I wish i could go to the bank and just get more time too! I think i often borrow time (generally by not getting enough sleep) and end up paying for it!!!!

But perhaps someone start a new thread for time spent on the internet? I started writing a reply to your mail to me, Rupert; all I wanted to do was say when I was free to meet next month. Then I followed the blog address - didn’t know you had one. Then I tried to understand the new word in the CCE vocabulary (missional), followed up the stuff on this thread about money autobiographies, and finally ended up on Paul’s blog. Controlling money is easy (for me). It’s my time budget which is in the red again …

http://www.givingingrace.org/i.....yauto.html

Of course, folks may wonder why I am so concerned about this since my satirical list of religious financial rules had avoid gambling as number one. I’m not sure I have a ready answer, but I can state the following:

- I very much enjoy a friendly game of Texas Hold ‘Em Poker with friends or family, and in no way whatsoever think for a minute that I am sinning or being unwise.

- I’ve been to Las Vegas and gambled a little in the casinos, primarily the slot machines. It was fun, and no different from spending money on any other form of entertainment. I think I made a slight profit.

- There isn’t much difference between horse betting, casino gambling, stock market speculation, investing in the stock market, owning a pension, saving money in a bank, or stashing tenners under your mattress. From one extreme to the other, it involves money and the element of risk. Is the trader that looks after your pension fund in the same category as a casino punter? Both may be taking high risks in an attempt to make a profit.

I suppose there are differences, and I suppose one of the problems with gaming is the addictive element. Its clear that people can become compulsive gamblers, whether in casinos or even in stock market speculation. Compulsion can eventually lead to clinical addiction. And I suppose that is when the problems really start.

So even while I am not averse to a good game of cards, and I am probably classed as a higher risk investor when it comes to my finances, I am in no way addicted to gambling or financial speculation, which is perhaps the dividing line. But New Labours willingness to throw the doors open to gambling and internet gaming really worries me.

So that’s what I would say on gambling!

Christians often seem to have weird ideas when it comes to money and finances, often something like if all they do is obey something like the rules below God is happy with their financial stewardship.

RELIGIOUS FINANCIAL RULES

1) Never gamble

2) Tithe exactly 10% (it doesn’t matter if you moan about it, 9.9% counts for jack but 10.0% pushes you into that automatic prosperity). Actually, its so bad to tithe less than 10%, we’d better tithe over 10%, just to make sure.

3) Get a crappy job and work for someone else. Running your own company is clearly not compatible with being a Christian…if you have time to run your own company, why not be a missionary or something? And isn’t money evil anyway?

4) Don’t ever become wealthy. Wealth is evil and Jesus was always poor. Emulate his simply lifestyle. Money is not the answer to anything. Oh wait a minute, I forgot Eccl 10:19. But that mentions enjoying wine, so it can’t be from God…

5) If you do happy to acquire money, give it all away. That way you are blessing others. Do not invest it so that you can give even more away, God does not need compound interest.

6) God accomplishes his kingdom by his Spirit, not by our money. So why even bother about it? There’s no point in saving and investing to resource God’s Kingdom.

7) Debt is demonic. Don’t ever get into debt. This includes credit cards, debit cards, loans from friends, mortgages, student loans, etc.

Using credit cards is tantamount to accepting the MARK OF THE BEAST. I have to admit no-one I know has actually said this, but I have noticed an aversion to credit cards from among the faithful. Mark of the beast or just wisely avoiding the debt trap?

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I love how you’ve flagged up generosity as one of the keys…I think that must lie at the root of any theology of money. As God generously gave Christ to us, so we respond with generosity to all. (Now, is that something like what Paul was saying in 2 Cor 8:9 ?)

i also think money is a good baromenter for our faith, how we use it says a lot about our spirituality, either healthy or in need of light/work