Career, life, and money wisdom from a pastor's perspective
This is the third and final post in a series on how to beat holiday stress. My first tip is about planning ahead. The second tip is about reducing financial pressure. My third and final tip is about managing expectations – not just your expectations, but also the expectations of others. [Read More…] about Beat Holiday Stress by Managing Your Expectations
One of the biggest causes of holiday stress is financial pressure – the feeling that you have to spend more than you can afford to provide Christmas gifts for family and friends. As a father of five children ages 12-22, I can attest to the fact that parents often feel pressure to spend more than […]
Christmas is the busiest time of year for many people – and double that for pastors and their families – with all the holiday parties, events, and church programs to attend. Not to mention the shopping and the pressure to buy the “perfect” gifts. All of this adds up to a lot of holiday stress which can rob you of the real joy of the Christmas season.
This week’s Bible and money focus is on 1 Timothy 6:17-19: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Christmas shopping and gift giving can add a lot of stress to our lives. Here are 12 ways you can cut down the stress and simplify shopping and gift giving this holiday season.
Wondering what the 2019 tax deadline is for filing your 2018 federal tax return? Tax Day 2019 is Wednesday, April 15, 2015. And the deadline for filing a 2018 tax extension is also Wednesday, April 15, 2019.
Call me crazy, but in October of 2018 I ran two marathons in two weeks – the Chicago Marathon on October 7 and the Grand Rapids Marathon on October 21. I did it for just one reason – to raise money provide life-giving clean water for people in under-resourced communities in Africa through World Vision.
Want to save big money on restaurant gift card purchases for the holidays, or any time? It’s easy if you have a membership at one of the big box warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club! On average, I’ve found that you can purchase $100 worth of restaurant gift cards at Costco or Sam’s Club for $79.99 – that’s a savings of 20%!
Is buying a museum or zoo membership worth the cost? Whenever our family visits one of those places, we’re faced with a decision: Should we pay the one-day admission price, or is it better to buy an annual membership?
I hate to admit it, but I'm just now getting around to doing my taxes this week, and should have them completed by Thursday. If you're getting a late start like me and don't … [Read More...] about File the IRS Extension Form if You Need More Time to do Your Taxes
Tax Day 2012 is April 17. If you've procrastinated doing your taxes because you're a pastor needing IRS tax help, I recommend you get the 2012 Zondervan Minister's Tax … [Read More...] about Last Minute IRS Tax Help for Pastors
A reader named Barbara asks whether her church's pastor should be considered self-employed or an employee of the church. … [Read More...] about Are Pastors Self-Employed or Church Employees?
Pastors needing IRS tax help still have time to get the 2012 Zondervan Minister's Tax Guide before 2011 tax returns are due on April 17, 2012. For years, ministers have … [Read More...] about Still Time for Zondervan Minister’s Tax Guide
