job you hate. And your house won’t be as enjoyable if you’re dreading the next day’s work.

If you’re already in the workplace, I encourage you to find the career that suits the uniqueness with which God has gifted you.

That career may not be as prestigious as the one you currently have, but according to the Bible, there is equal dignity in all types of work. Scripture does not elevate any calling above another.

Crown has developed a resource called Career Direct® to help you find the best match for your personality, interests, skills, and values.

It can show you the college major that suits your needs or the direction you should go if you need to make a career change.

College costs: Be ready

If you have young children, make a commitment to save for their college educations. This process begins at Destination 4 on the Crown Money Map™, and it’s a goal you should take seriously.

Options for college saving include the following.

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts will allow you to save $2,000 per child each year. The money can be used tax-free to cover the cost of college expenses.
The Roth IRA lets you withdraw money for college expenses without having to pay income tax or the usual 10-percent penalty for early withdrawal.
State 529 savings programs and prepaid tuition programs give you two other options. The first offers tax-free earnings and withdrawals. The second lets you lock into the tuition price during the year you enroll.

Not setting aside money for college can place a financial burden on you and your child, but with proper planning the outcome can be very different.

That’s why we’ve provided two college planning articles in this issue of Money Matters, and I encourage you to take advantage of the experience and insight they provide.

Find your destiny

Whether you’re in the college planning stages or you’re already in a career, I hope you have a strong sense of God’s calling for you life.

If not, please consider taking advantage of Crown’s Career Direct® assessment.

Make a conscience effort to discover God’s calling, and in the meantime, develop your character and grow closer to Christ.

Spend daily time in prayer and in the Scriptures and allow Him to change you into the person He wants you to be.

In addition, be faithful where you are now. If you are faithful with today’s responsibilities, the Lord knows He can trust you with greater responsibilities (Luke 16:10).

Finally, work to get out of debt, give generously, and save consistently so you can be free to respond to God’s calling for your life.

* * * CONFERENCE BOARD SURVEY

August 2004

40 percent of workers feel disconnected from their employers.
Two out of every 3 workers do not feel motivated to drive their employer’s business goals and objectives.
Twenty-five percent of employees are just “showing up to collect a paycheck.”

August 2004 results compared to previous survey in 1995

Workers 35-44 accounted for the largest decline in overall job satisfaction, from 60.9% to 49.2%.
Workers 45-54 accounted for the second largest decline. Their satisfaction level dropped from 57.3% to 47.7%.
Workers 65 and over had the smallest decline. Their overall job satisfaction fell from 60.8% to 58.0%.

The survey involved 5,000 U.S. households and was conducted for the Conference Board by TNS, a market information company.



