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understand their social responsibility\u2019 that they understand that they are not there \u2018to make money for themselves\u2019, that they don\u2019t get rich using people and that their \u2018business grows to give the families better opportunities of work and blesses the consumer\u2019 (A12ICD).\u000AFor these pastors, it is fundamental to emphasize hard work which in some circles of society has not been considered dignified. Benitez expresses his perspective about the issue in the following way: \u2018It makes me sad to see young men in the corners of our towns during work hours, watching the world go by, chatting and philosophising about things they never do. There is nothing more worthy of admiration than a person who does more than is expected of him\u2019 (2002: 85). This commentary reveals a lack of initiative and motivation for productive work. The NPS generally consider work to be a blessing from God. They say that all Christians, because God has chosen them, should be responsible workmen, and all work should be done for God\u2019s glory.\u000AGooren found a similar tendency among Neo-Pentecostal micro-businesses in a marginal area of Guatemala City. He discovered certain parallels between their ideas and the Protestant work ethic. Among his informants he observed the following conduct: Responsibility and individual action in their life style; a link between daily life and the sacred; work as a divine calling; business successes as a sign of God\u2019s favour and a sober life style which emphasizes self discipline. Gooren notes that of the five key elements found, action and individual responsibility was the most important for his informants (1999: 218-22).\u000AThe NPS also give equal importance to saving. Benitez affirms that frugality \u2018speaks to us about stewardship, it asks us to be austere, not to waste money; it speaks to us about saving money\u2019. And later he adds, \u2018we parents should teach our children to be frugal, not creating in them love of money. But rather we need to seek the common good to get as a sub-product economic sufficiency\u2019 (2002: 23). Eduardo Palacios104 a financial consultant\u000A104 Palacios is a medical doctor and member of the \u2018Fraternidad Cristiana de Guatemala\u2019. He has developed a series of articles in secular and religious periodicals in the areas of finance, entrepreneurial skills, and use of money, among others.\u000A204\u000A