Steps To Follow – Crown Financial Ministries New Zealand

Learning from failure

Peter Crawford — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 04:19:09 +0000

Have you ever failed? I mean, really failed?

You know, that sickening feeling when you realize you’ve missed the mark, made a huge mistake, or gone just a little too far? No wonder it’s one of our greatest fears.

I’ve certainly failed. My biggest financial failure was becoming successful in the eyes of the world and a failure as a steward of what God had given me. I got so distracted by my own goals and achievements that I sought after the wrong things. I accumulated worldly wealth instead of true Kingdom riches.

But God isn’t unaware of our mistakes. In fact, 2 Corinthians 12 tells us that in our weaknesses and mess-ups, He’s made even greater. So don’t give up.

Repentance is part of learning from your mistakes.

Come humbly before God to confess your failures and surrender your future. He’s slow to anger and abounding in love. God can always redeem your mistakes for His purpose.

If you have this attitude, you may be able to avoid messing up in the first place! Psalm 37 tells us, “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.”

If you’re making short- or long-term goals, pray about them and commit them to the Lord. Proverbs says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

No matter what your failure is, it’s never so bad that God can’t redeem it.

Ask Him to reveal what He wants you to achieve. Abide in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Crown’s online MoneyLife Personal Finance Study is a 10-part course with accompanying videos to guide you through God’s teaching on money

Other courses we have available include:

Debt Free Living online course

Money Dates online course

Do Well 10 Week Small Group Biblical Financial Study (New Zealand edition)

Chuck Bentley, CEO, Crown Financial Ministries International

Setting up an emergency savings account

Peter Crawford — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 05:40:55 +0000

An emergency savings account is a primary element of a financial plan. Having money set aside and always available for the unexpected expenses eliminates a lot of financial stress and the need to rely on credit cards or other forms of short-term debt.

How Much Do You Need?

An emergency savings account is a source of money to draw on during unexpected circumstances. It is basically an insurance fund for sudden setbacks. This might include a job loss, having to stop work due to major health issues, major car or home repairs, a natural disaster, an unforeseen tax bill, a death in the family, or emergency travel expenses.

The alternative of income replacement insurance is expensive, and you are not always guaranteed a payout. If you don’t make any claims on your insurance, you don’t receive any money back, but if you consistently save for emergencies, you will eventually have more than you need and be earning money on your savings.

Most experts recommend saving three to six months of your current living expenses, but these are some scenarios where you might want to save more:

Those with children who are still dependent on you.
If you have a mortgage.
If layoffs are common in your industry
If you are retired and don’t have other sources of income.
If you are self-employed or your income is unstable.
Single parents without a second source of income.

If you spend less than you earn, have no dependents, and no debt you can keep fewer months of living expenses in emergency savings.

A portion of the emergency savings should be easily accessible, in accounts that won’t be penalized for withdrawals.

You need to be able to cover rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance (car, home, life), routine maintenance (car and home), groceries, child-care, and other debt payments. Find the total monthly cost of these items and multiply that by three to calculate a three-month saving goal; multiply by six to determine what is needed to cover six months. This total is for basic survival—discretionary items are not included (the things that are nice, but you can survive without them). This is money needed to survive if the unexpected hits.

How to Start

Open an account that you absolutely will not touch unless a true emergency arises. Aim to save $1,000 as quickly as possible. Set up automatic payments so you will not spend the money. Deposit gifts, pay raises, bonuses, or tax refunds when possible. Go through your bank and credit card statements to see where you can cut expenses and divert that money toward an emergency savings account until you establish a three-to-six-month cushion. When you need to withdraw money, aim to replenish it.

Lessons from Ants

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. Proverbs 6:6–8

Not only are ants extremely busy creatures, but they are also known for their ability to store food that is ultimately shared with others in their colony. Most of us have seen an ant carrying off a large breadcrumb under the picnic table. They are not feasting on the bread; they are harvesting it for use in the future. This is the wisdom that God wants us to learn from.

What about debt repayment?

If you have debt, repaying that debt as fast as you can is a priority. You will be in a much stronger financial position once you are debt free. Make a commitment to take on no new debt.

