A recent study found that 75 percent of people who see that their Facebook friends have “liked” a product click through to that product’s retail website, where more than half make a purchase. There is nothing new about impulse buying, but technology has made impulse purchasing easier than ever and has given marketers sophisticated new ways to reach potential customers. Teens, who spent more than $200 billion combined last year, are a target market; and advertisers aren’t shy about giving teens opportunities to spend money. LinC talks about managing money and using it in faithful ways. We’ll draw from the wisdom of eighteenth-century Anglican priest and founder of Methodism John Wesley who said, “Having first gained all you can and secondly saved all you can, then give all you can.” Key Scriptures: Malachi 3:7-12; Luke 16:1-15; 2 Corinthians 9:7-15; 1 Timothy 6:10. Summer is nearly upon us. Even if you already have a lot planned this summer, chances are there will still be plenty of opportunities to make decisions about how to use your time. Will you watch television or go swimming? Will you go to the movies or join the group from church that is volunteering at the food bank? Next week LinC looks at how our faith guides the decisions we make regarding our time, and we’ll do some planning for the summer: What do you hope to accomplish this summer? How do you hope to serve God and others in the coming months? How do you hope to grow in faith and love?
