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In God We Trust – Not In Money, Fame, and Fortune

06.30.2009 by Guest Author //

In God We Trust - Not in Money, Fame, and Fortune

This is a guest post by Kevin Mercadante at OutOfYourRut.com – Kevin is also a new Twitter user (@KevinMercadante) so show your support by giving him a follow.

Ed McMahon on Tuesday; Farrah Fawcett Thursday morning; Michael Jackson Thursday afternoon; Billy Mays on Sunday.  Three died, as we say “before their time”.  It isn’t unusual to awaken to the news that a celebrity has passed away, and while we might listen and give pause, by the next day we’re back to business as usual.  But four in a space of less than one week-two in a single day-THAT has to make you think.

McMahon, Fawcett, Jackson, Mays; they weren’t ordinary people, not like you and me.  They were stars, household names.  You knew who they were even if you didn’t like them. You had no choice; their faces and their stories, for good or ill, crowded the pages and images of the popular media.  We saw their lives in every minute detail-their struggles, triumphs, tragedies, relationships and even legal entanglements-play  out as if life was their stage, and we their audience.  They weren’t just living life, they were leading it; by certain definitions, they were the best examples of what we might become, could become, if only…

Alas, Behind the Facade, Even the Stars Are Human

I don’t remember life before Ed McMahon, and while I wasn’t a committed fan of his, he seemed to always be there, like an icon of Old Hollywood.  He was steady and reliable with a disarming wit that made him a somehow comfortable and credible figure, if such can be said of any TV personality.  But lest anyone think fame and fortune are insulation against disaster, in 1995 McMahon lost a son to cancer, and after decades of success in the public limelight, stories abounded of McMahon’s financial troubles, including a protracted foreclosure saga on his Beverly Hills mansion.

Unless you’re over 40, you may not completely comprehend the pure celebrity that was Farrah Fawcett.  On a single night in the fall of 1976 she hit the scene and literally seized the culture from what ever forces had held it before.  For guys, it was undeniably a sexual thing (OK, there I said it).  For girls, she was glamour personified and all things Farrah were to be imitated, especially her hair style.  She was a figure who defined the style of a decade, and she accomplished it all largely in only a single season of full time work on the mega hit series Charlie’s Angels. For a season of life, Farrah wasn’t human; she was somehow superhuman, as if she’d risen above the human condition and ascended to something higher.

But like Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett’s life wasn’t trouble free either, especially at the end.  Before her death she struggled in a three year battle with cancer, and only weeks before her death, her son-her only child-was serving a drug related sentence and was unable to be with her at her death.

Michael Jackson was a once-in-a-generation mega talent who could entertain us to the rafters but, for reasons beyond himself, seemed to bring out the worst in us on a number of fronts.  When Jackson was on top of his game, he didn’t have fans so much as he had disciples-people who hung on every song, every word, every public performance, every nuance of his being.  There’s something unhealthy about that level of devotion to a performer, or to any human being, and Jackson wasn’t the first star to have such a devoted group of followers, but his was one of the biggest ever.

On the flip side, when Jackson’s much covered, much celebrated legal entanglements dominated the media, it was disturbing to hear the number of people who 1) didn’t know him or his alleged victims personally, 2) weren’t present or otherwise involved in his trial and 3) had no access to the facts or evidence in the case, yet were steadfastly certain of his guilt. There was something about Jackson and the charges against him that made “good people” feel better about themselves by virtue of their belief and profession of his guilt.

So much for “Let he among you who is without sin, let him cast the first stone” (John 8:7); that pivotal verse gets thrown under the bus-with the accused-when ever there’s a trial.  Even though we don’t know the facts or the people involved, we still know-right?  God have mercy on us all!

Billy Mays wasn’t the only TV pitchman to achieve star status, but he took it to a higher level by becoming the venue’s only superstar.   A man of humble beginnings, he spent many years pitching products at state fairs and on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ, before becoming one of the most recognizable faces in America only a few years ago.

While there isn’t any “dirt” on his personal life, which by all accounts was one led quietly, on the air he was a bit, well…obnoxious!  But that was part of his edge, or even of his “charm”, if you prefer.  It was the X factor in his personality that drew us to him, and maybe more importantly, made us recognize immediately anytime he came on TV.

The Things of This World

So why am I writing about this on a personal finance blog — a Christian one at that?  And what at all does it have to do with the topics contained in this site?  Maybe nothing, maybe everything.

