Finances – Crown Financial Ministries New Zealand

How does God’s financial advice compare to the world’s?

Peter Crawford — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 03:16:56 +0000

Few people see the Bible as a financial guidebook but the Scripture is full of spiritual and practical advice. Here are the top three lessons where the Bible differs from all other financial advice.

So let me ask you, whom are you serving?

Are you serving your husband, your wife, your children, your boss, your family, your neighbour or others in your church? If so, don’t begrudge this as a burden. You are actually blessed. These are opportunities for you to grow and experience the joy and satisfaction of life. Jesus himself said that he did not come to be served but to serve. He fulfilled His purpose on earth in the same way. In fact, when asked who was the greatest among the disciples, Jesus made it clear that was the one who serves.

So today, thank God for all those you are called upon to serve. They are giving you the privilege of being filled to the full measure of Christ. Show appreciation for them. Thank God for them, and serve your heart out. In the end, you will experience true self-fulfilment and the rewards of a life well lived.

[info_list style=”circle with_bg” icon_bg_color=”#ededed” icon_color=”#ffffff” font_size_icon=”15″ eg_br_style=”dotted” eg_br_width=”1″ connector_color=”#bcbcbc”][info_list_item list_title=”Lesson One: Money is not your master” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^283|url^https://crown.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Crown-Icon.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^Crown-Icon|description^null”]

Cash is not king. Becoming a millionaire is not an appropriate life purpose. The Bible makes a clear distinction in Matthew 6:24:

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (NLT)

Serving money means we allow it to control our decisions, our direction, even our life purpose. As Christians, we must not allow money to usurp God’s leading and control our daily decisions.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Lesson Two: We do not own anything” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^283|url^https://crown.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Crown-Icon.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^Crown-Icon|description^null”]

We are not owners of anything; we are temporary trustees of God’s property.

Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world, and all its people belong to him.” (NLT) This changes our purpose from accumulators to managers![/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Lesson Three: The highest and best use of our money is to give” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^283|url^https://crown.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Crown-Icon.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^Crown-Icon|description^null”]

God gives us two directives.

Take care of our families

Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church states “… after all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather parents provide for their children.” 2 Cor 12:14 (NLT)

Honour Him by giving.

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.” Proverbs 3:9 (NLT)

These are not contradictory; rather, they are ways in which we reflect our obedience to God who charged us with caring for our family and others who are in need.[/info_list_item][/info_list]

These three principles: Lordship, Stewardship and Generosity should change our financial plans, our financial purposes and our financial goals.

Financial advice for life-long singles

Peter Crawford — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 04:18:18 +0000

The Census by Statistics New Zealand in 2023 identified that 23% of households in New Zealand consisted of one-person. People aged 65 years and over accounted for nearly half of all single person households. The proportion of one-person households has been stable over the past five years, while the proportion of two-family households has been increasing. That’s likely to reflect the decline in housing affordability during that period.

Some singles delay marriage in hopes of getting their finances in order. Others have financial challenges as a result of divorce, death of their spouse, pregnancy outside of marriage, or frivolous lifestyles.

Life-long singles often miss the traditional milestones of buying a home, having children, and long-term financial planning. They must be extra cautious with their income and expenses while fully trusting God.

Financial considerations for life-long singles

Living on one income today in preparation for tomorrow requires wisdom. My advice to singles, young and old, is to learn how to steward money. Handling money from a Biblical point of view will help you to face the future without fear. The Bible suggests:

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise for the rest of your life..” (Proverbs 19:20 NLT)

Find trusted advisors who can help you to take a short- and long-term view of finances. Goals must be set, and these principles apply:
Work with joy
Give first
Save second
Spend wisely
Diversify your investments

Good housing decisions are key

Many single people are not able to buy a home due to their inability to qualify for a mortgage because they don’t have enough income to meet the mortgage payments by themselves. In 2018 39.5% of single person households were renting compared with 34.6% of all households. Housing tends to be the largest annual expense for single-person households. Downsizing or relocating can eliminate some of the financial stress.

Rising rents are a problem since they have been increasing in response to high house prices in recent years. However, they haven’t fallen over the past 15 months, even though house prices have fallen. That increase in housing cost relative to your total income means you may need to consider alternative housing options:

If you are living in a large home, it may be necessary to sell and move to a smaller home
Take on a boarder or flatmate. Your property rates, maintenance and heating costs are likely to be less in a smaller home.
If you have a good relationship with your children, there are now more options for adding an additional house on their section without needing to subdivide or adding a self-contained unit onto their existing house.
Co-owning a house with family or a friend is also possible, but seek good legal advice before proceeding with this.
Living near family is important, but there are large variations in the cost of living across New Zealand and also within the same city. Looking at other options may reduce your financial stress.

