Check out article on CNN.com examining the prosperity gospel, or in other words, that God rewards his faithful with both spiritual and financial gifts. It opens with a discussion of Jesus’ financial portfolio.
Rev. C. Thomas Anderson, senior pastor of the Living Word Bible Church in Mesa, Arizona, says Jesus couldn’t have been poor because he [...]

The Wall Street Journal examines the economic crisis’ dichotomous impact on houses of worship: fewer dollars coming in, while  more being asked of them. This impossible situation reflecting individual family budgets.
Across the country, congregations of all sizes and denominations are struggling with issues of faith and finance as the recession grinds on. Churches are scouring [...]

Continuing our discussion of Joseph and the financial lessons in his story: the Divine plan behind Joseph’s sale to the Ishmaelites and his ultimately landing in Pharaoh’s court is stated clearly in Genesis 50 as was foreshadowed a few chapters earlier.
After their father, Jacob-Israel dies, Joseph tells his brothers, “you meant evil against me (in [...]

Here’s a discussion on the pros of diversifying your portfolio, a concept that finds its roots in the Bible.
“But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead” (Ecclesiastes 11:2, NLT). Risks are really part of everything we do, and we should not be crippled by the fear [...]

In advance of their weekend sold-out appearance at Yankee Stadium, Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen talk to CBS about their message of hope during tough economic times.
“We just feel very blessed to be here, very humbled and just rewarded,” Joel observed. “The Yankees have been good to us, and it seems like it’s a time [...]

Apparently, the recession is leaving many families unable to pay for elaborate funerals and burials, and they’re now opting for cremation, ”even when their culture or religion calls for such customs.”
Many are turning to cremation as a more budget-friendly alternative.  The cost of a cremation, with the ashes either returned to the family in a container [...]

One more rite of passage the economy is impacting: Latinos are downsizing their daughters’
15th birthday bashes, also known as quinceañeras.

Facing the global economic crisis, Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls on religious leaders to help develop a “shared moral sense” to govern markets and the economy.  He spoke of the need to conquer fear with faith.
In a speech at St Paul’s Cathedral, the Prime Minister drew on religious doctrine in a highly-personal address which warned [...]

Interesting analogy by a freshman Congressman comparing the “bailout bonanza” to the Crusades:
The entire mess reminds me of the tale of Emperor Alexius I of Byzantine Empire, who called forth the Christian kings of Western Europe to help him hold off the Turks at his gates. “Help us,” he said. “Prevent the heathens from taking [...]

New survey shows Americans turning to churches big and small for financial in addition to spiritual support.
The survey, by LifeWay Research, a Christian polling firm based in Nashville, finds that 40% of pastors say they have church members out of work, and 37% say their church has increased spending to help the needy. (The survey [...]