Recent research conducted by Thrivent Financial identified five distinct attitudes people have toward money. These could also be talked about as five ways people in our congregations relate to all they have and own. These financial mindsets describe how people think and feel about their financial well-being – or lack of it.
Research has shown that the amount of money a person has does not, in and of itself, determine the person's contentment and sense of well-being.
Highlighting these mindsets and attitudes reflects why it's difficult to talk about money in our congregations, as well as the importance of not avoiding the subject.
Money is on our minds on a daily basis. Finances impact how we feel about ourselves, about our faith and about God.
For these and other reasons, our money mindset is a spiritual issue and merits conversation in our churches.
Following are the money mindsets we as U.S. Christians reflect:
- Surviving: Feeling trapped – 6 percent of U.S. Christians
- Struggling: Feeling strapped – 11 percent of U.S. Christians
- Stable: Feeling OK – 32 percent of U.S. Christians
- Secure: Feeling mostly confident – 38 percent of U.S. Christians
- Surplus: Feeling grateful – 13 percent of U.S. Christians
It's amazing that in one of the richest countries in the world:
- Nearly 50 percent of Christians feel financially insecure.
- More than 85 percent of Christians feel they do not have enough to share generously.
If you want suggestions on how to address these important issues within your congregation, contact your area Everence Stewardship Consultant.
For more information on this article and the resource from which it comes, Your New Money Mindset: create healthy relationships with money, by Brad Hewitt and James Moline, contact Beryl Jantzi at beryl.jantzi@everence.com.