Dear G$ Friends and Colleagues,

Christmas can be a challenging time in which to be a good steward. This year as I reflected on how to be a steward in the midst of Christmas, I was reminded that the most important thing we are charged to be the steward of is the gospel. I got to thinking about what being a steward of the gospel looks like.

I wondered if what we taught in G$ about the stewardship of money in the five financial areas of life could be applied to stewardship of the gospel. Here's what I came up with:

1. Earning: The gospel, the good news of Christ, isn't anything we earn. It is a grace gift - but we are saved by grace for works! Working as unto the Lord (Col.3:23) takes on new meaning in this context.
2. Giving: Why sure, I can and should share the gospel generously and joyfully (and sensitively and not just with words). And what better time to do so than during the Christmas season!
3. Saving: Yep - I should store up the good news in my mind and heart so as to be prepared for the unexpected opportunity to share it or the unexpected hardship that otherwise threatens to leave me embittered or discouraged.
4. Debt: Oh my - we are indebted to the gospel! But it's not an onerous, interest-bearing debt on a depreciating item. It's good debt on the appreciating (growing) love of God which we can enjoy and share… it's OK to leverage this kind of debt.
5. Spending/lifestyle: I'd say we're being stewards of the gospel when we live with moderation and discipline, guided by a spending plan so that resources available to support God's work in the world can be maximized.

"He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace." - Micah 5:4-5 Read more...

News You Can Use

Extra, Extra, Read All About It - Debt Declines!
For the first time ever, the amount of debt Americans are carrying has declined. As reported by CNN.com, Federal Reserve figures show that consumer debt fell by 0.8% in the third quarter of this year compared with the second quarter. The article described the news as "a worrisome sign" for an economy highly dependent on consumer spending. Americans' collective net worth also fell in the third quarter, as declines in the stock market and home values took their toll. The 4.7% fall was the largest drop in net worth in the 57 years that the Fed has been tracking the figure. Read more...

Taking Our Financial Temperature
New research finds Americans feeling decidedly blue about the state of our economy. According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, fully 92 percent of the population views our economy as fair or poor. As a result, the survey found that increasing numbers of people are cutting their spending on gifts, travel, eating out, home improvements, and more. However, the survey also found that the cutbacks are being fueled more by how people are feeling than how they are faring. And, many people are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Over the next year, 43 percent of people expect the economy to improve, 36 percent think it will stay the same, and just 17 percent think things will get worse. One other note of optimism from the survey: 68 percent of people agree with the statement, "As Americans, we can always find ways to solve problems." That's up from 64 percent just three months ago. Read more...

Unretiring Isn't So Easy
Chalk it up as yet another toll from our tanking economy – more retirees are trying to come out of retirement. Those are the indications, according to a Businessweek.com article. However, prospective unretirees are having a tough time finding work. The article blamed the usual suspects for the plight of today's retirees – the struggling stock, housing, and labor markets. Read more...

When a Loan Modification Isn't Enough
One option for homeowners struggling to avoid foreclosure is a loan modification, in which the lender reduces the interest rate, extends the length of the loan, or in some rare cases even reduces the loan balance. While contract changes can seem like a lifeline, new data shows that many modifications only delay the homeowner's eventual loss of their home. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, more than half of homeowners whose loans were modified earlier this year fell behind on their payments within 6 months of receiving the modification. The modifications with the highest likelihood of success were those that reduced the loan balance. Read more...

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