By Chuck Bentley

According to a story released by the Associated Press, A western Illinois couple recently celebrated the birth of their 100th grandchild. You heard that correctly—number 100.

Leo and Ruth Zanger of Quincy have 53 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. The birth of great-grandson Jaxton Leo on April 8 made the number 100.

Like me, you may be wondering how many children it took to achieve this impressive supersized family tree. The Zangers have been married 59 years and have 12 children. The youngest, 31-year-old Joe, was already an uncle ten times when he was born.

How do they explain this? Leo Zanger tells The Quincy Herald-Whig “the good Lord has just kept sending them.” He says the family “could start our own town.”

Do they have too many? Not according to Ruth Zanger, who says “there’s always room for one more.”

Most of the family live in the Quincy area. When they get together, they rent a church hall and it takes 50 pounds of ham or ten turkeys to feed everyone.

I love this story because God loves families. One of the primary reasons young people say they are delaying marriage and having fewer children today is that they believe they cannot afford it. However, the data tells a different story.

Marriage improves your net worth. Fathers earn more than their single counterparts, and healthy marriages and strong families are the backbone of a nation.

So my hat is off to the Zangers. I thank God for your large family, and may you continue to be fruitful and multiply as the Lord keeps sending you more.

Originally posted 6/17/2015.

By Chuck Bentley

A Hermès Birkin bag with diamonds set a record for the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction ($221,846). According to the Wall Street Journal, the fuchsia bag sold at Christie’s afternoon handbag auction in Hong Kong recently and was purchased by an unknown bidder on the phone.

Astonishingly, the record-setting handbag—which could be eclipsed by another Birkin in the same auction—isn’t the most expensive Hermès bag offered for sale. The luxury site 1stDibs currently lists a Hermès Birkin, which is notoriously difficult to purchase in retail stores, for $450,000. “That 30cm handbag is made from Himalayan Niloticus crocodile and features an 18k white gold lock with white diamonds, totaling 1.64 carats.”

Now, I doubt any of us is struggling with missing out on buying this Hermès purse that costs as much as a home in the United States. But we all struggle with pride, and far too often our purchases are a reflection of our desire to set ourselves apart by what we own.

CS Lewis said it this way:

“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. Once the element of competition is gone, pride is gone.”

Jesus told a parable about the foolish farmer who wanted a bigger barn so he could store up more crops and “eat, drink and be merry.” God declared him to be a fool because he was rich in his own eyes, but not rich toward God. As Christians, we are not to envy the rich or covet what they have; we should only guard our own pride from falling into the trap of comparison, coveting, and self-indulgence.

Originally posted 6/16/2015.

By Chuck Bentley

In man’s economy, money is the master of your life. In God’s economy, Jesus is the only Lord, Master, and King of your life. This may sound like a no-brainer to you, but we can be controlled subtly by money in ways we don’t realize. For instance, who do you consult before making a large financial decision—the Lord or your bank account? What about when considering changing jobs? Do you ask the Lord if it is His will that you make a change, or do you consider only the financial implications of the job offer?

Do your goals reflect man’s economy or God’s? How many of your goals are financial or related to your financial condition versus being directed toward spiritual growth, serving God’s people, or advancing His kingdom?

Here’s one more—have you ever heard it said, “cash is king”? That sounds subtle, but cash is king in man’s economy, not God’s economy. Since a king sits on his throne, declaring cash to be king in our lives is placing it on the throne of His.

Hebrews 13:5-6 states, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” So we can say confidently, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

We learn here that our confidence can be placed in money, but that it will leave us and forsake us. God will not. In God’s economy, He is our helper and is of far greater value than all the money in the world.

Declaring Christ to be King of my life places Him on the throne of my heart.

Originally posted 6/15/2015.

By Chuck Bentley

The New York Times is rarely a source to find supporting documentation for sound theology, but Nicholas Kristof wrote an insightful article about recent research that proves that hope is an essential element to our financial well being. He said,

“Whether in America or India, families that are stressed and impoverished — trapped in cycles of poverty — can feel a hopelessness that becomes self-fulfilling. Give people reason to hope that they can achieve a better life, and that, too, can be self-fulfilling.
 
