Money and Prayer Articles

Brilliant Spending

brilliant-spending

Who said it?

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, represents, in the final analysis, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children."

You might be surprised to learn the author of this quote is former Republican President, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. We live in an era of partisan squabbles over government spending and military deployment. It's easy to think we're the first generation facing tough economic times and difficult budget decisions.

Yet, our ancestors elected leaders, paid taxes, and complained about it, just like we do today, but one thing is new: Technology. Scientists have figured out a way for farmers to grow enough food to end hunger. Computers have changed the way we conduct warfare, without loss of life.

With faith in the brilliant minds of our fellow human beings and faith in a magnificent Higher Power, we will soon see the hopes of our children fully realized.

- Susan Diamond

Guide Our Leaders

Thank You for the gentle reminder
that there is a higher authority.
Even as kings and presidents set events
into motion and change the course of history.

We ask Your blessing on the ones who hold earthly power.
Let them feel the impact their actions have
on families, on our elders, on the earth.
Hold our lives in Your hand,
as we all forge the future together.

- Ruth Williams

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Doing Something About Money Problems

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Money-Problems

The cupcake is so yesterday. I hear tell whoopie pies are the new rage. Scouting out locations for your new venture? Fagettaboutit. Buy yourself a step van and cruise the streets to sell your wares. Mall kiosks are history, designing your own website is old school and even eBay is passé.

It changes in a nanosecond. Opportunities for budding entrepreneurs to make money in business have never been more accessible. You can open an online store within hours on sites like Etsy or Shopify. If you have a skill or talent to offer, register with Elance. Are you creative in the kitchen? Organic snacks are a growing industry according to Inc. magazine.

Tools abound for you to find financial success in business. Doing nothing when faced with money problems, encourages hopelessness and saps the energy from your body. With a solid plan and a willing spirit you can create your destiny.

- Susan Diamond

Entrepreneur

I am waiting and waiting.
I am always getting ready.
Standing in this unemployment line,
I know I must renew my strength.
I have to go out and get what I want.
I have to make opportunities for myself.
You gave me a vision for a new business—
show me how to create it.
I will never receive all that You have for me
if I keep waiting and getting ready.
I praise You while I move forward
toward the unique purpose
You have created for me.

- Brenda Scott

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"Do you have dreams of starting your own business?"

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Retiring Financial Uncertainty

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Winning the lottery is not a reliable path to a secure retirement. Of the 62 million wage and salaried women (age 21 to 64) working in the U.S., only 45 percent participate in a retirement plan. Why do so many women spend a lifetime working only to put savings last on their list of priorities?

The obvious answer is that paychecks are too small and don’t cover even basic needs. But affluent women too, are guilty of not getting serious about saving for retirement. ING Direct and Daily Worth teamed up to ask women the question: “Why aren’t you planning for the future?” After examining the survey data, two hypotheses came to light:

1. Many women still live in a retro fantasy where they think someone else will take care of the future.
2: Women actually have what it takes to plan a secure future—but their lack of confidence prevents them from taking control.

If you think having faith in a financially secure future is enough— think again. We are given abilities to shape our own destiny. Our thoughts may be divinely inspired, and our prayers directed to the divine, but our actions are ours alone. Show your financial savvy and put a retirement plan in place to provide comfort and security for your faith-filled future.

- Susan Diamond

Pennies From Heaven

As I wondered where the money came from,
I said to myself:
What do you think?
That money would fall from the sky?

Then I realized,
that’s where all my money
has ever come from,
even if I earned it on a job
or found it on the street.
Thank You for providing for me,
now and always.

Help me to do my part.
Guide me in the direction
of my next step
and help me take it.

Once I have what I need,
remind me of Your favor,
and that the biggest debt I owe
is to You.

- Ruth Williams

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"ARE YOU PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE?"

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Poor Economics

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We give away a lot of money. That’s what good people do. We use our resources to help the neediest people all over the world survive.

This year, congress approved $2.5 billion for poverty-focused development assistance. With the urgency we’re facing in reducing the national debt, it makes sense to take a hard look at whether all of the money we spend to help others is making a difference.

Ester Duflo is an economist from MIT who does just that. She evaluates social programs to determine their effectiveness. Giving money to the poor is nothing new. Seeing what happens afterwards is.

“If we don’t know if we are doing any good, we are no better than the mid-evil doctors and their leeches.”

Ester shares her point of view and then gets to work on the question:
“Has aid given in the past made a difference in saving lives or breaking the cycle of poverty?”

More money is not always the answer. How blessed we are to have brilliant people working on complicated social issues. May the day come soon when all of God’s children can support themselves.

- Susan Diamond

After the Wreckage

I am far away today,
removed from devastation
distanced from despair.

Across the world they suffer
and I stare at this computer
thinking of hopelessness.

My needs are their wants
My wants make me blush with shame.

May the humility that life brings
show me again, my blessings -
those ordinary, daily miracles.

May my every day
be a walking prayer,
an inaudible sigh
that swells with thanks
for all that I have,
and brings some peace
for those without.

- Miranda Claudius

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"WHAT IS YOUR PRAYER FOR THOSE LESS FORTUNATE?"

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More Please

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Most of us do not live in a world where we take vows of poverty to prove our holiness. Money is essential to our everyday existence.

Linda is what some may call a, “bleeding heart liberal.” She is an activist, philanthropist and a volunteer for many good causes helping people in need. Yet, she begins each day with an attitude of guilt rather than gratitude. Poor Linda, she beats herself up because of her fortunate circumstances.

There are times when abundance feels like a burden rather than a blessing. It hurts to see others without, but if we look at money as a glorious responsibility, we can be grateful.

There’s a new movie called Happy, Thank-you, More Please. It has a powerful and insightful message: We should show our gratitude by thanking God for what makes us happy, and then with all the chutzpah we can muster, ask for more.

- Susan Diamond

Keeping Score

I thank You for simple pleasures
that ﬁll my heart with gratitude:
the kiss of color in a masterpiece of sky,
the refreshing coolness
of yogurt in the morning light,
a clean, comfortable bed
at the end of the day.

In my blessed abundance,
help me understand why
there is such disparity in the world.
Help me recognize
the need in anotherʼs eyes
and help me use the resources
You have given me to make a difference.