If you don’t have much room in your spending plan for savings, saving $5 or $10 a week is still a good starting point for your emergency savings account.

Set a goal; then challenge yourself with spending fasts, like a no-eating-out month, a no-entertainment-expense month, etc. Find friends to do this with you; some competition may help you build your savings account faster!

How many savings accounts do you need?

Once you hit your goal for your emergency savings account, consider opening another bank account for future needs. This might include replacing a vehicle, necessary maintenance on your home, investing in more insulation for your home, installing solar panels, buying a home, holidays, and more.

Summary

At least three savings accounts plus your KiwiSaver are useful:

Short-term expenses that don’t occur every month. That includes annual holidays, dentist and vehicle servicing
Long-term savings for buying a house, home improvements, car replacement and major holidays
Emergency savings for unexpected events

The article next month addresses how to maintain these savings accounts.

Helping your children into home ownership

Peter Crawford — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 21:12:25 +0000

It is sometime suggested that home ownership is now only a dream for many people, but Census data shows the rate of home ownership has been increasing since the 2018 Census. In 2023 66 percent of households owned their own home (including those held in a family trust), while 34 percent of households did not own their home. That compares with 64.5 percent of households owning their own home and 35.5 percent of households that did not own their home in 2018.

Over the past 40 years house prices have increased faster than the rate of increase in incomes, but lower mortgage interest rates have helped more people to enter the housing market. Debt-to-income ratios introduced by the Reserve Bank in late 2024 are expected to limit future house price growth.

The introduction of Kiwisaver in 2007 has helped households save enough money to make a reasonable deposit on home and is an important contributor to the increase occurring in home ownership rates among young people.

Government measures to support home ownership are:

1. First Home Loan for buyers with a low deposit. Most home loan lenders require a minimum 20% deposit. With a First Home Loan, you only need a 5% deposit. Kāinga Ora underwrite the loan, this means that bank or lender can accept a 5% deposit when they usually would not be able to. The loans are available to people under a specified income level.

2. Kāinga Whenua Loan for Māori to buy or build on Māori land. The Kāinga Whenua Loan is an opportunity for Māori to build, purchase or relocate a house on Māori land that has shared ownership. The loans are also available for Māori collectives, including land trusts.

3. Tenant home ownership grant for Kāinga Ora tenants. If you’re currently a Kāinga Ora tenant, you may be eligible for a grant to go towards buying the home you’re living in. The tenant home ownership grant is a gift of 10% of the purchase price of selected Kāinga Ora houses up to a maximum of $20,000. Houses in some areas are not available for tenant home ownership.

4. Access to Kiwisaver for people who have previously owned a house. If you have previously owned a house but no longer own a house it may be possible to access your Kiwisaver account. This applies to people who didn’t use Kiwisaver to purchase their previous house. There are other conditions as well.

5. Some low-income households are also able to use the Accommodation Supplement to assist with mortgage payments. You don’t need to be receiving a benefit from the government to apply for the Accommodation Supplement.

It is hard to find any accurate statistics on the degree to which parents are helping their children into home ownership.

The main options for helping children into home ownership are:

1 - Making a Financial Gift

This is a worthwhile option, even if the children have been able to save the 20 percent deposit required.

A few years ago I did the sums for a couple who were buying their first home using a Crown mortgage calculator. We assumed the couple continued with the same weekly payments on their mortgage after receiving a gift to reduce the balance on their mortgage. A $10,000 gift saved the couple $40,000 in interest over the 30-year term of the loan, shortening the time to pay it off. Small gifts to help them top up payments on the mortgage will also have long-term benefits if you don’t have a big amount to gift. Some people are concerned that the amount they can gift is limited but the key limit applies during the period before you need to access residential care for yourself or your spouse. It is best to complete your major gifting well before then.

2 - Interest Free Loan

This will have the biggest financial impact if it is used to help them pay off their loan faster. It is important to have a loan document, even for a loan to your children, and to seek legal advice.

