I have four sons who have all attended, or are attending, college. Higher education is expensive!!
College may not be for everyone, but unfortunately, most Americans have taken on debt to pay for school and you may be one of those with outstanding loans. In 2016, the average student graduated owing more than $37,000. This kind of burden is not the way you want to start your career or next chapter in life!
There are many options to get a college degree now with online courses, community college, and scholarship programs. But do you want to know the best way to save money in college? Understanding God’s unique design for you. Getting good grades could save you thousands, but knowing and embracing the purpose God has for your life is invaluable.
Jeremiah 29 reminds us that God has a good plan for our lives and that we must seek after Him always. Psalm 139 tells us of the wonder and creation that each of us are and that God knows us before we were even born.
If the God of the universe can look at you and know every hair on your head, then He can also give you direction when deciding on a course of education or career path. Ask for wisdom to know what options you should consider for school – maybe community college and living at home for two years is what good stewardship looks like for you. Maybe God has designed you to enter the workforce immediately after high school. You may want to start with an internship to learn on-the-job skills as you pursue an associate’s degree.
Whatever it is that God has designed you to do, commit to it wholeheartedly. Seek wise counsel from others, and pray for discernment to know what steps to take. Crown’s Career Direct assessment is also a great way to understand yourself and your purpose better. It looks at your personality, interests, skills, and values to help you understand how God designed you.
Have you ever failed? I mean, really failed?
You know, that sickening feeling when you realize you’ve missed the mark, made a huge mistake, or gone just a little too far? No wonder it’s one of our greatest fears.
I’ve certainly failed. My biggest financial failure was becomming successful in the eyes of the world and a failure as a steward of what God had given me. I got so distracted by my own goals and achievements that I sought after the wrong things – I accumulated worldly wealth instead of true Kingdom riches.
But God isn’t unaware of our mistakes. In fact, 2 Corinthians 12 tells us that in our weaknesses and mess-ups, He’s made even greater. 
So don’t give up.
Repentance is part of learning from your mistakes.
Come humbly before God to confess your failures and surrender your future. He’s slow to anger and abounding in love – God can always redeem your mistakes for His purpose.
If you have this attitude, you may be able to avoid messing up in the first place! Psalm 37 tells us, “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.”
If you’re making short- or long-term goals, pray about them and commit them to the Lord. Proverbs says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
No matter what your failure is, it’s never so bad that God can’t redeem it.
Ask Him to reveal what He wants you to achieve. Abide in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart. Crown’s online Money Life Personal Finance helps you connect with what God’s Word says about your finances, career, and life. This 7-week study is a great way for you to dive deeper into your relationship with God as you transform your finances.
Originally posted on the Christian Post on May 12
To learn Biblical answers to your financial questions, you can #AskChuck @AskCrown your questions by clicking here. Questions used may be lightly edited for length or clarity.
Dear Chuck,
I’m new to my job and learning to navigate the office politics. I get that you can’t talk to a boss disrespectfully, but I can see that there is a lot more to getting along at work than just agreeing with my supervisor or not talking about him behind his back. Do you have some advice on what to say or not say at work?
Wondering about the Words
Dear Words,
Your question is one that more of us should meditate on as I have 
found that reckless words at work do far more damage than most folks ever anticipate, whether you are the boss or employee.
To be successful at work, get ready to be your own personal firefighter, putting out the flames of poor word choices before they harm or even destroy your reputation and career. Here’s why. In James 3, the apostle reflects on the great evil that words can unleash, writing in verses 5 and 6: “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
Here’s my list of things you should NOT say at work and recommendations for what would be better to say:
Every time I hear someone begin their sentence with this phrase, I wonder why they chose to qualify the statements I am about to hear as “honest”. These words raise concerns as I tend to privately question if they have not been honest in the past or are not intending to be honest in the future. The Bible makes it clear that we are never to lie, to always be completely honest and that our “‘yes’ should be ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ should be ‘no’”. It is better to factually state what you have to say, using discretion and discernment of word choice when the subject matter is sensitive. It will help you sleep better at night and give your boss the comfort of knowing you are consistent in speaking honestly.
