Few people get into unmanageable debt because they cannot add or subtract, which demonstrates financial indebtedness is more than an economic problem. Below are five spiritual sins that can lead a person into the sin of unmanageable debt. Recognition and avoidance of these serve as a formidable protection against unmanageable debt. Rectifying them also serves as a path out of financial bondage. Greed – wanting more than God has provided you. “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; for this you know with certainty, that no immoral or ..read more

While the Bible does not use the terms capitalism or socialism, I believe it strongly favors capitalism. Clearly, the Bible does not sanction everything that goes on under the name of capitalism. But the Bible does seem to present a relational and economic system that more closely resembles capitalism than socialism and Marxism. Scripture emphasizes giving from one’s earnings, hard work correlates to income, dealing with others in financial honesty, personal responsibility, voluntarily caring for the needy, and sharing, which all, at least, imply ownership. We are also commanded not to steal o ..read more

John 10:16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. John 10:25–29 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and n ..read more

John Piper says of the two calls, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:23–24, “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Notice the two kinds of “calls” implied in this text. First, the preaching of Paul goes out to all, both Jews and Greeks. This is a general call of the gospel. It offers salvation impartially and indiscriminately to all. Whoever will believe on the crucified Christ will have him as Savior and Lord. But often, this general call to everyone ..read more

The battle between Marxian-socialism cannot be reduced to a political or economic discussion devoid of spiritual consequences.[1] Two things that are decided in the political and economic realm do affect evangelism and worldwide missions. The first is the freedom granted by our constitution and laws to speak freely, evangelize according to the Christian faith, and organize our churches and lives to spread the Christian faith in our own country and around the world. The second is to live where the economic system provides people with sufficient financial freedom and discretionary income to supp ..read more

I have incalculable affections to share with one bride. I have a million dreams to be fulfilled with one love. I have two eyes for just one woman. I have one treasure in my hopes for tomorrow. I have thoughts for only one smile to which to awaken. I have two hands to hold only one companion. I have one life’s devotion to live with one life’s passion. I have one heart to open to only one person. I have one friend with whom to saunter through life. I have one confidant with whom to share my deepest feelings. I have one soul to unite with only one soul mate. I have extraordinary memories filled b ..read more

The Calvinist Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC) was approved and adopted in 1648.[1] Its stated purpose is “to be a directory for catechizing such as are of weaker capacity.”[2] This refers to children, youth, and others who may lack basic religious understanding. It is written in a question-and-answer format. While it has some admirable aspects, it suffers similar biblical deficits as Calvinism. Here are two: Question 1: What is the chief end of man? Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. Calvinists claim the chief end of man is to glorify God, and rightly so ..read more

Grant that I would confess unguardedly to You since You know my sin more fully than it shall ever be known by me (1 John 1:9). Grant that I shall confess unhesitatingly and not suffer the loss of one moment of fellowship with You (1 Cor 1:9). Grant that repentance would be seen as my ever-present friend that carries me back to you and not a distant stranger (Rom 2:4). Grant that I think about dying to self a hundred times more than I think of living (1 Cor 15:31). Grant that I pursue and choose humility like my Lord Jesus (Phil 2:8). Grant that I decreasingly have to be humbled to conform me t ..read more

On Christmas, we give thanks and celebrate Christ humbling himself and being born a baby boy in order to die for the sins of the world (John 1:29). That is the greatest gift and message of Christmas; may Christ’s humility, which made the Christmas message possible, be seen in us. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who . . . humbled Himself” (Phil 2:5, 8). He who had no beginning was born. He was born of a woman he created. The served became the servant. The sovereign became the sacrifice. He came from the halls of heaven to the hell of Golgotha. He became a part ..read more

In death, we know that our loved one is more than the body, for the body is still there, but our friend is gone. This we cannot prove in a laboratory, but neither can we deny it in our hearts; our friend is gone and gone indeed. Some say we are just material beings; the body is all there is, but death reminds us profoundly that we are more than a mere body. For the body is still there, as it was before death summoned, but though the body is there, our loved one is gone. Not gone in the sense of when a machine quits working, but rather when life has vanished. Not like when a computer crashes fo ..read more