What were the Purtian views on financial stewardship? How can they apply to us today?
Many of us struggle with managing our finances well (I wouldn't have started this thread if I have not had a checkered financial past). I am not a personal financial counselor, and this post is not a poor substitute for that purpose. I am genuinely interested in how the Puritans would have viewed financial responsibility.
One of the common responses I have heard for not being able to give generously to the Lord's work is, "I have a lot of debt. It takes everything I make in order to pay the bills and my creditors. If I give to the church, I won't be able to meet my other obligations. Isn't that contributing to a poor witness if I can't pay my bills?" How does one answer that question? For starters, there is almost always some extra money left over after the bills are paid. These families will hardly deny themselves a vacation or going out to dinner. Still, some may be honest. They have nothing left. Do they tithe/give anyway? I have heard differing opinions. One opinion is, "Give anyway. Give your decided amount (whether it be 10% or a set amount) each week/month. Don't worry about your bills. Give first and God will provide what you need." The other school of thought is, "You have obligated yourself to the world and you need to take care of that debt first. Direct all your resources to paying off that debt. Give something to the Lord, if you can, but pay off that debt post-haste."
In addition to my inquiry into Puritan views of giving, any opinions on the previous paragraph?
Many of us struggle with managing our finances well (I wouldn't have started this thread if I have not had a checkered financial past). I am not a personal financial counselor, and this post is not a poor substitute for that purpose. I am genuinely interested in how the Puritans would have viewed financial responsibility.
One of the common responses I have heard for not being able to give generously to the Lord's work is, "I have a lot of debt. It takes everything I make in order to pay the bills and my creditors. If I give to the church, I won't be able to meet my other obligations. Isn't that contributing to a poor witness if I can't pay my bills?" How does one answer that question? For starters, there is almost always some extra money left over after the bills are paid. These families will hardly deny themselves a vacation or going out to dinner. Still, some may be honest. They have nothing left. Do they tithe/give anyway? I have heard differing opinions. One opinion is, "Give anyway. Give your decided amount (whether it be 10% or a set amount) each week/month. Don't worry about your bills. Give first and God will provide what you need." The other school of thought is, "You have obligated yourself to the world and you need to take care of that debt first. Direct all your resources to paying off that debt. Give something to the Lord, if you can, but pay off that debt post-haste."
In addition to my inquiry into Puritan views of giving, any opinions on the previous paragraph?