Before most of us step into a job position, we’ve had a conversation about what our responsibilities will be. Still, making blanket statements about what you won’t do conveys that you are not a team player and have a non-flexible attitude. When faced with a request that might not be part of your official job description, a better approach is to redirect the questioner to the person who does handle that issue. A good response is “Let me help you get to the right person.” Being helpful when faced with any request is the best attitude at work. Titus 2:7 advises: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Resisting change for no good reason will frustrate any employer or supervisor. The goal of a project or initiative is to benefit the company, not enshrine old patterns or systems. When faced with a change that does not make sense to you, seek first to understand. Ask questions like, “What’s the long-term strategy for this plan? Help me understand why this is better than the system we are using?” In the Bible, we see God using creative people and new approaches when they will be most effective. In Isaiah 43:19 we read, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” You may actually like the change once you understand how things will work and what the expectations are.
You were hired because someone thought you were the right person for the job. Don’t undercut yourself by presenting your ideas as a possible mistake. Approach your pitch with confidence. Phrases like “maybe we should try” or “I think” are not as strong as “I believe a good approach is this.” Of course you need to do your homework to get your presentation ready for review, but once the work is done, go for it!
I wish I didn’t have to write about this obvious mistake in the workplace, but it is common for employees to complain about their company or their bosses when they have a moment together. But trust me, those words will get back to the powers that be, and those sentiments will multiply, hurting the culture and camaraderie. If you truly hate where you work, go get another job. But remember, the people you are denigrating will be writing your recommendation. When others are talking badly about the company, go get some coffee. Proverbs 10:19 advises restraint, noting, “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
If your first reaction to a request is certainty that it can’t be done, I hope you have a lot of research to back that up. Embrace the challenge of thinking through a difficult task to see what might be done. And when you make a recommendation after looking into something, be clear about what it might cost and how long it might take to accomplish the goal. When faced with a nearly impossible task, a good response is “Interesting, I’ll look into it,” and then set a reasonable deadline for when you can report back, so you have time to reflect on the challenge. Remember Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Too many people in a workplace present a prickly persona, making interaction with them a chore. “Not now” is a frustrating response, as it leaves a colleague wondering when a project can move forward. You may be in the middle of something important, but rather than shutting down conversation, a better response is to set a time for solving the next problem. Say this, “I promised to finish this first, but how does 3 p.m. (or whatever times works for you) sound?” You convey that you care about your commitments, and you make a plan for the next task. You do have time, but perhaps that time is later. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
I am not the first person to write about the painful impact of gossip on reputations, both on those who are torn apart and on those who use words as a weapon. Eventually, if you are the kind of person who destroys people the minute they leave the room, your reputation will also be in ruins as no one can trust you. Many scriptures warn that gossip is a sin that destroys reputation, harmony and unity – things vital for accomplishing goals as a team. The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians wrote that he was afraid of that kind of disorder in the church, writing in verse 12:20, “I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” Your own testimony in the workplace as a Christian will suffer if your words tear people down rather than build them up. In James 1:26 we read, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
*This is a qualified no, as sometimes you will have to take a stand. As Christians we must say no to illegal actions, inappropriate relationships in the workplace, temptations to gossip, etc., as discussed above. But the kind of “No” that must be avoided at work is the one in which you refuse to do the work a supervisor gives you – work they have every right to give you. Fueled by today’s entitled thinking, too many people believe they must be consulted on every task and persuaded to do a job assigned to them. But when you take on a position, you accept the reality that someone else has use of some of your time and effort. Titus 3:1-3 instructs us to be respectful to acknowledged authorities, writing: “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”
If you would like to learn more about Biblical thinking about money and some simple steps for managing the resources you earn on the job, check out Crown’s Money Map. And if you’re looking for a little encouragement in the year ahead, please accept this gift from Crown. You can receive practical principles and daily encouragement from God’s Word in the God is Faithful devotional, sent straight to your inbox to consider what God has to say about our daily life.
