Why does money have such a hold on our lives? Two obvious answers stand out. One is that money is our security and safety, the measure of our achievement, the way we show love, and the way we deny pain. A second obvious answer is that money does not have such a hold on all people-most, but not all.

Why do we have such a hard time talking about money? Again, two obvious answers: first, money tends to represent our sense of self-worth or conversely our sense of personal failure. It feels like a measure of our humanity. We guard it with great privacy out of feelings either of guilt or of shame. The second answer is, again, that not all people struggle to talk about money. Often, such a lack of reluctance to talk about money is a good and positive attribute, though not always.

There is so much to consider regarding money, how we relate to it, and how it touches our faith. No wonder Jesus talked about money so much in the gospels. This Sunday's sermon is about money, faith, church, and our lives in response to an "Ask Jack" question. I hope you'll keep me in your thoughts and prayers this week as I try to answer the question in a way that is helpful, faithful, and honest.

Thanks for continuing to bless me as we journey together.  

--Jack F. Price

To read more by Jack, be sure to order your copy of Finding Faith: Honest Answers about God, the Bible, and the Church Today at:  www.findingfaithnow.com or www.lulu.com/buy (download available)

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