Avoiding the Holiday Hangover

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13.8

Avoiding the Holiday Hangover
For many Believers the Christmas season is filled with busyness in shopping, preparing, fellowshipping and setting themselves up to begin the new year with unwanted credit card debt.

We could talk for pages about the real meaning of Christmas and how consumerism has exploited a well intentioned tradition. We could even regale you on the not so subtle Keynesian influences cajoling us to in thinking that rampant retail spending in the last five weeks of the year will somehow save our economy from a recession.

Instead we will take a more practical view of avoiding economic traps during the holidays. Whether, you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, the Winter Solstice or Fred Claus day, unless you are in hibernation between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, your spending will likely increase. So, we want to share a handful of wisdom, prudence and practical economic sense.
Shoppers around the country say they are planning to spend an average of $859 for gifts this holiday season, down from $907 last year according to the 22d annual survey on holiday spending from the American Research Group, Inc. That equates to over 20% of the median gross monthly income for a family of four ($48K). With the US savings rate slightly negative therefore, many families' festivities will be paid for well into next year.

Your traditions and spending plan may be just fine, but perhaps someone you know could be blessed by your sharing a few economic truths concerning the holidays. To that end we are providing a few suggestions to consider that might help someone avoid the holiday debt hangover.
1. Choose your holiday traditions prayerfully, and thoughtfully. Especially young families can begin creating their own. Keeping some old and creating new traditions that fit your family vision. It's harder to fire Santa than to have never brought him onto the family's annual payroll.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

2. Make a Holiday Spending Plan. Decide how much you can comfortably spend on gifts and celebrations this year. If gifts are a part of your tradition, make a list of all the people to whom you would like to give gifts. After completing your list, write down how much you would like to spend on each person. Be sure to include the costs of decorations, wrapping, and cards, and extra groceries in your spending plan.

3. Give Good Memories. Take a trip, plan some quality time with your beloveds. Keep in mind that some of the most appreciated gifts are not those that cost the most money, but are the most meaningful. Handmade gifts, such as calendars, photo albums, and framed children's artwork can provide a lifetime of smiles. Give your time and service to those in need. And never underestimate the power of a sentimental letter, song, or poem for that special person on your list. These heartfelt gifts are often the perfect choice.

4. Pay it forward by earning extra income to finance your holiday purchases. Many retailers need seasonal help to accommodate holiday shoppers. Taking a part-time job on the weekends will let you earn enough cash to avoid financing your purchases with credit cards.

5. Leave your credit cards at home-Studies have shown that people who use credit cards to buy gifts spend an average of 30 percent more than people who use cash. When you add in all the finance charges over months, or even years, that "perfect gift" could cost you twice what you paid for it, or more.
The holiday season is great for family, fun, and festivities. It need not be a drain on our finances. Never let twelve months of good stewardship go down the drain in December. You are blessed to be a blessing, and chosen to lead by example. I pray you receive this and pass it on in the spirit of getting understanding.

It is still better to give than to receive, and while this may the season for giving; our best is to give love on Christmas and every other day.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; Luke 2:10-11

Faith and Finances in Famine

Rod&Staff Enterprises Announcement


Faith & Finances in Famine

Rod&Staff Presents at Women of Power Conference
Wednesday March 18, 4:30
Blue Ash, Ohio Mar 12, 2009 Women of Power Women's Conference 2009!
"Agree with HIS Decree!"

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:30 PM - Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 11:00 PM (ET) Cincinnati, Embassy Suites, Blue Ash

Women of Power Conference 2009! God has assembled a great team of national ministry leaders to propel you into your MANIFESTED destiny!

This year's theme is "Agree with His Decree!" We will empower women to agree with what the Almighty God has spoken concerning their purpose and destiny!
The breakout sessions are designed to equip you to MANIFEST what God has spoken for your destiny once your heart and mind have been freed to agree with God's decree.

These sessions include;
501 development, Writing a business plan,
Writing and publishing your book,
Developing your Board of Directors,
Marketing in the 21st Century and much more!

These sessions are taught by the best in the ministry and professional business arenas. Say Yes to starting your business!


One of our featured speakers is J. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma Magazine. J. Lee Grady is the author of "10 Lies the Church tells Women" .

Come join us for Women of Power... and become ALL that God says you should be! It's time to MAKE IT HAPPEN! Just... Say YES... and AGREE WITH HIS DECREE!

REGISTER TODAY and COME IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD!
Rod&Staff Enterprises Session-Faith & Finances in Famine
The workshop will connect your faith to finances in a practical way and begin to teach you to gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can in good and bad times.

Rodney D. Swope and Jason T. Goodall bring the theory and practice to build the Kingdom and thrive through feast and famine.
Register the entire Conference or just meet us there at 4:30 on Wednesday.

Learn more...

Rod&Staff Enterprises
Rodney Swope
Chief Servant
email swoperd@rodnstaff.biz
phone: 513.699.7468

What is Biblical Economics

I’ve often been asked, what’s Biblical Economics? And, what bible verse demonstrates God’s concern for economics?

I love answering these fundamental questions. The reality is that there is no single definition of economics, and hence there is no single definition for Biblical Economics. As all learning is founded upon what we already know, so a definition for biblical economics must, too be founded on what we already know.


Biblical- of or relating to the sacred scriptures of Christians comprising the Old Testament and the New Testament
Economics- a social science concerned chiefly with description and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.


A simple combination of these terms would yield a definition like:


a social science concerned chiefly with description and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services based upon the sacred scriptures of Christians comprising the Old Testament and the New Testament.


This is a decent way to define it, nevertheless, I found that when I wanted to teach it to 1st graders, it needed to be more simple. If it could be taught to 1st graders, anybody could learn it. So we define as follows:


Biblical Economics- The study of God’s system of reaping, sowing, living, and growing.
Or
A Judeo- Christian Paradigm for conception (creative power), production, and distribution of resources.


This definition is all encompassing, it includes all that we do, and all that we hope for. Economics not only relates to Wall Street and the Federal Reserve Bank, its relevant to our daily lives. After all, satisfying our daily needs is an economic process. Even having a family dinner involves production distribution and consumption. In order to understand God’s system we are drawn to his owner’s manual (The Holy Bible) for advice, counsel, discipline guidance, correction and reproof.


What about the second question? What bible verse demonstrates God’s concern for economics? There are so many verses that do that, but if I have to pick just one, I reference Deuteronomy 8:18


God gives the power to obtain wealth in order to establish His covenant.


In this fundamental Biblical economic verse we see that God has a good purpose for giving the power to obtain wealth. Obtaining wealth is clearly a matter relating to the the conception, production, distribution, of goods and services.

So today confess Deuteronomy 8:18 over your life and especially over your economic affairs.


God gives (me) the power to obtain wealth in order to establish his covenant.

Who is ElderRodo

Rodney is called as a ministry platform builder to the Kingdom of Christ. His ministry is to equip the body with the skills to build, unite and usher in the imminent return of Christ. With over 20 years in international business and 10 years in active ministry he is uniquely equipped to apply the gifts of administration and leadership to the people of God in a way that establishes order leading to increase. As the founder and chief servant of rod&staff enterprises he is boldly walking out an apostolic calling to manifest the wealth of God’s Kingdom and fulfill the great commission in the marketplace.

A devoted husband, father of 3,and friend in need.