To #Ask Chuck @AskCrown your own question, click here.
Chuck Bentley is the CEO of Crown, the largest Christian financial ministry in the world, founded by the late Larry Burkett. He is an author, host of My MoneyLife – a daily radio feature, a columnist for the Christian Post, and a well-known speaker. Follow Crown @CrownUpdates. For interviews or speaking requests contact media@crown.org.
The late Larry Burkett, Crown’s founder, believed that an excellent wife, as described in Proverbs 31, should be her husband’s primary earthly counselor. The same is true for a husband – as the spiritual leader, he should be the first to advise his wife. Spouses should be primary earthly counselors for one another.
Larry observed that in a family business, the one spouse can be either immersed in the day-to-day operation or totally isolated from
any vital input. It can be difficult to find a healthy balance, especially if one spouse stays at home or is employed elsewhere.
If you are the less-involved spouse, be careful to not become ignorant of your spouse’s business. You are no longer two – you are one and must learn to function as a team. Learn how to communicate about the business and the expectations of involvement from one another. Also be careful to not become demanding – respectfully ask about and listen to the problems, success, excitements, and disappointments that are bound to happen.
If you are the involved spouse, always remember to listen to and weigh your spouse’s advice heavily. You don’t have to always think they are right or give them the final say, but you should give them the benefit of the doubt and act respectfully towards them. The appreciation that comes from a man or a woman feeling listened to and respected can do tremendous things for your marriage…and your business.
No matter what, stay grounded in Scripture. Be willing to give advice, offer alternatives, support final decisions, and leave the results to God. The best way to ensure you’re giving sound advice is to seek God’s will and immerse yourself in Scripture. You shouldn’t need to remind your spouse that your advice is sound – they should already know. And if your spouse doesn’t end up taking your advice, don’t get your feelings hurt!
Don’t ever let your pride come in the way of taking advice from your spouse. Your spouse’s intuition could save you from making bad decisions or give you the confidence to try something that pays off in the long run. Remember that your spouse is one of God’s greatest gifts to you!
Sharing with one another keeps you both accountable in time, money, and attitude. Like Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” This is not only true for your relationship but for business as well.
A wonderful way for spouses to get on the same page on what the Bible says about money is with the online MoneyLife Personal Finance Study. It’s self-paced so you can complete each lesson on your schedules or pause to tackle practical steps as you work together unto the Lord.
The ancient philosopher Aristotle said “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”
When we enjoy our work we tend do it better than the one who does 
not. Great satisfaction is found when our gifts and talents are put into action.
If our purpose on earth is to serve God by glorifying Him in all that we do, then our vocation is a platform for that purpose.
In fact, we have the awesome privilege and responsibility of orienting our lives accordingly. Only by putting those gifts and talents into practice can we truly experience deep joy in what we do.
Regardless of income, prestige or security of a vocation, unless the work merges with God’s will, unrest will appear. Sadly many live discontented lives because they don’t have the courage or support at home to make a career move.
Income temporarily satisfies. Many people are trapped in prestigious, well-paying jobs that do not give them any purpose or meaning.
The Bible says a success is someone who serves God, is of service to others, who provides the needs of his family, and lives in peace.
In other words, a success is someone with their priorities in order.
As Christians, we have the advantage of being able to view life from God’s perspective. Through prayer, networks, and skill development, we can trust Him to place us in positions of fulfilling work. We must be willing to let go of what the world says is safe and smart to embrace how God made us and follow His lead.
The online MoneyLife Personal Finance Study is Crown’s newest tool and it walks through what Scripture says about our finances and how to live as biblical stewards. The study is online and self-paced, so students can walk through each week on their own schedules and pause to work on practical steps.
