Money is an exchange medium. Paper, metal, or whatever is valuable to the people involved can be used as an exchange. Money holds value because of the precious treasure it has ultimately been used for as exchange.
Many years ago, Patrick and I sat with a salesman in our dining room. When he finished his pitch, he thanked us for letting him come. He said that he counted it a privilege that we would give him a part of our lives. WOW! That statement has made a deep impression on me over the years. From his simple yet profound statement I realized that the exchange of our time equals the exchange of our lives. Our precious and treasured life.
One of the ways we exchange our time and life is at our jobs for a pay check. That money is then exchanged for valuable goods we need to sustain our lives and to help others live better lives. The truth is now evident to me that the money I spend is my life and sometimes others lives. For example, my husband works to provide for our family. He has exchanged his life for the money it takes to do that.
I can choose to throw away my life on petty items, poor food choices, useless entertainment, and unnecessary clothing, or use my life (my money) to build a life glorifying to God. It is so easy to spend my life on that which is foolish. It is a hard decision to daily place my life (my money) under the authority, wisdom and love of God.
Living God, you have asked us to choose life! You want to give us life abundantly! You are a living God who dwells within me. I fall so easily into the trap of squandering my life away by the misuse of my money. I want to do better! I want to give You glory through spending my life for You. Thank You for opening my eyes. Thank You for teaching me and giving me the opportunity to repent. I choose life! I choose You, Lord!
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Family Finances
Last Sunday our church air conditioning wasn't working well. My husband and i walked into the sanctuary and saw hundreds of bulletins waving in the air. As we entered a row of seats we greeted those seated behind us. I mentioned that I saw we had a new air conditioning system, while motioning to their waving papers. They agreed. I then turned my attention to one friend who sat quietly and I said that if it was to work we all needed to do our part. He laughed but continued to sit without helping to fan the air. Later in the service the air kicked in and the rustle of fans died down. Everyone was blessed.
It isn't just in the fanning of the air that we need to all do our part. Money has many issues that can be similar or unique to each individual. A family must unite to provide the necessities even if they struggle to unite on differing issues. The same is true for the Family of God.
Summer time is notorious for the church to struggle in finances because of the lack of giving. Members vacation and have many activities that take priority over the needs of the church. It isn't right.
Over the years I have heard many sermons on tithing and a general theme is that we must "Pay God back" for all He gives us. Can we really pay God back? Obviously the answer is no. I ask myself, "Why try?" I think that the truth of not being able to give back to God should lead us to look for the real reason we should pay our tithes with a joyful heart. The reason I offer is that we are a family.
Our church family must come together in unity to provide for the necessities of promoting the gospel. The Family has many parts that struggle with different issues but as a family we are obligated to work together. In doing our part, whether little or big, we draw closer to one another and find joy in our relationship to god and the Body of Christ with which we are connected.
The question is, am I doing my part? Am I dealing with my individual issues so that I can be part of the provision for the family?
Provider God, You are the Greatest of Givers. You give abundantly and without needing it to be returned! I have struggled so often with money issues and failed to trust You in providing all I need. forgive me! Thank You for drawing us together into a family where we can work together to be Your body to a needy world. Continue to open my eyes to how You desire us to give and do our part. Fill us with the joy of giving! You are our example!
It isn't just in the fanning of the air that we need to all do our part. Money has many issues that can be similar or unique to each individual. A family must unite to provide the necessities even if they struggle to unite on differing issues. The same is true for the Family of God.
Summer time is notorious for the church to struggle in finances because of the lack of giving. Members vacation and have many activities that take priority over the needs of the church. It isn't right.
Over the years I have heard many sermons on tithing and a general theme is that we must "Pay God back" for all He gives us. Can we really pay God back? Obviously the answer is no. I ask myself, "Why try?" I think that the truth of not being able to give back to God should lead us to look for the real reason we should pay our tithes with a joyful heart. The reason I offer is that we are a family.
Our church family must come together in unity to provide for the necessities of promoting the gospel. The Family has many parts that struggle with different issues but as a family we are obligated to work together. In doing our part, whether little or big, we draw closer to one another and find joy in our relationship to god and the Body of Christ with which we are connected.
The question is, am I doing my part? Am I dealing with my individual issues so that I can be part of the provision for the family?
