Jobs are hard to find these days, and we’ve all taken a beating on our investments. Although most personal finance writers tend to state a combination of the obvious and what people need (”get out of debt, and stop being lazy”), I’d like to take a different tact today.

I’d like you to think about how you can improve your financial situation, not because it’s good for you and your family, but because you will be able to help others out that are struggling. Time are tough now, and it’s likely that we will all continue to struggle and worry for some time to come. It’s important to trust in God and avoid a hoarding mentality. Some people have been saving 10+% of their income each year for decades. Although I’m not in that group, I hope to be some day. Until then even I need to avoid the “me first” and “protect your own” mentality and be willing to help others in their time of need. Who knows. You never know who your generosity might touch in the future.