Canadian businessman and politician, Stanley J. Randall, said, “The closest to perfection a person ever comes is when he fills out a job application form.”
Have you ever been tempted to exaggerate your credentials when completing a job application or updating a resume?
Desperate people will often lie in a competitive employment market. Some falsify education history or work experience, technical skills or positions held. A survey from CareerBuilder revealed that 56% of over 2,000 hiring managers found a lie on applicant’s resumes.
A recent case involved a high school principal in Pittsburg, Kansas, who resigned from her position after high school journalists uncovered her false credentials when researching her background for the school newspaper.
Numerous cases have made headlines. Others have simply not yet been caught.
Falsifying a resume is dishonest. Christians should flee all temptations of lying.
Many fail to experience God’s blessing because they choose to compromise. They miss the sanctification of waiting on His perfect timing. They miss the joy of answered prayer. They miss the satisfaction of working for a reward.
Only the Lord’s provision brings peace and contentment. The deceitful may prosper in the short run. But, their sin will find them out and truth will eventually be revealed….either in this world or the next.
God calls us to live as faithful stewards of all He has entrusted to us – our time, conversations, money, and actions. Crown’s online MoneyLife personal finance study pairs Scripture with timely, practical encouragement for your finances. Sign up today and learn what living as a steward means.
Are you full of good intentions but never make headway? Henry Ford said, “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”
Our careers are highly dependent on the reputations we build…and our reputations are established by our priorities. For a Christian, 
those priorities must be established outside of what the world calls success. Christ warned that a man could gain the entire world but forfeit his soul in the pursuit thereof.
A Christian in the workplace must live by what the Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches: “chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Choosing to live with that goal and purpose, a man’s reputation will be established on Truth.
Making money and acquiring success are by-products of serving God first. Christian employees and employers have the privilege of building their careers on God’s Word and being lights to their unsaved counterparts.
Is there a cost to living for Christ? Absolutely. In fact, some employees may lose their jobs if bribes and other forms of deceit are required. But, not your reputation.
Your position may prevent you from sharing Christ openly on the job. But if Christ reigns on the throne of your heart, the Holy Spirit will provide opportunities to share. Dinners and meetings outside of business hours can provide open doors to share the gospel.
Whether you are an employee or employer, an appointed or elected official, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
If you’re working to get out of credit card debt and live as an example of biblical stewardship, get in touch with our partners at Christian Credit Counselors. They can help you put together a plan to pay off all your credit cards and live debt-free.
Chuck Bentley is the CEO of Crown, the largest Christian financial ministry in the world, founded by the late Larry Burkett. He is an author, host of My MoneyLife – a daily radio feature, and a frequent speaker on the topic of Biblical financial principles. Follow him on Twitter and visit Crown.org for more help.
Paul taught Timothy that those who want to get rich fall into temptation and snares.
Paul knew the heart of man.
Like the world, Christians rationalize indulgence. Our affluence has
distorted our priorities and we compromise truth in the deception of self-fulfillment.
Paul told the Corinthians “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
The problem for many is that pride keeps them from seeing God’s way out. We tend to do what is right in our own eyes.
Once a Christian becomes trapped by pride, he is of no service to God. He too easily gives in to temptation to elevate self. To avoid it, he must make himself accountable to others.
A husband and wife must be accountable to one another. Both should desire honest and loving pride detection and remember Transparent discussions about finances must be grounded in humility.
Businessmen and women need someone to hold them accountable and spur them on to good deeds.
Studying God’s Word and seeking to serve Him is the key to combat the deadly sin of pride. Crown’s online MoneyLife Personal Finance study walks you through what God’s word says about your money and how to avoid dangerous traps like pride. You learn biblical principles and practical ways to honor God with your finances and live every day as a good steward.
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis said, “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man… It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest.”