Provider God, You are the Greatest of Givers. You give abundantly and without needing it to be returned! I have struggled so often with money issues and failed to trust You in providing all I need. forgive me! Thank You for drawing us together into a family where we can work together to be Your body to a needy world. Continue to open my eyes to how You desire us to give and do our part. Fill us with the joy of giving! You are our example!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Money
If the love of money is the root of all evil, I wonder what it is to hate money? I sometimes hate money. Sometimes I hate it out of fear that I am not handling it right. Sometimes it is just plain hating the idea that it controls so much of our lives!
Today Patrick and I sat down to do our taxes. It took a large part of our afternoon. I am so happy to know and trust my husband to understand the language and the reasoning behind the forms needed to comply with the law. I was the computer wizard for our excursion into the tax nightmare! We both put our knowledge to work in order to get this done. I also received a couple of bills today, that won't be easy to pay. Ugh! Stress.
Back to the love/hate relationship with money. The idea of trading our lives for a few dollars is hateful to me. I much prefer to give my life away out of love. I guess that it really is best to love what you do, to get the money you can use, to do more that you love to do!
I think I don't hate money as much as I hate that the love of money has taken a strong hold in our culture and the world. I love to give money when I have it to give. I love to use money to make the world smile just a little bit. I love to share my money with ministries that offer Good News to the needy. I don't love money...I love to use it for good!
I was so happy to give a little extra to church last Sunday! It is a good feeling to do something difficult for a good cause. My joy is not about the money, but about the reason for giving! Jesus is my reason to give.
Lord Jesus, You have given so much! You are the perfect giver! I can never out give You. I often hold back my giving and sometimes I fail to give with a cheerful heart. Thank You, anyway, for giving me opportunities to give. Thank You for providing me with so much which I can give! Teach me to balance the money offering plate with love for You.
Today Patrick and I sat down to do our taxes. It took a large part of our afternoon. I am so happy to know and trust my husband to understand the language and the reasoning behind the forms needed to comply with the law. I was the computer wizard for our excursion into the tax nightmare! We both put our knowledge to work in order to get this done. I also received a couple of bills today, that won't be easy to pay. Ugh! Stress.
Back to the love/hate relationship with money. The idea of trading our lives for a few dollars is hateful to me. I much prefer to give my life away out of love. I guess that it really is best to love what you do, to get the money you can use, to do more that you love to do!
I think I don't hate money as much as I hate that the love of money has taken a strong hold in our culture and the world. I love to give money when I have it to give. I love to use money to make the world smile just a little bit. I love to share my money with ministries that offer Good News to the needy. I don't love money...I love to use it for good!
I was so happy to give a little extra to church last Sunday! It is a good feeling to do something difficult for a good cause. My joy is not about the money, but about the reason for giving! Jesus is my reason to give.
Lord Jesus, You have given so much! You are the perfect giver! I can never out give You. I often hold back my giving and sometimes I fail to give with a cheerful heart. Thank You, anyway, for giving me opportunities to give. Thank You for providing me with so much which I can give! Teach me to balance the money offering plate with love for You.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
What Do You Have to Give?
There are many things we are given that are to be shared with others. God richly provides many things to us. He wants us to enjoy everything he supplies, but He also wants us to share generously with others.
We are lavishly rich in time, talent, money, and our testimony. Oh, but you say you don't have much time, don't have any talent, short on money and , well, without those you have little testimony! The truth is that we are rich in all of those things. Yes, we may find ourselves less full of one or more of these things but we do have them! god did not over look us when He was sharing His goodness with His people!
Time slips by quickly. If we fritter away our time, we will have none to share when a friend in need calls. I know that I let minutes pass by unnoticed and once they are gone I can never get them back. I often wonder where the time went. Some days I accomplish much and other days i while away the time given to me. It is sad that when a need is made known I sometimes have to say "No" because I've wasted my time and now the need to complete my chore is urgent. Time is a precious gift to share because it becomes more meaningful to us when we do!
Talents can sometimes be scary! Yes, they can be hidden because we are so afraid of being seen as a fool or worse that we won't be as good as someone else! The truth is that talents can be cause for others to ridicule us. They can be a source of pride. We want to be the best and so we hide our talent away because we are meant to sing in the choir and not do the solo! Our talents take work and sometimes we are just plain lazy. We don't want to do what it takes to improve or find our potential! Talents are a gift that should be shared because it brings joy and reveals God to the world! sharing our talent brings satisfaction and joy to us also!