					August 2007
		Newsletter Home Grab News Feed Forward Article
		Know where you’re going in college, career The varied patterns of snowflakes, the rich colors of distant nebulae and galaxies, and the one million species of insects are just a few reminders of our Lord’s amazing creativity. But did you know that you’re an example of that creativity as well? You are unique among everyone else in this world, and as such, God has a purpose for you! The life of David, one of the most well-known individuals in the Bible, illustrates this truth. Acts 13:36 tells us that David “served God’s will and purpose and counsel in his own generation” (AMP). And Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV). Our Lord created each of us for a particular job in this world, and He endowed us with the proper skills, aptitudes, and desires to accomplish the work to which we are called. This work may involve full-time Christian service or employment in the secular marketplace. Wiring versus mom and dad’s ambition Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz is one of the most successful athletes in major league baseball. Both of his parents were musicians, and when he was a child, they wanted him to follow in their footsteps. However, when they saw how much he loved baseball, they set aside their desires and helped him follow his dream. John’s dad spent hundreds of hours practicing baseball with his son, even though he didn’t know very much about the game. Similarly, your own child may be wired for a field in which you have little or no interest. Can you allow your child to pursue the field for which he or she is gifted? In the past, children usually didn’t have this opportunity. Occupations were handed down from generation to generation, and children were trained to take over the family business. You have to wonder how many people in those days actually wanted to do the work of their parents and grandparents. Many of them probably were frustrated because their abilities and desires were better suited for another purpose. We will frustrate our children if we try to push them into our own careers, jobs we consider prestigious, and/or high-paying jobs that make us feel secure about their futures. Even if your children are young, you may have already seen evidence of the gifts and talents God has given them. Help them develop those gifts and talents and dedicate their lives and careers to the Lord. Job satisfaction does matter According to a Conference Board survey conducted in August 2004, one-half of Americans are dissatisfied with their jobs. Even among the other half who reported being satisfied, only 14 percent said they were “very satisfied.” When you consider that total U.S. employment in June was 146 million, you realize there are a lot of unhappy people in the workplace. In Britain, the Manchester Business School and Lancaster University studied 250,000 employees and found that job satisfaction critically influences employees’ health and that dissatisfaction at work puts mental health at risk. “Those with low job satisfaction are most likely to experience emotional burn-out, have reduced self-esteem and raised anxiety and depression,” Lancaster University reported. If you’re a teenager, people may be encouraging you to pursue majors that will prepare you for the highest-paying fields. Earning more will allow you to build a bigger house and drive a more expensive car. However, your ability to enjoy that car will be diminished if it’s taking you to a job you hate. And your house won’t be as enjoyable if you’re dreading the next day’s work. If you’re already in the workplace, I encourage you to find the career that suits the uniqueness with which God has gifted you. That career may not be as prestigious as the one you currently have, but according to the Bible, there is equal dignity in all types of work. Scripture does not elevate any calling above another. Crown has developed a resource called Career Direct® to help you find the best match for your personality, interests, skills, and values. It can show you the college major that suits your needs or the direction you should go if you need to make a career change. College costs: Be ready If you have young children, make a commitment to save for their college educations. This process begins at Destination 4 on the Crown Money Map™, and it’s a goal you should take seriously. Options for college saving include the following. Coverdell Education Savings Accounts will allow you to save $2,000 per child each year. The money can be used tax-free to cover the cost of college expenses. The Roth IRA lets you withdraw money for college expenses without having to pay income tax or the usual 10-percent penalty for early withdrawal. State 529 savings programs and prepaid tuition programs give you two other options. The first offers tax-free earnings and withdrawals. The second lets you lock into the tuition price during the year you enroll. Not setting aside money for college can place a financial burden on you and your child, but with proper planning the outcome can be very different. That’s why we’ve provided two college planning articles in this issue of Money Matters, and I encourage you to take advantage of the experience and insight they provide. Find your destiny Whether you’re in the college planning stages or you’re already in a career, I hope you have a strong sense of God’s calling for you life. If not, please consider taking advantage of Crown’s Career Direct® assessment. Make a conscience effort to discover God’s calling, and in the meantime, develop your character and grow closer to Christ. Spend daily time in prayer and in the Scriptures and allow Him to change you into the person He wants you to be. In addition, be faithful where you are now. If you are faithful with today’s responsibilities, the Lord knows He can trust you with greater responsibilities (Luke 16:10). Finally, work to get out of debt, give generously, and save consistently so you can be free to respond to God’s calling for your life. * * * CONFERENCE BOARD SURVEY August 2004 40 percent of workers feel disconnected from their employers. Two out of every 3 workers do not feel motivated to drive their employer’s business goals and objectives. Twenty-five percent of employees are just “showing up to collect a paycheck.” August 2004 results compared to previous survey in 1995 Workers 35-44 accounted for the largest decline in overall job satisfaction, from 60.9% to 49.2%. Workers 45-54 accounted for the second largest decline. Their satisfaction level dropped from 57.3% to 47.7%. Workers 65 and over had the smallest decline. Their overall job satisfaction fell from 60.8% to 58.0%. The survey involved 5,000 U.S. households and was conducted for the Conference Board by TNS, a market information company. ©2007 Crown Financial Ministries Privacy Policy