Prepare for economic turbulence

Inflation and the economic recession are concerns for all of us, single or married. We do not know what the future holds, but we know that economic conditions are always fluctuating. Abiding by Biblical financial principles and making wise choices can cushion the fallout we may experience in the coming months.

In addition, variable expenses should always be closely analysed. Look back over credit card and bank receipts to see how much is being spent on groceries, transport, utilities, and entertainment. Seek discounts, eliminate waste, and make some cost-saving sacrifices. Many people need to find creative ways to reduce their spending. Recording all spending for at least 30 days will help you see where your dollars go. We are facing uncertain economic times, so we need to be extra savvy. Frugality does not mean misery. It can provide freedom!

Should my tithe be based on my net or gross income

Peter Crawford — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 21:02:45 +0000

I have heard this question many times over the years that I have been a Christian. However, the more important question is how do you decide how much to give and how much to spend on yourself.

Is the tithe all that we are asked to give? What about those who say that we are now free from the Law, so we are no longer under any obligation to tithe?

There are many aspects of Old Testament Law that we no longer follow. However, there are still important principles we can take from the Law to understand how God wants us to live. So what should be the guiding principles for our giving? Paul in his letter to the Corinthians commends the giving of the Macedonians:

“We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2, NIV).

He then goes on to talk about how we are to give cheerfully. “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT). The original Greek word for cheerful is hilarios, which is translated into the English word hilarious. We are to be hilarious givers.

Paul identifies that a priority for our giving should be to the church. He wrote to Timothy that “Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17, NLT)

We can use the Bible as a book of law or as a book that helps us to get to know the author and his plan for his world. The principles in the Bible help to guide our life in many ways but we can load ourselves with a heavy burden if we revert to living life according to a set of rules.

A great sense of freedom and purpose comes when God’s Spirit guides our heart and mind. As we come closer to God we sense what he is passionate about.

Our giving should come from a heart of love for God and our desire to live according to his will and purpose.

The tithe is systematic, and the amount of the gift is easy to compute. The danger of the tithe is that it can be treated as simply another bill to be paid. By not having the correct attitude I do not put myself in a position to receive the blessings God has for me when I give.

Another potential danger of tithing is the assumption that once I have tithed, I have fulfilled all my obligations to give. For many Christians, the tithe should be the beginning of their giving, not the limit.

If you want to become more generous with your giving, where should you start?

First, commit to spending more time reading the Bible. Find a good study resource to help you make sense of what’s in it.
Second, start to record everything you spend. It is useful to record your spending for at least three months to get a true picture of where your money is going.
Third, once you know where your money is going, seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance before writing down a plan for increasing your giving and your savings.

Many people find it useful to record their spending again two or three years later, and are often surprised how much additional spending has crept in.

In summary

Coming back to the question in the title, the bible doesn’t use the term net or gross in relation to how to calculate our giving, but the original instruction on the tithe does apply to the total harvest. I personally treat the gross as my income. However, my challenge is that the tithe should be the start of my giving and not the final target.

Being Content

Peter Crawford — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 20:58:10 +0000

A Household Income survey by Statistics New Zealand in 2012 showed that 14% of New Zealand households with an annual income of $156,000 or more, indicated that their income was only just enough to meet their everyday needs, and a further 5% of households said it was not enough.

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment”
(1 Timothy 6:6).

Contentment, contrary to popular opinion, is not being satisfied with what you have. It is knowing God’s plan for your life, having the conviction to live it, and believing that God’s peace is greater than the world’s problems.

We get trapped into a discontented life by adopting worldly goals. These goals always boil down to more…bigger…best. Scripture defines them as indulgence, greed, and pride. In our society it is not normal to “step down.” Once a certain level of income (or spending) has been attained, it is considered a failure to step down. Is the concept of conservation and moderation really a loser’s attitude? Not according to biblical standards.

God’s Plan for Contentment

Although many Scriptures teach about the dangers of material riches, they do not teach that poverty is the alternative. God wants us to understand that money is a tool to use in accomplishing His plan through us. To find true contentment, some basic guidelines must be established.

1 - Establish a reasonable living

Since there is no universal plan that is suitable for everyone, this must be a standard established among husband, wife, and God. Just having an abundance of wealth is not a sign of God’s blessings.

2 - Establish a habit of giving.

Every Christian family should be directly involved with the needs of another family. There are many Christian organisations that act as a funnel for such funds. If you can’t be personally involved, this is the best alternative.

3 - Establish priorities.

Many Christians are discontented, not because they aren’t doing well but because others are doing better. Too often we let the urgent things take priority over the important things.

4 - Develop a thankful attitude.

Thankfulness is a state of mind, not an accumulation of assets. Until we can truly thank God for what we have and be willing to accept that as God’s provision for our lives, contentment never will be possible.

