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Money, money, money!
Get your Caris budget sheet here!
Think-spot. . .
The Bible has loads to say about money — or
rather our attitude to it. Money is a fact of life, and there is nothing
wrong with it. It only starts to go wrong if getting money, or keeping it,
becomes the biggest thing in your life.
Christians talk a lot about being “good stewards” — i.e. using money wisely, so that you can make the most of whatever you have, and live a generous life by giving some away, too!
Check these out:
1 Timothy 6 verse 10
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, in their
eagerness to get rich, have wandered away from the faith and caused
themselves a lot of pain.”
Matthew 6 verses 19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves
do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also.
2 Corinthians 9 (verses 6-11) From The Message version
“Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a
lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and
make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob
stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the
giving.
“God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're
ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to
be done. As one psalmist puts it:
“He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless
abandon. “
His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes
bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you
something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust
in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way,
producing with us great praise to God. “
What other verses on money can you find?
Now, take our challenge!
Choose a life rule or mantra. You might take a Bible verse, or saying —
like, “live generousy” or “give cheerfully” — or make a decision — perhaps
to do a sponsored event for charity every year. Be creative!
Ethical banking
One way to use whatever money you have wisely is to invest it in a bank that
supports projects that make a difference to people or the planet.
Triodos
www.triodos.co.uk
Check out: Young Saver Account
It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can have a savings account with
Triodos bank. You can put money in it at any time, either with regular
savings or in a lump sum. When you reach 16 it changes to an adult account.
Good move: By having an account with Tridos, you’ll help support a wide variety of projects — from community initiatives to ones trying to save the planet!
Reliance Bank
www.reliancebankltd.com
Check out: Teenz account
Anyone aged 11+ can open a Teenz savings account, though you have to be 13
to get a cash card for instant access to your money. To keep you sweet, you
get a £10 book or music voucher when you sign up, too.
Good move: Reliance Bank is part of the Salvation Army. Their profits are used to help the Salvation Army’s Christian and charitable work.
The Co-operative Bank
www.co-operativebank.co.uk
Check out: Bonus account
If you’re aged between 7 and 17 you can open a Bonus account in your own
name for full control and access to your money.
Good move: Open a Bonus account and you’ll be helping support the Born Free Foundation, an international charity that campaigns for the protection and conservation of wild animals in their natural habitat.
Kingdom Bank
www.kingdombank.co.uk
Check
out: Young Saver Account
Aged 12 and under: the Young Saver Account has to be in your
parent/grandparent/guardian’s name. Aged 12+: the account is in your name
with parental approval. Cash withdrawls by post.
Good move: Kingdom Bank gives 20% of its profit away to help develop churches and Christian organisations in the UK.