3 - Offset Mortgage

This has a similar benefit to an interest free loan but offers much greater flexibility. As parents, you keep full control over your money.

BNZ and Kiwibank New Zealand offer offset mortgages which allow parents to use their own savings to offset the interest on their children’s mortgages.

There are some benefits over the interest free loan option:

- The money you make available to be linked to the offset loan remains in your control and you can use it at any time. That means it is possible to link your savings and the money in your day-to-day spending account to be offset against the mortgage. It would not be practical to commit the same level of support through an interest free loan
- The offset mortgage option has no establishment cost for you, while a large interest free loan is best provided through a secured mortgage, which involves legal fees. Moving your savings to the same bank as your child is easy.
- Your child is not in debt to you. Being in debt to someone else does influence the relationship between the lender and borrower. With the offset mortgage, the bank sets the repayment terms and monitors that payments are being made, so you don’t need to worry about that.

Any savings accounts linked to an offset mortgage do not receive any interest payments. Banks currently charge a higher interest rate for offset mortgages. That means the weekly payments are higher than for a low interest fixed-term mortgage. However, if the interest on the mortgage is being offset, this speeds up the repayment of the mortgage, since more principal is paid off each week.

So how does the offset mortgage work? If your child has taken out a mortgage for $250,000 and you have a combined amount of $200,000 in your day-to-day spending and savings accounts, the bank charges interest on only $50,000. The following example is based on a 25-year mortgage for $250,000, which has an interest rate of 5.8%.

In the first week of the mortgage, the offset means $223.08 less is paid in interest and $223.08 more principal is paid off compared with the normal principal repayments.

Most parents will not have that much in savings, but even a much smaller amount can make a big difference on how long it takes to pay the mortgage off. If you have only a small amount that you can offset, most of the mortgage can be put into a lower interest fixed-term mortgage and a smaller balance kept on the offset loan.

An offset mortgage also allows your child to have money in a savings account for large one-off expenses, but the balance in their spending and savings accounts is also offset against the mortgage.

Other articles which might be helpful are:

Financially helping your adult children

Advice for life-long singles

Should we borrow for our daughter’s wedding?

How does God’s financial advice compare with the worlds?

Basic business minimums for Christians

Peter Crawford — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 01:18:15 +0000

Basic business minimums for Christians

A business is a tool that can be used by God to demonstrate the truth of the Gospel. In James 1:22 we are told to be “doers” of the Word. A business is the perfect environment for living Christ’s truth.

Purpose of a business

To determine whether a business is being used to serve God, look at the policies governing its day-to-day actions. If Christian owners or managers are truly committed to Jesus Christ and to serving His purposes, the business will be run according to His minimum principles and precepts.

The business should have one overriding purpose: to glorify Him. Each decision—hiring, firing, paying, promoting, and so on—must be made in harmony with God’s written Word, under the direction of His Holy Spirit. No function is more or less important, and each must be done with excellence.

Basic business minimums

Whenever most people think about the basic minimums of Christianity, they generally think of the Ten Commandments. These are the minimums that God said would separate His people from those around them.

In the business environment, the same commandments apply, but there are some other minimums that set apart God’s followers from others in the business world.

These are indicators of whether they are serious about dedicating their businesses to the Lord. These minimums are:

Keep out of unnecessary debt. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (Proverbs 22:7). It is sometimes necessary to accrue debt, especially when starting new businesses. Borrowing to keep a business going, to fund operating expenses, or to purchase product should be avoided.
There is no tool more effective for evangelism than businesses dedicated to the Lord. Employees can be won by the example of dedicated owners or managers and also suppliers, creditors, and customers. The key is the walk, not the talk.
Disciple others. Discipleship is training Christians to grow stronger in their faith. In businesses, that effort should be directed by the owners or managers to those immediately under their authority. They will then be able to disciple the others under their authority. “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Provide for needs. A business must provide for the needs of the employees, creditors, customers, and owners. That is done by paying salaries, paying for supplies and equipment in a timely fashion, and providing a quality product at a fair price.

If Christian business owners accept meeting needs as a normal part of God’s plan, they will play an effective role in evangelism and discipleship.