Much of the news about global poverty is depressing, but this is fabulous: a large-scale experiment showing, with rigorous evidence, what works to lift people out of the most extreme poverty. And it’s exhilarating that one of the lessons may be so simple and human: the power of hope.”

For we Christians, our faith is infused with hope; in fact it should be running over with hope. Listen to God’s Word:

“For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” (Psalm 146:5)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

So never despair; put your confidence in God and He will bring you hope.

Originally posted 6/10/2015.

By Chuck Bentley

I like to keep up with developments in China since Crown has a very strong outreach there. I found this story fascinating. China has opened what is called a “morality bank” to reward good Samaritans. This bank in a northeastern Chinese city has seen residents flocking to open accounts that enable them to exchange good deeds for free services.

Anyone can accumulate credits with the bank, through tasks such as collecting plastic bags off the streets (10 points), handing in lost wallets (50 points), and donating blood (200 points).

Top credit earning deeds include helping others in a dangerous situation (300-500 points) and donating stem cells (1,000 points).

Credits can be exchanged for rewards such as a free haircut (150 points), home cleaning (500 points), or a health check (1,200 points). People who collect more than 6,000 points will win the accolade “Models of Community Morals.”

Critics say the program taints the purity of doing good deeds because of the materialistic nature of the scheme. However, proponents argue that rewarding good deeds is important in a society struggling with a “moral decline.”

I hope you see the connection to our Christian faith. God has set before each of us future rewards for our obedience and good deeds. This is not so we can earn our salvation, but to encourage us to be kind and generous to the needy. In reality, the Chinese bank is a tainted version of God’s morality bank. Be sure to make plenty of deposits!

Originally posted 6/9/2015.

By Chuck Bentley

I read a fascinating study by Professor Tony Wagner of the Harvard Graduate School of Education called “Overcoming the Global Achievement Gap.” What is that gap, you may be asking? The Global Achievement Gap is the gap between what even our best schools are teaching and testing versus the skills all students will need for careers, college, and citizenship in the 21st century.

You see, the problem is that we are teaching and testing on lots of subjects but missing some of the basic skills that are essential to achieve our full career potential. Professor Wagner’s book goes into detail about the Seven Survival Skills.

Some of those are….

Critical Thinking
Problem-Solving
Leading by Influence
Adaptability
Initiative
Curiosity & Imagination

Here is why this is great news for you: Regardless of your current education or career or profession, these skills are applicable to help you perform better at work and achieve your God-given potential. If you find that any or even one of them does not come natural to you, ask God to help you improve in that skill. For instance, God can give wisdom, insight, courage, curiosity, imagination, and initiative. These skills can become your greatest career assets.

A friend of mine served on a council of top engineers and scientists. The highly educated group was stumped about a complex engineering problem. My friend bowed his head in the meeting and asked God to help him find the answer to the challenge. After praying silently, he said he received a clue from God that led him to solve the mystery. He credits God with improving his critical thinking skills and his career progress.

Originally posted 6/8/2015.

By Chuck Bentley

One of the greatest mistakes we humans make is to define success based upon what we think we can do apart from God. Far too often, we want to take credit for our accomplishments, yet no one has ever been independent of God.

Even Christians can allow our thinking to become tainted by humanism. How many of us have heard it said, “God helps those who help themselves!” No…the Gospel is much more akin to this statement, ”God helps those who cannot help themselves.” The Bible says that apart from Christ we can do nothing.

Yes, we may be able to impress a few friends or dazzle a few crowds with our feats or accomplishments. But in light of eternity, we are all helplessly dependent upon God for our very next breath.

Humanism is the view that we are on our own, the masters of our own fate, and that our accomplishments are entirely up to our own efforts. But we must reject this lie while doing hard work. Think of Nehemiah. He had the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He knew he couldn’t accomplish this himself, so he cried out to God for help.  This part of his journal is recorded in Nehemiah 6:15-16: “…the wall was finished—just 52 days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God…”

This should be our heart attitude in all that we do. Apply this to your work today or tomorrow morning—for the rest of your life. It will ease your burden and increase your joy! And success will be in glorifying God for what He did through you, not for what you did apart from Him.

