Are you rich? Find out today – Tithe Challenge Week 4

Posted on May 31, 2013 by dkoop

90 Day Tithe ChallengeThose of you taking the Tithe Challenge, I am so proud of you!  You are stepping out in faith and it’s awesome.  My prayers are with you right now.

You may be under attack as you have committed to give to God’s kingdom.   It’s OK, that’s a sign you are doing the right thing.  Hang in there!

We already have another story from someone in our tithe challenge.  Chrystal writes, “We have been tithing 10% and as hard as it was in the beginning, we don’t even notice that the money is not there. Not only are we not noticing that the 10% is not there but it seems like I keep “finding” money. We have money left over at the end of the month.”

To read more, check out last week’s comment here.  Our check out our Facebook page:   http://www.facebook.com/RidgeFellowship

You may see something good happen like a check in the mail, or getting the job or raise you’ve been wanting like we have seen.  You may not.  But, you will feel satisfied and closer to God as you walk in faith.  You will know that God is God at some point during this three months, but don’t quit.

Today I am going to share something from The Global Rich List.

Every now and then you may see a list containing the richest people in the world.  You may even wonder what it would be like to have that sort of cash. But where would you sit on one of those lists? Here’s your chance to find out. Go to www.globalrichlist.com  Type in your country and income and where you compare in the world to the other people.  Its eye opening!

For instance, if you make $48,000 annually in your household, you are in the top 1% of the wealthiest people in the world!

Did you know three billion people live on less than $2 per day while 1.3 billion get by on less than $1 per day? 

I used to think that rich meant someone who had a lot more than I have.  Now I know that rich is a matter of perspective.  I am rich, you are rich. You are richer than 99% of people in the world.  Listen to God’s perspective “For everyone to whom much is given, from him/her much will be required” Luke 12:48

This verse is haunting to me.  I have to tell myself, “God has given me so much.  But why? To keep, to hoard, to spend only on myself?  No, to manage well and give some for God’s purposes.”

Be rich, but be obedient too.  Tithing is giving what God requires.  Way to go!

Darrell

Tithe online at www.ridgefellowship.com

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5 Poor Investment Choices

Posted on May 24, 2013 by dkoop

Surviving My Finances PosterAre you wrecking your investing by making any of these choices?

1.  Not investing at all

A recent survey by Deloitte Center for Financial Services found that nearly 60% of pre-retirees don’t have a retirement plan, and 20% expect to live on their Social Security benefits alone in retirement. The average monthly benefit from Social Security is only $1,230, so it’s clear that any savings are better than no savings. No matter how far behind you think you are, make a plan and start investing now for a better retirement.

2.  Waiting too long to start investing

When it comes to investing, you can’t make up for lost time. That’s why you should invest early, no matter how small the amount, to take advantage of compound interest. For example, a $2,000 lump sum invested when you’re 30 years old can grow to $72,000 by the time you’re 60. But that same $2,000 investment will be worth $237,000 if you invest it 10 years sooner.  That’s triple the money just by starting earlier!  That’s the power of compound interest.

3.  Not investing enough

While saving for retirement is a main goal for most people, they want to split their disposable cash between paying off their home, saving for a child’s college fund, and retirement savings. Multitasking with your money is fine, as long as you invest enough of your income for retirement. Why? A paid-for home won’t help you cover all your expenses in retirement. Neither will paid-for college tuition. Focus on retirement investing first, then you can tackle your other financial goals.

4.  Taking cash or a loan against your investments

Roth IRAs and 401(k)s allow you to withdraw or borrow funds under certain circumstances. But doing so will not only lower your balance, you’ll also miss out on that money’s growth potential. Additionally, you could also be subject to taxes and penalties. Pay off your debt and build an emergency fund before you start investing, and use that cushion to pay for unexpected expenses. Keep your retirement fund for retirement only!

5.  Investing with out understanding

Many investors believe they will save money by handling their retirement investing on their own. But do-it-yourself investors rarely have the time or the expertise to find the best funds or understand the market cycles that are part of stock market investing. As a result, they are more likely to reduce their returns by investing when prices are high and cashing out when prices fall.

Author and National Radio Host Dave Ramsey recommends you work with an experienced investing professional you can trust to help you choose funds and keep your plan on track. His investing Endorsed Local Providers (ELPs) agree with his investing philosophy and are ready to help you with your long-term retirement plan.

Find your ELP today!

 Source: Adapted from Dave Ramsey’s Investing Minute

For more about the series, Surviving My Finances go to www.RidgeFellowship.com

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Tithe Challenge – Week 3 – Protector

Posted on May 24, 2013 by dkoop

90 Day Tithe ChallengeI have prayed for you this week.  Last week we looked at God’s promise to “open the floodgates of heaven” (Malachi 3:10) – like the Genesis flood, to pour out an abundance of blessings.   We have seen that God asks us to “test him” in this area of giving our 10%.   This week we will look at his promise to “prevent pests from devouring” our income.

Let’s look at Malachi 3, verse 11.   This verse begins literally, “And I will prevent pests from devouring your crops.” (NIV)  It contains another promise that is connected to His promise to “throw open the floodgates of heaven.” Not only would God would “pour out” abundant blessings (v. 10); he also promises to “prevent pests from devouring”  your income. 

Have you ever thought about all the ways your income can be devoured?  Most of us do not grow crops but this promise is still for us today.  There are many things that will devour our paycheck, savings, material things and investments.   There are many ways to make money.  I believe there are even more ways to lose money or possessions!  From emergencies, fire, thieves, accidents or wear and tear and the list goes on and on.

God’s promise is not only to be our provider but our protector.  Again this is a good place to remind us that the same almighty God who can create from nothing, who speaks things into existence does not need my measly 10% when he owns everything in the universe.  He can say a word to bring blessing or destruction.  I  need God’s blessing, you do too.  I need God’s protection and you do too.  By faith we tithe. By faith we trust God to provide and to protect. Why? Because he said He would.

Let me pray for us, “God thank you for your promises to provide and to protect us.  We acknowledge that you are the one who can protect us from all that would devour us, our families and our incomes.  We give as a way to acknowledge that you are God.”  Amen

Until next week, Darrell

Tithe online at www.ridgefellowship.com

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Eliminate Debt with the Debt Snowball

Posted on May 19, 2013 by dkoop

Surviving My Finances PosterWhen you’re ready to knock out debt,  Here’s a link to a debt_snowball. form

Explanation and Instructions: 

On the form, list your debts in order, from the smallest balance to the largest. Don’t be concerned with interest rates, unless two debts have a similar payoff balance. In that case, list the one with the higher interest rate first. As you start eliminating debts, you’ll start to build some serious momentum. These quick wins will keep you motivated, so you’ll be able to stay on track.

The idea of the snowball is simple: pay minimum payments on all of your debts except for the smallest one. Then, attack that one with intensity! Every extra dollar you can get your hands on should be thrown at that smallest debt until it is gone. Then, you attack the second one.

Every time you pay a debt off, you add its old minimum payment to your next debt payments. So, as the snowball rolls over, it picks up more snow. Get it?

Redo this sheet every time you pay off a debt so that you can see how close you’re getting to total debt freedom. 

The “New Payment” is the total of the previous debt’s payment PLUS the current debt’s minimum. As these payments compound, you’ll start making huge payments as you work down the list.

Special Thanks to Dave Ramsey & Financial Peace University. For more information visit: http://www.daveramsey.com/home

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