Be accountable. All business people need some other Christian or a group of impartial Christians to whom they are accountable and with whom they can discuss major decisions or communicate personal problems or difficulties. “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counsellors they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).
Provide a quality product at a fair price. Value can be defined as the effective return on a purchase. Low cost does not necessarily represent value. When Christian businesses accept the standard for services and products that the Bible prescribes, the end result will be the best product at the best possible price.
Honour creditors. Creditors include those who have loaned businesses merchandise as well as those who have loaned money. Suppliers are often treated like a no-interest source of operating capital.

If the situation is beyond owners’ or managers’ control, that’s one thing. However, if businesses are simply choosing a cheaper way to operate, they are violating one of God’s minimum principles. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbour, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you” (Proverbs 3:27-28). Continuing to order materials and other supplies when there are already past due bills is deceitful.

Treat people fairly, especially employees and customers. Fairness recognizes that all people are important, regardless of their vocational position. “But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:9). The principle of fairness relates to employees, creditors and customers.

Creditors will be more inclined to listen if they get paid on time and are treated fairly. Customers will be more inclined to listen if businesses give them a good product at a fair price and stand behind their word.

Generate a profit. Any business must be able to make a profit if it is to continue operations. God’s Word says that it is His will for us to prosper (3 John 2). That mean that owners and managers are to work hard and be active participants in God’s plan for their businesses rather than observers.

Conclusion

There is no such thing as a “Christian business.” A business is a legal entity and has no spirit or soul. However, it reflects the values of the principal owners or managers.

Committed Christians need to give their businesses to God, live by His basic minimums for operating businesses, and accept the fact that they are merely managers of His businesses. God becomes the source of everything for their businesses. “I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, to endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill treasuries” (Proverbs 8:20-21).

Other useful resources:

Should I start a business?

Sample business plan

Six steps to prepare for the days ahead

Peter Crawford — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 20:24:15 +0000

Six steps to prepare for the days ahead

The Global Financial Crisis in 2009 uncovered an even deeper problem that we all face—it’s a crisis of the heart.

Anyone can see that our society is quickly shifting away from any semblance of a biblical worldview. Instead of seeking God for direction and help, it seems our efforts are directed toward the goal of prosperity at all costs.

As Christians, what will be our response to the challenges that lie before us? There is uncertainty over what will happen to the economy over the next 12 months. Increasingly some households are facing significant financial pressure as mortgage rates increase to levels not seen since the period leading up to the Global Financial Crisis. Media talk about the possibility of a recession is creating anxiety.

Here are six things that, if we do them, will prepare us for the days ahead. These will set the stage for a great spiritual revival.

1. Discover your God-given purpose.

Why did God put you here on earth at this very moment in time? That’s a big question that each of us must wrestle with. Did He put you here to live the prosperity dream, raise a great family, get an education, watch online movies, build a business, play sports, be a consumer? Write down your answer and carry it with you. Begin ordering your life around your God-given purpose. (See Ephesians 2:10. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.)

2. Decide now if you’re willing to suffer for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus exhorted His disciples to be ready for persecution. Paul said that he was ready to suffer and die, if necessary, for Jesus. Are you ready to make the hard choices? (See Acts 21:13-14. But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed in Jerusalem, but even to die for the Lord Jesus.” When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”)

3. Determine what is your highest and best contribution to fulfilling the command by Jesus for us to make disciples of all the nations.

Is there anything that needs to be moved out of the way so you can make your best contribution? Are there adjustments to your lifestyle or your use of time, energy, or money that will demonstrate your full surrender to the Lord? (See Hebrews 12:1-3. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won’t become weary and give up.)

4. Develop a financial plan.

Base your plan on your purpose, and prayerfully allocate all of your resources to it. Having your money serve you rather than the other way around will free you to fulfil your purpose. Remember, God is glorified as we demonstrate to the world that Jesus is real, our faith is real, and our peace is real. (See Matthew 6:24. “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”)

5. Increase your spiritual fervour.

Intentionally move from a life of independence to dependence on Him. We must be totally dependent on Christ and His Word, not our money, not our government. Jesus is our Master; we are His ambassadors. We should be full of hope, prepared anytime to offer an explanation of that hope to a wondering world.