This is one of those moments in time when all there is about the world looks a bit shaky, a little less certain.   It begs the question, if the “stars” have fallen what does that mean for us mere mortals? Perhaps this is a moment when God is calling on us, reminding us not to dig in too deep, not to put faith in the things of this world.

Our culture is obsessed with money.   Our culture is also obsessed with celebrity.  The combination of the two can produce something that looks remarkably like the mental and emotional images of what we might call “the perfect life”.

Maybe perfect is too strong a word, but if we can be rich and famous, we may reason that, we can find a way to deal with the rest. This is the image we’re force-fed all the time by the media.  Why else is the media so smitten with how celebrities dress, what they do, where they go, their relationships, who they hang with and even what their opinions are on subjects they clearly know little about?  And why does anyone even care?  Because we’re rooted in this world, because we might dare to think that nirvana is attainable as evidenced by some who seem to have reached it.

If we’re completely honest, even Christians can and do succumb to such thinking, and how could we not; we’re virtually surrounded by it.  But rest assured, there is no perfect life this side of heaven, nor was it ever meant to be.  We need to keep our desires and aspirations in check, our feet on the ground and our eyes fixed heavenward.

Perfection is not worth the pursuit, even and especially when it comes to money and personal finance.  We’re working through the muck of life and money, trying to do the best we can with the resources we have.  But all we can do is the best we can do-if we can even achieve that-and our primary focus needs to be on getting out of this world with our very souls, and not necessarily with the fattest 401k or a mortgage free home.

While we pursue better personal finances-and we’re called upon to be responsible stewards and providers for those dependent upon us-it’s worth remembering that not only will such achievements be temporary, but they also provide no salvation for us or the people around us.  An improved life perhaps, but perfection and salvation won’t be found in it, no matter how successful we may be.

At this moment, if we take nothing else from the deaths of these stars, we need to remember that if their money and their fame couldn’t save their lives, than nothing we in the invisible masses can do or attain will spare us either.

Live life as best you can, lower your expenses, payoff your debts, save for the future, but always remember that all that we can see is temporary and that true and permanent salvation cannot be had in this world, even if we become rich and famous.

Presidential Quotes on Trusting God

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity…And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
– George Washington in his Farewell Address of September 17, 1796.

“The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe—the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God…… Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty…… With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”
– John F. Kennedy at his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961

“Without God, there is no virtue, because there’s no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we’re mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what the senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. If I could just make a personal statement of my own — in these 3 1/2 years I have understood and known better than ever before the words of Lincoln, when he said that he would be the greatest fool on this footstool called Earth if he ever thought that for one moment he could perform the duties of that office without help from One who is stronger than all.”
– Ronald Reagan on September 20, 1983

DFA is passionately dedicated to helping others break the bondage of debt using biblical principles.

Categories // Spirituality Tags // jesus christ, money, Spirituality, wisdom

Memorial Day Music – A Country After God’s Heart

05.25.2009 by Matt Jabs //

god_bless_america

Our country was founded on the belief in, and reliance upon, the God of the bible.  This belief was (and still is) reflected in our National Songs.

Today I would like to honor not only our servicemen & women, but also the God who guided our country to greatness.  Though our country no longer corporately recognizes God as King, there was a time when we did!  The proof rests in these beautiful songs of national pride.  It was always in the times of commitment to God and His Word that our country was at its greatest.

Let us once again strive and fight to honor God on the individual, family, state, & national levels!  Just as we are making a return to old-time finances, let us make a return to old-time reliance upon God and His Word! God is in control of setting up and tearing down both men and nations.

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.  – Daniel 2:21-22

I encourage you to read and sing these great songs of faith and country, remember those who served, those who are currently serving, and remember the God who directs the affairs of men.  Please pay special attention to the lyrics of the latter, uncommonly sung verses, and to their heavy reliance on God for guidance, strength, and victory!

Let us once again become a country after God’s heart!

MY COUNTRY ’TIS OF THEE

Written by:   Samuel F. Smith in 1831

I in­stant­ly felt the im­pulse to write a pa­tri­o­tic hymn of my own, adapt­ed to the tune. Pick­ing up a scrap of waste pa­per which lay near me, I wrote at once, prob­ab­ly with­in half an hour, the hymn ‘Amer­i­ca’ as it is now known ev­ery­where. The whole hymn stands to­day as it stood on the bit of waste paper.  – Samuel F. Smith

My country, ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our father’s God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.

