Christian Finance Carnival 2 – Developing a Heart of Compassion Edition

Welcome to the Christian Finance Carnival 2. There were some great posts this week, so I encourage you to check them all out!

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This week I had the privilege to “tour” one of the worst parts of our region.

This was part of a community analysis study that I’m involved in that looks into the biggest needs and issues, as well as the biggest assets and strengths, in the community and determines how collaborative efforts among community stakeholders to improve the welfare of the surrounding communities could begin.

I was overwhelmed looking at all the things that need to be done in our area, but I left so encouraged about what God is already doing – and I was humbled to be a part of His work!

God’s heart of compassion is evident throughout the Bible. Just this week I was reading through Deuteronomy and came across this:

Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. Deut. 24:17-18

God cares deeply for the weak and vulnerable and we should too. One of the reasons is because we need to realize that we too are weak and vulnerable. God wanted Israel to remember their former slavery in Egypt and how God redeemed them from there.

In our context, we need to remember our own slavery to sin and God’s reconciliation for us through the gospel. That should free us up to be compassionate toward others.

So how do we develop this? Here are three things I’ve found helpful:

Remember our weakness and humbly admit that it’s only by God’s grace we are able to work and provide.

our weakness and humbly admit that it’s only by God’s grace we are able to work and provide. Reorient ourselves back to the gospel – that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

ourselves back to the gospel – that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) Rededicate ourselves fully to God’s mission of bringing hope, restoration and renewal through Jesus to a dying world.

On to the christian finance carnival 2.

**Editor’s Pick:

Paul Williams presents 3 Reasons Why Christians Should Not Think About Earning More Money posted at Provident Planning, saying, “When is it unhealthy for Christians to think about earning more money? This article gives three examples of when we should step back and look at our true motives.”

Other great submissions:

Craig Ford presents Is Christian Wealth an Oxymoron? posted at Money Help For Christians, saying, “Some people think there should not be wealthy Christians. Is that true?”

ramblinknight presents Billionaires Give Wealth Away in the Giving Pledge posted at Obsessed Analytic, saying, “Warren Buffett has convinced some of the wealthiest people in the world to donate over half their wealth. What are you willing to commit as a Christian? Even if you’re not a billionaire you should be willing to push yourself as far as possible.”

BudgetSnob presents Make Money or Be Happy? posted at Budget Snob.

Greg Keene presents How do you know if you are rich? posted at Managing Money God’s Way.

Sheryl Owen presents Change of Address: 10 Tips for Finding a New Church Home posted at Change of Address.

Joe Plemon presents “No” is a Great Word. Five Biblical Reasons For Using It posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “Do you sometimes acquiesce with a yes when you know deep inside you should say no? This post will free you up to say no and feel good about it.”

Amanda L. Grossman presents $5 Left at the End of the Month: A New Campaign posted at Frugal Confessions, saying, “My husband and I have been going over on our budget for the last several months, as well as have been itching to do more for others. Based off of this, I am challenging my readers and anyone who signs up to come within $5 of their budgets at the end of each month, and then to commit a Random Act of Kindness (RAC) with this $5. It can be anything from a donation, to handing out a box of granola bars to a homeless person on the street, to buying the next guy in the drive-thru a cup of coffee–the sky is the limit. I will be tracking the Kindness Impact dollar amount in my sidebar, so come join us!”

Steve presents American Tax Relief, A Consumers Story | 2008 Taxes posted at 2008 Taxes, saying, “Turning to a church ministry before purchasing tax debt assistance can help you avoid a company like American Tax Relief mentioned in this consumer story.”

Khaleef @ KNS Financial presents They Put the Nickels and the Pennies in the Collection Plate! – Devotion posted at Faithful With A Few, saying, “People are quite ready to devote to God the things they do not care much for-but the things that are desirable for their own use, they keep.”

Jason Price presents What Does Proverbs Say About Debt? posted at One Money Design, saying, “Solomon wrote the Proverbs to share wisdom and help people walk closer with God. Learning what Proverbs has to stay out of debt will help you avoid it and work hard if you’re trying to pay it off!”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of christian finance carnival 2 using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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