Can Money Buy You Happiness?

Jeff Masters
8 Jun 2017
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Many say that money can’t buy happiness; nearly everyone wants to test that theory. Most people believe they would become happy if they only had more money; however, lottery winners provide telling case studies of what happens when people’s financial dreams come true. The stories of financial ruin, divorce, misery and even murder of those who win lotteries seems to be the norm. We still believe money will make us happy. Many argue, like Jimmy Stewart in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, when he asked the Angel Clarence if he had any money — the angel said: “we don’t […]

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Put that Tax Return to Good Use

Jeff Masters
1 Apr 2017
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So, what are you going to do with your tax refund? The average tax return is in the neighborhood of $3,000. Many people I meet with count on that refund to take a vacation, pay tuition or purchase something new. However, three out of 10 Americans (28 percent) expect to save or invest their tax refund, according to Bankrate’s new poll (’16). How you invest your windfall will be determined by how you plan for it . . . or neglect to plan. Here are some good ideas: 1. Build your emergency fund Without an emergency fund, just one surprise […]

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Is There Grace in Tithing?

Jeff Masters
8 Mar 2017
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Does the Bible teach that tithing (giving 10 percent of our income/increase) is the essential and enduring requirement for Christian giving? Christians through the years have supported this based on various scriptures. Reasoning that the Old Testament patriarchs like Abraham and Jacob gave tithes at certain times, then the practice must be God’s abiding standard. Since tithing appeared before the law, it must transcend the law. This argument, however, has many flaws, and after careful review of scripture, we discover that there is no formula or percentage for how much we ought to give. Giving is a matter of the […]

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Get Your Finances Right in 2017

Jeff Masters
26 Jan 2017
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It is good to have goals and plans financially for the New Year, but it is equally important to do the right things consistently and avoid doing the wrong things. It is critically important to get counsel and wisdom and avoid missing opportunities or blundering financially.  I don’t want “that experience that I can learn from”. Here is a short list of things to do right . . . and things to avoid doing.   Save your increases Our inclination is to get that item we want (not need) with our excess resources or windfalls of extra money. Be disciplined […]

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Watch Your Holiday Finances

Jeff Masters
6 Dec 2016
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  Christmas is the time of year to have fun while enjoying the holiday with family and friends. However, the magic can also be extinguished by the mad rush of stressful shopping, vacation planning and other obligations. It’s no wonder that the holiday season is actually one of the most stressful times, especially from a financial perspective. Smart spending and creating a Christmas budget can reduce the financial burden and alleviate some of that unwanted stress.  It’s way too easy to get caught up in the shopping mania of this season and find yourself in a freshly dug hole in […]

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Benevolence and Justice

Jeff Masters
2 Aug 2016
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How do you respond when you see the person walking the street between waiting cars with his sign stating: Will work for food… but he is seeking handouts? What are your thoughts towards the single mom or widow who comes to church to ask for financial aid? In Thessalonians 3:10 the early apostles did not want to be a burden to anyone, and they gave this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” But Matthew 5:42 tells us to “Give to anyone who asks you, and do not turn away.” Finally we have heard: “Don’t throw […]

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Women and Money

Jeff Masters
29 Jun 2016
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Women’s role in today’s family dynamics and finances is shifting greatly. By estimates, in the next five years private wealth is expected to grow to $22 trillion . . . and women will control as much as two-thirds (1). Like men, women want financial security and financial independence. But once those objectives are met, women want to derive greater meaning and value for themselves, for their families and for society at large. They want to apply their values with their financial resources. Most women with financial means have great interest in supporting charities and ministries. However, women battle multiple financial […]

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Teach Your Kids about Money

Jeff Masters
7 Jun 2016
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Most parents make exceptional efforts to train their kids in sports, academics and social activities not realizing the great effect of the neglect of early training in the disciplines of finances. A recent survey by TrueCredit.com found that about 20 percent of parents, nearly one in five, had never spoken with their kids between the ages of 4 and 18 about money basics. To raise money-smart kids, parents should start at a young age and regularly reinforce money lessons as children grow up. According to research from Cambridge University, money habits start to form by age seven. To neglect this […]

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Teach Your Kids about Money

Jeff Masters
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  Most parents make exceptional efforts to train their kids in sports, academics and social activities not realizing the great effect of the neglect of early training in the disciplines of finances. A recent survey by TrueCredit.com found that about 20 percent of parents, nearly one in five, had never spoken with their kids between the ages of 4 and 18 about money basics. To raise money-smart kids, parents should start at a young age and regularly reinforce money lessons as children grow up. According to research from Cambridge University, money habits start to form by age seven. To neglect […]

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Why Can’t I Save Anything?

Jeff Masters
3 May 2016
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For years now, Americans have been among the world’s worst savers. This is most astonishing since we live in one of the most prosperous nations in the world. The 2014 Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that Americans on average saved only 3.8 percent of their disposable income. Compare this to the 13.3 percent saved annually back in 1971 . . . what are we doing? The average Chinese household saved 50 percent of its disposable income last year and in India over 30 Percent. Why is there such an enormous discrepancy and why are Americans so consumptive? Proverbs 21:17 says, […]

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