Originally posted 6/4/2015.

By Chuck Bentley

Fewer than 20 percent of millennials say they’re likely to buy life insurance, according to a LIMRA survey, an insurance research and consulting firm. Sixty percent say internet, cable, and cell phone bills are higher priorities, while about 3 out of 10 millennials say saving for a vacation is more important than purchasing life insurance.

David Marlett, a professor in the department of finance, banking, and insurance at Appalachian State University says young adults must consider the following:

* How much money your family would need to cover funeral expenses if you were to die unexpectedly?

* How much would be needed to replace any income that you’re contributing to your family?

I think life insurance is a good idea. Some Christians say it demonstrates a lack of faith. I argue that it demonstrates good stewardship to be sure your parents or heirs do not have to struggle with funeral costs, unpaid debts, or future financial needs if you were to die unexpectedly.

Also, don’t simply rely on a small amount of coverage you may have as a rider to a group health policy. Consider the benefits of term or whole life insurance. Term life insurance maybe the best option for a 20-something on a budget. It covers you for the number of years you choose and is relatively inexpensive. Another option is permanent life insurance, which costs more than term but covers your entire life.

Consider adding life insurance into your budget. There are lots of web-based resources to help you calculate how much you need and the rankings of life insurance companies. My main point is not to delay, thinking it is unimportant or that you don’t need it. Death is not optional for any of us.

Originally posted 6/3/2015.

By Chuck Bentley

A car title loan is a loan where you give the lender the title to your car in exchange for a small amount of money. The loan usually only lasts for 30 days. If you don’t pay them back, they will take your car. Many people get car title loans, but these loans are a bad idea!

The main problem with these loans is the extremely high interest. Most lenders charge interest rates of 25 percent or more per month, adding up to an annual percentage rate of 300 percent per year. If you can’t pay, the loan will most likely be rolled over. The loans are usually rolled over eight times.

You take all the risk of possibly losing your car and pay an outrageous interest rate!

Create a better way to have access to cash by creating an emergency savings account. Imagine having $1000 cash in the bank and borrowing the money from this account. Now imagine paying it back with 25 percent interest in 30 days. That would mean you borrow $1000 from yourself on the first of the month and by the end of the month you have $1250 in your emergency savings account. If you roll this over eight times like a car title loan…well, do the math…in eight months you could save over $5900. So what do you think is better: A car title loan or an emergency savings account?

So how do you begin? Set a goal to save $1000 by saving a little—whatever is possible…$5, $10, $100 each month. Put it in a safe place where you won’t touch it. Develop a habit of doing this until you reach your goal. You’ll be so glad you did!

Originally posted 6/1/2015.

By Chuck Bentley

If you have one or more credit accounts that you are struggling to pay on time, there are a number of options to consider to help you resolve this terrible financial bondage.

1. First, do your best to pay your bills on time and pay them off entirely if you are able. If you have an unforeseen problem with your job, your health, or your income is interrupted, other approaches may become necessary.

2. Second, your creditors are likely willing to allow you to pay off your debt by negotiating a settlement amount. According to Sally Herigstad, a certified public accountant and the author of “Help! I Can’t Pay My Bills”:

“Paying the negotiated amounts is the fastest way to resolve your debts and be done with them. Because the creditors are already offering steep discounts, you don’t even have to go to the trouble of starting negotiations. Be sure to get everything in writing from your creditors before you send checks to them.”

Sally goes on to say, “Be aware that paying less than the full amount negatively affects credit scores. However, at this point, your credit score has already been damaged by past-due accounts. You’re better off resolving the debts.”

Another option is to contact a professional credit counseling agency that can negotiate reduced interest rates and settlement terms that allow you to pay off the loan with a debt management plan. But don’t just settle for a company you find in an online advertisement. That is dangerous. Crown partners with Christian Credit Counselors to be sure you will receive fair and honest help to work your way out of past due debt.

If you are unsure about negotiating with your creditors directly, CCC is a great alternative. Find them at their website.

Originally posted 5/27/2015.