Reconciling faith and finances

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." - Matthew 19:24

This verse from the Bible is often misquoted, misinterpreted, and misunderstood. How do you make sense of money while being a religious believer? 

John VanDuzer is a marketing pro and fundraiser for charities, He delivered a seven-week sermon series that eventually became the book Loonie: Crazy Talk about Finances and Faith. (Maybe the Canadian one-dollar coin has a more perfect name than anyone realized.)

VanDuzer dropped by the Tapestry studio to think out loud about faith and finances.

VanDuzer loves this "modern psalm" by Thom M. Shuman:

The Mall is my shepherd, 
I shall always need more. 
It makes me lie down in mattress stores; 
it leads me beside coffee shops; 
it restores my greed. 
It leads me down paths for the sake of its sales.

Even though I walk the aisles of outlet stores, 
I am not afraid, 
for you are at my side 
your credit cards and coupons - they comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me at the food court 
in the midst of shoving shoppers, 
you anoint me with cappuccinos, 
my latte overflows.

Surely stress and debt shall follow me 
all the days of my life (and my kids), 
and I shall live at the mall 
every day of my life.

(c) 2015 Thom M. Shuman