6. Put the love of God into practice right now.

Until we put our faith into practice, it accomplishes nothing. God put us here, not to live a life of comfort, pleasure, and fulfilment of our personal dreams. He wants us to be a blessing to others, point them to Him, advance His Kingdom, and bring Him glory. (See James 2:14-17. What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”- but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?)

Conclusion

As the people of God, we must understand that God placed us here at this time to fulfil His purposes. Let’s commit to preparing now for the revival He wants to accomplish in us and in those we serve in His name during these times.

Managing time with a home business

Peter Crawford — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 01:08:23 +0000

Managing time with a home business

Working at home in a home business provides flexibility and freedom, but discipline is necessary to complete the work required. Proverbs 6:10-11 notes “A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.”

The following ten tips will help with managing a home business.

Start each day by dedicating it to the Lord. Our time each day is given to us by God: “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Before the workday begins, dedicate it to the Lord. Ask Him for guidance and for help in using the time He has given, as He wants and as He sees fit.
Schedule time for business paperwork and accounting. Set aside a certain time each day or week (depending on the size of the home-based business) to do paperwork. This would include filing receipts, invoicing clients, balancing accounts, and paying bills.
Plan time—don’t fragment it. Divide the day into similar things by category. Group all phone calls (mornings are best for phone calls), projects, and errands to be done at the same time. Finish one category before shifting to another.
Be productive—don’t procrastinate. Procrastination is probably one of the primary reasons why goals are not accomplished. By determining when is the most productive time, you can limit procrastination. Strive to work during peak performance periods if it doesn’t conflict with family time or the family routine. Home-based businesses must conform to the family routine, not the reverse.
Establish a routine that is acceptable. Home-based businesses do not have to be limited to a 9-to-5 routine. However some type of routine should be established—one that can maximize production without sacrificing family. You might;
1. commit a certain number of hours per day to the business, or
2. certain full days to the business and take full days off—perhaps working with the business every other day.
Know when to say No! If you commit to friends, projects, or jobs, you must honour those commitments. Before any commitment is made, be sure to determine how that commitment will affect your family, business, deadlines, or other commitments. If accepting the obligation will negatively affect any of these, the answer to the request should be, “No!” Or at the very least, “Not at this time.”
Organize commitments. List all things that need to be accomplished or commitments that have been made. Then list the time that it will take to accomplish or finish each task. Divide the steps necessary to meet each goal or accomplish each task into daily assignments. Maintain these assignments until the project is complete.
Schedule extra time. When making schedules, make sure that there is enough flextime. Pad all appointments and activities with a few extra minutes in anticipation of unforeseen delays or unexpected circumstances.
Evaluate the importance of all meetings and appointments. Many meetings and appointments waste time that can be used for more productive things. Some business can be conducted quickly by phone, online meeting, or e-mail, rather than scheduling a meeting to do it. Don’t hesitate to set a length to meetings and end meetings that become non-productive.
Have family co-operation. Business schedules and routines should not interfere with quality family time, but the family should understand and support an agreed upon business and work schedule. Family time is a priority, but the family needs to understand the value of being a good steward and maintaining good work ethics.

Conclusion

When God provides an opportunity for people to operate a home-based business, they need to organize that business and operate it with the highest level of work ethics if they expect it to be productive.

If God controls the business and if good time management is used there’s more likelihood the home-based business will be successful.

Useful links:

Should I start a business?

Sample Business Plan

Business by the Book

Business by the Book workshop

Business by the Book bible study

Peter Crawford crown@crown.smm.acme.org.nz

Ten Keys To Financial Freedom

Peter Crawford — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 23:54:38 +0000

Our top ten list to find financial freedom

Putting these principles and practices to work in your life will ensure that you and your family are not only on a sure financial footing, but also on the road to complete financial freedom.

10 - Build a Budget

Figure out why there’s always more month left at the end of your money. Develop a monthly budget and make it your guide to financial freedom.

“Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

Whatever you think your financial goals may be, you will not successfully achieve them without first understanding God’s financial principles found in the Bible. When you do understand those principles, develop lifestyle goals that reflect God’s principles and work out a written plan to implement them. This plan is called a budget, and it will lead you to financial freedom.

9 - Give it Away

Set your priorities straight by first making some contributions.

Give to God’s work; it’s His money anyway.
Loosen up those purse strings; it will help loosen the grip money might have on your heart.

“Be rich in good works. . . be generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18).

Don’t give in order to get. However, you’ll find that when you do give, God will provide you with more to give.

“Let us not love in word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18).

8 - Reduce Your Use

Don’t use your credit card so much.

Develop discipline in your spending habits.
Take away any security you might be using in case of emergencies, like credit cards or other avenues of borrowing. If needed, cut up a few credit cards.
Commit to go no further in debt and you will begin to reverse the process that produced your debt.

“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (Proverbs 22:7).

7 - Get a Grip

Spending (especially for indulgences) doesn’t lift depression. In fact, after the initial rush it can make things worse. (Yes… like right after Christmas.)

“He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich” (Proverbs 21:17).

It’s not the cost of an item that determines whether it’s an indulgence; its utility determines that. Do you really need it?

6 - Look at Your Payslip

Write the bottom-line number down, and then spend less than that.

Personal savings rates are lower now than during the Great Depression.
You can’t spend 104 to 112 percent of your income and continue to get away with it (although some people try for a while).

“I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your practice from your youth, that you have not obeyed My voice” (Jeremiah 22:21).

The key to staying out of debt is no secret. Spend less than you make, don’t borrow, and you’ll be on the road to financial freedom.

5 - Cook a Meal

Discover the kitchen more often and reduce the number of restaurant visits or takeaways.

Your spouse might enjoy meal preparation more at home if some help were provided (is that you?).

“Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honoured” (Proverbs 13:18).

Almost everyone enjoys eating out occasionally, so make it part of your “entertainment” budget. Then stick to the budget. Save to eat at a nice place for special events rather than squandering it on fast food non-events.

4 - Get in the Car

Take a local holiday this year.

There are interesting things to see and fun things to do within a day’s drive of where you live.

“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

People spend hundreds of dollars they can’t afford to travel thousands of miles to see things they might not remember next year. Has it occurred to you that people are doing just that as they come to visit areas within a three-hour drive of where you live?

Go local this year. Use the road to Financial Freedom.

3 - Don’t keep up with the Jones’s

They’re in debt, too (and you can be sure they won’t make your payments for you)!

“Every labour and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbour. This too is vanity and striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:4).

Envy is the desire to achieve based on the observation of other people’s successes. Don’t set your goals based on what others have. In the long run envy and covetousness will still leave you empty, because you’ll never have enough.

2 - Keep the Old Car

You know…the one that’s paid for.

Think about how many cars you need. Is public transport or even walking or cycling to work a possibility?

“Which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28).

And the number one thing you can do to find Financial Freedom in 2019:

1 - Pray Each Day Before You Pay

Emotional and spiritual balance will lead to Financial Freedom.

So ask God to guide you and give you strength to follow the first nine steps.

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Don’t be resentful for what you don’t have. Instead, be grateful for what God has provided. Financial freedom will bring contentment, and contentment grows out of an attitude of gratitude. Thank God for each day and ask him how you can serve him that day.

11 Tips to Nail Your Next Job Interview

Peter Crawford — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 04:10:22 +0000

Looking for a new job?

Working as unto the Lord includes preparing well for an interview. Viewing work as an opportunity to glorify Him should motivate us to prepare well for an interview in the hopes of being remembered at hiring time.

While we can pray for help the Lord’s help with our job interview, our success at the interview also requires effort by us to be well prepared and to present well.

Consider these tips for making a great impression at your first interview.

