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There was a constant background noise in my head.
Quiet thoughts saying, “You don’t really believe.”
“You’re a fake.”
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We talk to people every day who feel that quiet ache of isolation. Usually, the advice is to “call your mom” or “go on a date.” But there is a massive, underrated secret to feeling connected that doesn’t involve a three-hour heart-to-heart: The Power of Weak Ties.
In the 1970s, a sociologist named Mark Granovetter realized that our social lives aren’t just made of “BFFs” and “Family.” We also have “Weak Ties”—the people in the lobby, the dog park, or the office kitchen.
Think of your Weak Ties as your “Casual Cast of Characters”:
They aren’t the people you’d call to help you move a couch at 6 AM, but they are the people who make you feel like you belong to the world.
You might think these 30-second interactions are “pointless,” but they are actually micro-doses of social caffeine. Here’s why they kick loneliness in the teeth:
You don’t need to be a social butterfly to do this. You just need to be 10% more present.
At Centre for Effective Living, we know that deep relationships are the bedrock of a happy life. But don’t sleep on the “little guys.” Those small, casual “hellos” weave a safety net that keeps us from falling into the gap of loneliness. So, next time you’re at the checkout, skip the self-scan. Talk to the human. Your brain will thank you.
Article provided with thanks to Centre For Effective Living
Jennifer MPsych (Clinical), PGDip ClinPsych, BA(Hons – First Class) is a psychologist who understands that a good therapeutic relationship is the starting point of any meaningful work with her clients.
Feature image: Canva
By: Melody Tan
Yelling at children—especially younger kids—appears to be effective. They stop whatever they’re doing (or not meant to be doing) and start obeying you.
By: Alex Cook
It often surprises Christians when they discover just how much the Bible talks about money.
In fact, there are more than 2,300 verses on money, wealth and possessions. Jesus spoke about money roughly 15% of the time in his preaching, and 11 of his 39 parables. It was his most talked about topic.
This passage in Matthew gives us a clue:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus spoke about money not because he was obsessed with it or wanted us to have lots of it, but because he knew that money was a heart issue and one of the most likely reasons someone would not follow him or give up on him.
The money you have in your wallet has no intrinsic value; it is worth what the Government says it is worth. It is essentially morally neutral and powerless. The Devil uses money to seduce us, and that is when it can become powerful in a negative direction. He wants you to fall in love with it so that you will become a slave to money rather than its master. The flip slide is when we use money as a tool to invest in God’s kingdom; money becomes a powerful instrument of good.
Think for a moment about contemporary society. How many people’s lives have been ruined because they have been seduced by money? They choose a job because of what it pays, not because of the fulfilment it provides. In Australia, one survey said that nearly 60% of people would quit their jobs tomorrow if they had more money. Their job choice and decision to remain are heavily influenced by money.
Money is essential because how we think about it affects how we behave with it. Taking this one step further, how we feel and behave with money reflects our spiritual condition. When we hoard money, or are envious of others’ money, or spend money we don’t have (debt), then there is a good chance we have been seduced!
Jesus presents us with a clear choice:
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Matthew 6:24
The issue is simple – who will we serve? Will we serve God or will we serve money? Notice Jesus said you ‘cannot’ serve both. It is impossible; it is one or the other, and all of us must choose. I heard it likened to trying to chase two rabbits at the same time – it can’t be done!
Why did Jesus make such a tough statement? Because he knew that our relationship with money would profoundly impact our relationship with God. If we worry about money, we won’t trust God. If we are chasing after money, then it’s doubtful that we’re chasing after God and trying to advance his kingdom.
As with the above verse, much of what God’s word says about money is a warning message. God wants nothing to come between him and us. Sometimes God prevents people from gaining wealth because he knows that it will harm them. He is not trying to deny them; he is trying to protect them.
Lastly, we have a culture drowning in debt. It is so widespread and so ingrained that very few people, believers and unbelievers alike, stop to consider the ramifications. It is not just a problem at the individual level, but also at the corporate and Government levels. The United States owes $60,000,000,000,000. This monumental sum cannot be repaid and therefore won’t be repaid. The verses on debt in the Bible are all warnings. The Bible warns us that debt can lead to slavery!
How true that is today.
Why does the Bible talk about money so often?
The Bible talks about money so often because money is closely connected to the heart. Jesus taught that where our treasure is, our heart will be there too. How we handle money reveals what we truly value and trust.
How many times does the Bible mention money?
The Bible contains more than 2,300 verses about money, wealth, and possessions. Jesus spoke about money frequently, around 15% of his teaching and in many of his parables.
Why did Jesus talk about money more than other topics?
Jesus talked about money because he knew it could easily take God’s place in people’s lives. Money has the power to influence decisions, priorities, and faith, making it a critical spiritual issue.
Is money considered evil in the Bible?
No. Money itself is morally neutral. It becomes harmful when people love it, chase it, or trust it more than God. When used wisely, money can be a powerful tool for good and for advancing God’s kingdom.
What does money reveal about a person’s spiritual condition?
How someone thinks, feels, and behaves with money often reflects their spiritual condition. Hoarding, envy, overspending, and debt can point to misplaced trust or unhealthy priorities.
Can Christians serve both God and money?
No. Jesus clearly said that no one can serve two masters. Christians must choose whether they will serve God or money. It cannot be both.
Why does the Bible warn so strongly about debt?
The Bible warns about debt because it can lead to bondage and loss of freedom. Scripture often describes debt as a form of slavery that places people under pressure and limits their ability to live generously and faithfully.
Why would God prevent someone from becoming wealthy?
Sometimes God may prevent wealth because He knows it could harm a person spiritually. This is not about punishment, but protection, so that nothing replaces God as the centre of their life.
Article supplied with thanks to Wealth with Purpose.
About the Author: Alex is a licensed financial planner and the founder of Wealth with Purpose a Stewardship Ministry that helps Christians handle their money God’s way.
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