One factor ranked even higher than religion as a predictor of ethical behavior. A person s use of money and the willingness to give it generously, are the best predictors of that person s ethical behavior in other situations. The more tightly people hold on to their money, the less likely they are to make decent and honorable decisions in scores of little ethical dilemmas in which we find ourselves each day. Money plays different roles in our lives and in those of our families lives. It can be a deceiver leading us to think that money will bring happiness.
Money can be a servant, acting at our direction to bring order and satisfaction to our lives.
Money s proper use can be one of the best indicators of what our true values are. But we assign the roles that money plays. The role which emphasizes the human perspective, ownership, or the divine perspective stewardship. Consider what role money plays in your life as you consider this week what to estimate for your giving to what God does through our church in 2001.