Our joyful hearts today,
Their grateful tribute pay,
Happy and free,
After our toils and fears,
After our blood and tears,
Strong with our hundred years,
O God, to Thee.

BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC

Written by:  Julia W. Howe in 1861

I awoke in the grey of the morn­ing, and as I lay wait­ing for dawn, the long lines of the de­sired po­em be­gan to en­twine them­selves in my mind, and I said to my­self, “I must get up and write these vers­es, lest I fall asleep and for­get them!” So I sprang out of bed and in the dim­ness found an old stump of a pen, which I re­mem­bered us­ing the day be­fore. I scrawled the vers­es al­most with­out look­ing at the p­aper.  – Julia W. Howe

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

O BEAUTIFUL FOR SPACIOUS SKIES

Written by:  Katharine L. Bates in 1904

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain;
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self control,
Thy liberty in law.

DFA is passionately dedicated to helping others break the bondage of debt using biblical principles.

Categories // General, Spirituality Tags // God, jesus christ, music

A Proper Attitude Toward Giving

05.22.2009 by Matt Jabs //

A Proper Attitude Toward GivingWith this post my aim is to shed light on how & why you should give what you give.

“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.”  – Albert Einstein

“You give before you get.  There would be no advantage to be gained by sowing a field of wheat if the harvest did not return more than was sown.”  – Napoleon Hill

“For of those to whom much is given, much is required.”  – John F. Kennedy

If you are at all concerned about your community, your finances, your church, your country, your favorite charities, or your example to your children, proper giving should be a concept with which you are thoroughly familiar.

Today I would like to address the role our attitude plays in our giving, and how it can truly make or break what we give!

A Problematic View Toward Giving

  1. Giving your “last fruits” – Meaning giving is one of your last financial priorities.  This is a very common pitfall and one that I fell victim to for years!  The premise here, whether purposeful or involuntary, is that giving will commence once all other financial matters are in order.  I contend that giving should be your first financial priority, before debt repayment, savings, or anything else.
  2. Giving “amounts that don’t matter” – There exists a common misconception that amounts given are in direct correlation with the meaningfulness of the gift.  If you hold this view you are severely short-changing yourself.  No pun intended.  I would like to bring to remembrance the fact that the percentage you give is far more important than the amount you give!
  3. Giving is “obligatory or even burdensome” – Whether you are currently giving or aspiring to give you need to give with joy.  Gloomy givers are ungrateful givers and are missing out on the joy that giving is meant to bring!  To those gloomy givers I say this:  if someone gave you a gift, but was noticeably unhappy about giving it, how would you feel?  Many others still, may be indifferent about their giving.  While they may not view their giving as a burden, they still have an unfortunate and inappropriate view toward the fundamental purpose of giving.

A Proper View Toward Giving

Firstly let us look to scripture for wisdom & encouragement from God in an effort to overcome the aforementioned problematic views.

    1. Give your “first fruits” – Though giving of “first fruits” was an Old Testament commandment to Jews, as Christians we need to be mindful that all things belong to God.  What better way for us to thank Him than to offer the first of what He blesses us with back to Him.  He promises to bless us in such a bountiful way that we will not be able to receive it!  Giving first may not make “sense” to some people, but I believe it is an issue of faith, meaning there is no good explanation other than just having faith in what God promised.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.”  Malachi 3:10-11

    1. Giving “any amount always matters” – It is not the amount you give that holds meaning, but the percentage you give and the spirit with which you give it.

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”  Mark 12:41-44

    1. Give “cheerfully” – Giving without joy is detrimental to he who gives.

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7

Final Thoughts

Giving is not a burden, quite contrarily it is a glorious blessing!  To be able to give to someone else, especially if you are filling a need, is a joyful gift that no amount of money can reproduce.

  • Make giving your first financial priority, above debt repayment, saving, and investing.
  • Give sacrificially
  • Give with joy

Consider the old quote, “The gift of giving”.  The word gift is not referring to the recipient, but to he who has given!

DFA is passionately dedicated to helping others break the bondage of debt using biblical principles.

Categories // Giving, Spirituality Tags // faith, Giving, jesus christ, tithe, wisdom

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