What convicting truth! Pride is one of the deadly sins and it’s no question as to why. Stewardship requires humility. All the negative implications of living with pride can be counteracted with a positive reaction of humility.
Pride abuses your wallet. Humility uses money for the Kingdom.
In an article at time.com Paul Michael points out that there are 7 
areas that pride causes us to overspend. Whether it’s by spending too much on brand names, going into debt, or making the same financial mistakes, our pride can trap us in a devastating financial cycle. Pride can wreck your budget in more ways than one and never leads to a good outcome.
When we live as humble stewards, we see money as a tool God has entrusted to us for His Kingdom. Stewardship is not ordering your finances in a way so you can spend whatever you want – it’s ordering your life in a way so God can spend you however He wants.
Pride robs you of peace and joy. Humility grants you freedom.
Perhaps you have experienced this. It affects your relationships and puts a terrible strain on marriages and families. It causes people to do things they know are wrong. And, it can be fatal.
It’s no wonder why God says that He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Seek to be humble which is to be more like Christ. When we live with freedom from Christ, others can see it within us. It’s both infectious and encouraging to be around someone confident in their identity from Christ, not shaken by status or comparison. Strive to be a steward of humility.
Pride prevents you from progress. Humility prepares us to fulfill our purpose.
Have you ever decided to not ask for help just to save face? Pride can prevent us from asking for help and making progress by telling us we are fine to stay in the same place. Time.com’s Paul Michael also says, “There is no shame in admitting you need help with managing your money. In fact, it’s something you should embrace, and quickly.”
If King David had been too prideful to work as a shepherd, he wouldn’t have become a man after God’s own heart or had the confidence to defeat a giant. His humility kept him in the pasture where he developed the character to lead a kingdom and the integrity to be trusted by God. When we remain humble, God prepares us to fulfill the purpose He has for our lives.
If shame or embarrassment has prevented you from seeking help with credit card debt, get in touch with Christian Credit Counselors. They have a wonderful team of Christian experts to help you pay off your credit cards quickly and with less interest.
Andrew Murray said, “Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.”
Pride is a spiritual stronghold; a tool of the enemy used to set itself up against the knowledge of God. It controls, it entangles, and 
renders believers ineffective in their witness.
Beth Moore addressed it in her book, Praying God’s Word. She personifies pride as someone who cheats you of your destiny, contentment, knowledge, healing, holiness, vision, friendship, love, greatness in Heaven, and God’s glory.
Thankfully, Psalm 25:9 says that God promises to lead the humble in what is right, and teach the humble his way.
Here are 3 ways pride causes us to make bad decisions and an alternative to stay humble and grounded in biblical truth.
1. Pride causes us to overspend. This happens with regularity – you overspend on your budget instead of putting a few items back, you make an impulse purchase to impress others, you spend out of your price range to maintain a certain status in your neighborhood.
Whether your overspending is big or small, when you are tempted, remind yourself of Proverbs 16:18 – that pride comes before a fall. Living as a steward will cause you to look different than your friends, family, and neighbors. This means your purchasing habits look different too! Pray about your purchases and if they are honoring to God instead of concerning yourself with a status to maintain.
2. Pride causes us to covet. When you let pride sneak into your heart, finances, and relationships, you get stuck in a competitive mindset, always ranking yourself against someone else. This breeds discontentment and covetousness that only leads to destruction. When you’re tempted to covet someone else’s material items, or that you “deserve” more, remember Romans 12:3 – that you should not think of yourself more highly than you ought. Instead, think of yourself (and others) the way God does.
3. Pride can prevent us from seeking help when we need it. Is it hard for you to ask for help? Admitting you need support or guidance requires a lot of humility but is a wise and humble step to take. James 4:10 reminds us that God uplifts those who are humble. If you’re struggling with credit card debt, get in touch with Christian Credit Counselors. They have a wonderful team of Christian experts to help you pay off your credit cards quickly and with less interest.
God bless you on your journey to financial freedom!