Eye contact, a firm handshake, and good posture are essential.
Dress nicely, professionally and modestly. You should avoid distracting jewellery, hairdos, or strong perfume/cologne.
Be aware of your body language! Sit up straight, lean slightly forward and keep your shoulders and hands relaxed. Don't cross your arms or legs or slouch.
Use mild hand gestures when you speak and remember to slow down if you're nervous.
Come alert and prepared.
Arrive 10-15 min early with extra copies of your CV.
Research the organisation and sector it is in (and the interviewer if possible). This will help you demonstrate interest with informed answers and pertinent questions.
Before your interview, practice explaining what attracts you to the organisation, how the position fits your career desires, and how the work of organisation’s leaders inspires you. Where do you see yourself in 2-10 years? You should be able to articulate your strengths and weaknesses without hesitation. Remember to take notes.
Be humble and have a good attitude. Appearing arrogant or too eager says you may be hard to manage, so listen well and do not interrupt.
Show appreciation to the interviewer. If the job they're interviewing you for doesn't work out, he or she could still be the link to another organisation and you may cross paths in the future.
Write and send a thank-you note within 24 hours (use professional, simple format email).

More articles to inspire you:
Does God require fathers to be the breadwinner?
A biblical perspective of work
Should I start a business?
Should all of us be rich?

Steps To Follow – Crown Financial Ministries New Zealand

Learning from failure

Setting up an emergency savings account

How Much Do You Need?

How to Start

Lessons from Ants

What about debt repayment?

How many savings accounts do you need?

Summary

Helping your children into home ownership

The main options for helping children into home ownership are:

This is a worthwhile option, even if the children have been able to save the 20 percent deposit required.

This has a similar benefit to an interest free loan but offers much greater flexibility. As parents, you keep full control over your money.

Basic business minimums for Christians

Basic business minimums for Christians

A business is a tool that can be used by God to demonstrate the truth of the Gospel. In James 1:22 we are told to be “doers” of the Word. A business is the perfect environment for living Christ’s truth.

Purpose of a business

Basic business minimums

Conclusion

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Six steps to prepare for the days ahead

Six steps to prepare for the days ahead

1. Discover your God-given purpose.

2. Decide now if you’re willing to suffer for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. Determine what is your highest and best contribution to fulfilling the command by Jesus for us to make disciples of all the nations.

4. Develop a financial plan.

5. Increase your spiritual fervour.

6. Put the love of God into practice right now.

Conclusion

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Managing time with a home business

Managing time with a home business

Conclusion

Useful links:

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Ten Keys To Financial Freedom

Our top ten list to find financial freedom

Putting these principles and practices to work in your life will ensure that you and your family are not only on a sure financial footing, but also on the road to complete financial freedom.

Figure out why there’s always more month left at the end of your money. Develop a monthly budget and make it your guide to financial freedom.

“Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

Set your priorities straight by first making some contributions.

“Be rich in good works. . . be generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18).

“Let us not love in word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18).

Don’t use your credit card so much.

“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (Proverbs 22:7).

Spending (especially for indulgences) doesn’t lift depression. In fact, after the initial rush it can make things worse. (Yes… like right after Christmas.)

“He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich” (Proverbs 21:17).

Write the bottom-line number down, and then spend less than that.

“I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your practice from your youth, that you have not obeyed My voice” (Jeremiah 22:21).

Discover the kitchen more often and reduce the number of restaurant visits or takeaways.

“Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honoured” (Proverbs 13:18).

Take a local holiday this year.

“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Go local this year. Use the road to Financial Freedom.

They’re in debt, too (and you can be sure they won’t make your payments for you)!

“Every labour and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbour. This too is vanity and striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:4).

You know…the one that’s paid for.

“Which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28).

Emotional and spiritual balance will lead to Financial Freedom.

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

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11 Tips to Nail Your Next Job Interview

Looking for a new job?

Working as unto the Lord includes preparing well for an interview. Viewing work as an opportunity to glorify Him should motivate us to prepare well for an interview in the hopes of being remembered at hiring time.

While we can pray for help the Lord’s help with our job interview, our success at the interview also requires effort by us to be well prepared and to present well.

Consider these tips for making a great impression at your first interview.

Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

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Psalm 27:14:
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."