5 - Reject a fearful spirit.

We can get trapped into hoarding or saving excessively because we fear the “What if?” of retirement, disability, unemployment, or economic collapse. Obviously, God wants us to consider these things and even plan for them, within reason. But it is a problem when fear dictates to the point

that giving to God’s work is hindered and worry becomes the norm rather than the exception.

In Conclusion

Finding contentment is the solution to reversing the growing debt levels in our society and the discontent with all that we have. Contentment does not mean complacency or living according to strict rules. Contentment instead requires a personal relationship with God and finding His plan for our lives.

A Biblical Perspective of Work

Peter Crawford — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 03:28:45 +0000

The 40-hour week (paid hours including overtime) remains the average for males in full-time work in Australia and New Zealand.

For females in full time work the average is around 37 – 38 hours while the average for part-time workers in 20 hours a week. These survey numbers only covered paid hours and we know many people on salaries work more than the hours they are nominally paid for. We also have an increasing proportion of the working population now working for themselves (self-employed) and often working much longer hours than these.

Over our working life time these can add up to a substantial number of hours we spend at work. But for how many people does the job come some degree of dissatisfaction. Perhaps no statistic demonstrates dissatisfaction more than job-hopping tendencies and the growing extent to which people are changing careers as they change jobs, hoping to find something that they find more fulfilling.

To find satisfaction in our work and to be placed in a position where God can prosper our work, we first need to understand what Scripture teaches about work in general, as well as the responsibilities of both employer and employee.

General Biblical Principles

From the beginning, God instituted work.

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15).

The very first thing the Lord did with Adam was to put him to work for his own benefit. It was not a curse. However, after the fall of Adam, work was included in the curse and was made more difficult. Work is so important to our daily lives that God commanded us to, “work six days” (Exodus 34:21).

In the New Testament, Paul was even more direct concerning work: “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). God’s Word implies that there is dignity in all types of work. It does not elevate one honest profession above another. Jobs are not merely tasks whereby workers can earn money; they are also a means by which workers can use their talents and abilities to develop character—godly character.

God’s part

The Word of God reveals three specific responsibilities that God has in connection with work.

1. God gives talents and skills. “Every skillful person in whom the Lord has put a skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work” (Exodus 36:1). God has given each worker unique skills and abilities. It is not a matter of one person being better than another; it is simply a matter of having received different abilities.

2. God gives success. “The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2). Although we all have different talents and responsibilities, God is the one who is ultimately responsible for our success.

3. God controls promotion. “God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another” (Psalm 75:7). Your boss is not the one who controls whether you will be promoted. God controls promotions based not only on workers’ abilities but also on workers’ faithfulness to the tasks and responsibilities given to them and whether they were good stewards of the responsibilities God had given them.

“You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:23). One of the major reasons people experience stress and frustration in their jobs is because they do not understand God’s part in work.

Employers responsibilities

Godly employers usually need to perform a balancing act. Employers are to love, serve, and encourage their employees, but they also are responsible to lead their employees and hold them accountable for the completion of their assigned tasks. According to God’s Word, employers have five primary responsibilities.

1. Serve employees. The basis for biblical leadership is servanthood. “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Employers need to balance efforts to make a profit with an unselfish concern for their employees and treat their employees fairly and with dignity.

2. Communicate. “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them” (Genesis 11:6). When employer and employees are committed to accomplishing a particular task and there is good communication between them, nothing—within the will of God—will be impossible.

Communication is a two-way street. Employers not only need to speak to their employees, but they also need to listen to their employees with sensitive and understanding ears.

3. Hold employees accountable. Employers are responsible for the employees knowing what’s expected on the job. Employers need to regularly evaluate employees’ performance and communicate this to employees.

4. Pay a fair wage. “[The Lord will judge] those who oppress the wage earner in his wages” (Malachi 3:5). “You shall not oppress a hired servant….You shall give him his wages on his day before the sun sets” (Deuteronomy 24:14-15). Employers must pay fair wages promptly when they are due.

5. Pray to have godly employees. This is not a command; it is a principle. However, employers would be wise to pray that God would send them employees of like faith and belief. Although employers are forbidden to discriminate, based on religious belief, employees with like faith eliminate a lot of potential problems that might arise.

Employees responsibilities

The life of Daniel as recorded in the biblical book of Daniel illustrates eight characteristics that made him a good and godly employee. The following are those eight characteristics.

1. Work as if working for the Lord. We actually are serving the Lord in our work; we are not serving people. In essence, we work for the Lord. If employees know and believe this, slothfulness can be greatly diminished.

2. Work hard. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). In Scripture, hard work and diligence are encouraged; laziness is condemned. “He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys” (Proverbs 18:9).

However, hard work must be balanced by other primary priorities of life: relationship with Christ, spouse, and family. If work interferes with any of these three relationships, you are working too much.

