This year nine million children younger than five will die needlessly, more than half from hunger-related causes. 25,000 per day. Over 1,000 each hour. These children are as precious as our own children and grandchildren. What would we want others to do for them if they were in this dire situation?
The book of Ecclesiastes is the most powerful exposé of materialism ever written. Solomon recounts his attempts to find meaning in pleasure, laughter, alcohol, folly, building projects, and the pursuit of personal interests, as well as in amassing slaves, gold and silver, singers, and a huge harem to fulfill his sexual desires (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). The more Solomon had, the more he was tempted to indulge. His indulgence led to sin, and his sin brought misery.
Regarding choosing a financial lifestyle that is honoring to God, I received a blog comment from a reader, asking:
Do you believe that everyone should live modestly? (Would that be $30,000 per year, or $50,000, or $100,000, or...?)
How do you measure this? Should everyone have the same amount, or are some called to wealth and others not? 
When it comes to our attitude toward wealth, Jesus gave commands. When it comes to our specific possessions and lifestyle, he gave us principles. Jesus did not hand us a precise checklist of what we can and cannot own ...
Recently I was interviewed for a segment that aired on the Coral Ridge Hour, called "How now should Christians live in today's current economy?"
(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)
I'm speaking next week at a Generous Giving conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. As I'm working hard to finish up final revisions of my book If God is Good... Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil, I'm also thinking about giving and stewardship in light of the financial challenges so many people are facing. Many people find themselves worrying.
Worry has a ...
Earlier this year I spoke at the Clarus Conference in New Mexico, along with Wayne Grudem. At one of the sessions we talked about the topic of giving and generosity, especially related to the younger generations.
A couple months ago, I read a review written by David Wills about my book Managing God’s Money. David is a great brother, and the president of the National Christian Foundation, the largest Christian grant-making foundation in the world.
When the following was posted last month on the Desiring God blog, written by Michael Oh, I was very touched by it. Read it, ponder it, pray over it. In case God speaks to your heart about giving, I’ve included a few ministries you may wish to invest in, an investment which will pay off for eternity.
Recently I was working on a book project that involved my reading through messages Charles Spurgeon preached on Heaven. I was delighted to come across a passage in which he affirms some of the same teachings I lay out in my books The Treasure Principle and Money, Possessions and Eternity. While writing those books years ago, had I been aware that Spurgeon had said what follows, I certainly would have quoted from him!
This week's question is another one I answered on the Revive Our Hearts website:
I hear all kinds of financial advice in today's times. I've heard about investing and saving and preparing for the future (for example, saving for our children's education or retirement). What would you say would be the best financial advice for someone who is just starting out with marriage and children and really doesn't know what to do with their finances?
Thanks for this question. If you do just two things, you will have the cornerstones of living wisely financially.
Does the Old Testament model of tithing still apply to Christians today, since it was part of the old covenant?
I'm the author of over 40 books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. I love Jesus, my wife Nanci, and our daughters, sons and five grandsons!
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