Wesley's Wisdom on Affluence

"Money is an excellent gift of God, answering the noblest ends. In the hands of his children, it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked: It gives to the traveller and the stranger where to lay his head. By it we may supply the place of an husband to the widow, and of a father to the fatherless. We may be a defence for the oppressed, a means of health to the sick, of ease to them that are in pain; it may be as eyes to the blind, as feet to the lame; yea, a lifter up from the gates of death! It is therefore of the highest concern that all who fear God know how to employ this valuable talent; that they be instructed how it may answer these glorious ends, and in the highest degree."

I couldn't agree more. And because most of us are such poor stewards in this area it is refreshing to know that a repentent heart and mind brings greater grace.

The Institutionalization of Greed from a Biblical and Global Perspective

Professor Prabhu Guptara is a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum and a past Trustee. He is Executive Director, Organisational Development with Wolfsberg, the Platform for Executive and Business Development of Switzerland's UBS Group. These remarks are made in a personal capacity.

I want to conclude by saying that what we have is a culture of greed that was politically sponsored and politically promoted, a culture justified by reference to Adam Smith’s notion of the Invisible Hand, that if everybody operates in their self-interest then somehow, magically, everything is looked after. And it did seem to be that way in the eighteenth century. However, just because it was that way—perhaps—in the eighteenth century, doesn’t mean it’s going to be that way today. The level of morality in the market may not be the same today as it was in the eighteenth century. The level of complexity may not be the same today as it was yesterday. And the level of volatility may not be the same today as it was yesterday. So it’s a bit naive to expect the economy to look after itself today, even if the economy did so all that time ago. To read the full text

Entrepreneurs of Life

What does it mean to be an Entrepreneur of Life? An entrepreneur is one who undertakes, or starts, a project, that holds some level of risk. Whether we like it or not, because of the nature of our world, we are all entrepreneurs in one way or another.

Yet as in any endeavor there is a risk return trade off. Scripture says we are to sow seed and work the field and pray for a righteous harvest. In what way today are you acting as a responsible (response + able) Entrepreneur of Life? Is there a plan? Are you winging it? If you are winging it perhaps today would be a good time to begin working towards that which God has uniquely prepared only you to do?

I hope today is your best day!

The Value of Walking With the Wise

"Knowing is not enough: we must apply...such is the essence of wisdom". Johann Goethe


The last few months have shown clearly that some of the smartest and highest paid men and women in the world can make horrible decisions. If these folks can't figure things out what chance does the average person have? More than you might think! Wisdom is what's missing in our world today and fortunately Wisdom is more accessible than you may think if you know where to look.

The best educational establishments today teach, to the best of their abilities, everything you need to know about science, politics, finance and economics. But as I watch the world grapple for ideas and something foundational to 'fix' crisis after crisis, I am more convinced than ever that knowledge without understanding is foolishness. It appears the brightest minds and most powerful politicians thoughts are clouded by greed and ego. This is the real crisis of leadership in out time.

In listening to politicians and economists I have realized they are partially right about what is wrong but still terribly wrong about what is right. Describing a problem will never fix it but there is no deficit in opinion makers pronouncing how we got 'here'.

Good solutions require:

Knowledge - (Great and relevant questions)
Understanding - (Skillful thinking)
Wisdom - (Truth and skillful action)

Disciplined thinking guided by wisdom lead to a "harvest of righteousness!"

Short of this combination any recipe for parenting, career, investing, giving or rescuing a globlal economy will be a temporary fix at best. The answer to a rich and full life does not rest at Fox news or in fixing the economy and electing the right candidate. Walking with the wise, begining with The book of wisdom is the beginning of what we are looking for.

May God help us and give us wisdom.

The Key to Wealth Without Worry

"Tell those who are rich in this age not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." I Timothy 6:17

Day by Day

When we begin to account for the confusion and fear we experience when the economy is fragile and depressed it can be used as an indicator, or measuring stick, of the condition of our heart and mind. In every adversity there is a thread of opportunity to test what we believe.

How is your heart today? Mine has been distracted at a minimum and occupied with thoughts I am not too proud of concerning my future. But when I think "Christianly", through a biblical world view I realize again that my 'future' is secure and though I may walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for the Lord God Almighty is with me. I should be as a tree planted by the water whose leaf shall not whither that brings forth good fruit. That's our shared future.

Let us remember with great fondness His promise and walk in His strength.

We Can't Even Count All Our Debt!

At a time when the majority of Americans are wisely beginning to look at our recent excesses for what they are Times Square in NYC and the following BBC article show us the end result of a country consumed by unbridled materialism and greed. May we become men and women, and parents, who clearly know who we are and where our purpose and meaning is derived...so that as those who follow Christ and represent Him in this world we learn to live within the boundaries wisdom would offer.

US debt clock runs out of digits

Until last month, the clock had enough digits to measure US debt levels

The US government's debts have ballooned so badly the National Debt Clock in New York has run out of digits to record the spiralling figure.

The digital counter marks the national debt level, but when that passed the $10 trillion point last month, the sign could not display the full amount.