3. Be honest. Employees should not give cause for their employers to ever question or doubt their honesty.

4. Be faithful. Godly employees need to establish goals of being faithful and excellent in their work and work habits. Then they work hard to attain those goals.

5. Be a person of prayer. Godly employees are people of prayer. If employees do not pray daily regarding their work, the work will suffer.

6. Honour employer. Godly employees always honour their employers and those who have been placed in authority over them (1 Peter 2:18).

7. Honour fellow employees. Wherever there are employees there will inevitably be office politics. However, a godly employee will avoid backbiting and slanderous talk about other employees.

8. Verbalize his or her faith. Daniel verbalized his faith in God to those around him. Even so, godly employees will openly declare their faith on their own time and live their lives according to what is pleasing to the Lord and according to the principles of His Word.

Conclusion

The most important question people can ask every day is, ―For whom do I work? If the answer is anything or anyone other than the Lord, the biblical principles of work are not being applied. God’s Word has given some very direct principles concerning work that all Christians should know and observe.

“The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2)

11 Tips to Nail Your Next Job Interview

Peter Crawford — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 04:10:22 +0000

Looking for a new job?

Working as unto the Lord includes preparing well for an interview. Viewing work as an opportunity to glorify Him should motivate us to prepare well for an interview in the hopes of being remembered at hiring time.

While we can pray for help the Lord’s help with our job interview, our success at the interview also requires effort by us to be well prepared and to present well.

Consider these tips for making a great impression at your first interview.

Eye contact, a firm handshake, and good posture are essential.
Dress nicely, professionally and modestly. You should avoid distracting jewellery, hairdos, or strong perfume/cologne.
Be aware of your body language! Sit up straight, lean slightly forward and keep your shoulders and hands relaxed. Don't cross your arms or legs or slouch.
Use mild hand gestures when you speak and remember to slow down if you're nervous.
Come alert and prepared.
Arrive 10-15 min early with extra copies of your CV.
Research the organisation and sector it is in (and the interviewer if possible). This will help you demonstrate interest with informed answers and pertinent questions.
Before your interview, practice explaining what attracts you to the organisation, how the position fits your career desires, and how the work of organisation’s leaders inspires you. Where do you see yourself in 2-10 years? You should be able to articulate your strengths and weaknesses without hesitation. Remember to take notes.
Be humble and have a good attitude. Appearing arrogant or too eager says you may be hard to manage, so listen well and do not interrupt.
Show appreciation to the interviewer. If the job they're interviewing you for doesn't work out, he or she could still be the link to another organisation and you may cross paths in the future.
Write and send a thank-you note within 24 hours (use professional, simple format email).

More articles to inspire you:
Does God require fathers to be the breadwinner?
A biblical perspective of work
Should I start a business?
Should all of us be rich?

Finances – Crown Financial Ministries New Zealand

How does God’s financial advice compare to the world’s?

Few people see the Bible as a financial guidebook but the Scripture is full of spiritual and practical advice. Here are the top three lessons where the Bible differs from all other financial advice.

So let me ask you, whom are you serving?

Take care of our families

Honour Him by giving.

These three principles: Lordship, Stewardship and Generosity should change our financial plans, our financial purposes and our financial goals.

Filter

Financial advice for life-long singles

Financial considerations for life-long singles

Good housing decisions are key

Prepare for economic turbulence

Filter

Should my tithe be based on my net or gross income

I have heard this question many times over the years that I have been a Christian. However, the more important question is how do you decide how much to give and how much to spend on yourself.

Being Content

A Household Income survey by Statistics New Zealand in 2012 showed that 14% of New Zealand households with an annual income of $156,000 or more, indicated that their income was only just enough to meet their everyday needs, and a further 5% of households said it was not enough.

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6).

God’s Plan for Contentment

1 - Establish a reasonable living

2 - Establish a habit of giving.

3 - Establish priorities.

4 - Develop a thankful attitude.

5 - Reject a fearful spirit.

In Conclusion

Filter

A Biblical Perspective of Work

The 40-hour week (paid hours including overtime) remains the average for males in full-time work in Australia and New Zealand.

General Biblical Principles

From the beginning, God instituted work.

God’s part

Employers responsibilities

Employees responsibilities

“The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2)

Filter

11 Tips to Nail Your Next Job Interview

Looking for a new job?

Working as unto the Lord includes preparing well for an interview. Viewing work as an opportunity to glorify Him should motivate us to prepare well for an interview in the hopes of being remembered at hiring time.

While we can pray for help the Lord’s help with our job interview, our success at the interview also requires effort by us to be well prepared and to present well.

Consider these tips for making a great impression at your first interview.

Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Filter

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment”
(1 Timothy 6:6).

Psalm 27:14:
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."