Watch the Yuan

Prices are going to rise at your local Walmart and everywhere else, also. The Chinese currency, the Yuan, used to be pegged to the dollar which kept Chinese prices low and the balance of trade very uneven. The Yuan is now cut loose from the U.S. dollar and has been allowed to rise.  Surely we have all watched the U.S. dollar fall to new record lows in recent days. Prices and wages in China have risen dramatically and in the U.S., we will soon notice significant price increases for all imported goods…that’s most goods for Americans. How does all of this affect us, as good financial stewards and as Christians?  Stay tuned for more.

 

Christian Capitalists

My sister and I  are devoted Christians. We’re also solidly in the capitalistic camp, as taught by our parents, and believe we should be good stewards of our time, money, effort and all that our Lord has entrusted us to use.  Do we believe capitalists sin? Absolutely.  However, we’re all ‘capitalists’, in once sense or another.  And we’re all sinners.  And somehow, in God’s providence, it’s all for His glory. We believe it is part of our Godly walk to learn and understand how markets operate.  Read this section of Proverbs 31. There are numerous phrases relating to this woman’s excellent financial stewardship and consequential blessing:

Proverbs 31

10  An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet. 
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.