Money given is life shared. It is really hard to obey God's whisper when I hear Him say give this much, when I only have a little for myself. The truth remains that giving out of our need is a blessing not only to others but also to ourselves.
It is true that our time, talents and our money is our life. The hours of our life have been exchanged for the money we earn. Taking time out of our day is an offering of our life. Using our talents is opening our lives to others. Giving our life away is a testimony.
So what do we have to give? We have our lives to give! There is no greater love that to offer your life for someone in need.
Lord God, You have lavished riches on all Your children! You have given us life and even when we have our own needs we still have much to give! Teach us to give as You have given! Let us offer our lives as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to You!
We are lavishly rich in time, talent, money, and our testimony. Oh, but you say you don't have much time, don't have any talent, short on money and , well, without those you have little testimony! The truth is that we are rich in all of those things. Yes, we may find ourselves less full of one or more of these things but we do have them! god did not over look us when He was sharing His goodness with His people!
Time slips by quickly. If we fritter away our time, we will have none to share when a friend in need calls. I know that I let minutes pass by unnoticed and once they are gone I can never get them back. I often wonder where the time went. Some days I accomplish much and other days i while away the time given to me. It is sad that when a need is made known I sometimes have to say "No" because I've wasted my time and now the need to complete my chore is urgent. Time is a precious gift to share because it becomes more meaningful to us when we do!
Talents can sometimes be scary! Yes, they can be hidden because we are so afraid of being seen as a fool or worse that we won't be as good as someone else! The truth is that talents can be cause for others to ridicule us. They can be a source of pride. We want to be the best and so we hide our talent away because we are meant to sing in the choir and not do the solo! Our talents take work and sometimes we are just plain lazy. We don't want to do what it takes to improve or find our potential! Talents are a gift that should be shared because it brings joy and reveals God to the world! sharing our talent brings satisfaction and joy to us also!
Money given is life shared. It is really hard to obey God's whisper when I hear Him say give this much, when I only have a little for myself. The truth remains that giving out of our need is a blessing not only to others but also to ourselves.
It is true that our time, talents and our money is our life. The hours of our life have been exchanged for the money we earn. Taking time out of our day is an offering of our life. Using our talents is opening our lives to others. Giving our life away is a testimony.
So what do we have to give? We have our lives to give! There is no greater love that to offer your life for someone in need.
Lord God, You have lavished riches on all Your children! You have given us life and even when we have our own needs we still have much to give! Teach us to give as You have given! Let us offer our lives as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to You!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Random Thoughts
This past weekend Patrick and I attended our niece, Lisa's, wedding in Canada. Visiting with family and hearing their take on politics in the U.S. gave me much to ponder. Here are a few random thoughts as I listened to those Americans living across the country from me and in Canada.
Obama is moving at a very speedy pace to make his plans implemented. Is speed a good thing when it comes to public policy? Is the push hard attitude right when our president has had relatively very little time in Washington circles, including his time as Senator? Could it be a good strategy to catch the other side off kilter after the blow from the elections? Certainly Obama is taking every advantage he is offered. He is making the best use of his power and convictions in the time he has.
I wonder if Mr. President is still assured in his ability to govern or is he scared that we will regroup and be stronger than ever after his agenda is revealed, to take from us our freedoms our hard earned money and our ability to govern ourselves with godly morals and high values for life, liberty and the hard work it takes to pursue happiness.
The economy was a major topic with everyone this weekend. Money was definitely more important than the lives of innocent people.
Words have power to push people in the wrong direction. It may be a family member that is belittled for mistakes or character struggles. Words could push a nation to believe in the subtle lies of the enemy who would steal our freedom, kill our values and dreams for a better life, and destroy who we are as a nation of citizens, who work hard to accomplish their personal goals that also strengthen and grow our United States into a world powerhouse. What kind of words push me?
I am convinced that most of us are sitting back and allowing the government to move us rather than us moving the government. We are quickly becoming a people that surrender our government by and for the people and embracing a government who governs by the power that sits in the seats of our governing bodies.
My red, white and blue heart cries out to my Lord God in prayer for our country and all of its people!
God Almighty, Stir the hearts of Your people! Awaken us to Your freedom and grace. Teach us the truth! Let our hearts be on fire for You and Your ways. May the fire in our hearts burn so brightly that others will be sparked into life. Let Your Word the wind of Your Spirit be the fuel that revives us! Send revival to our land and then touch Canada and Mexico and our neighbors far away on this dear earth! Let us stand with YOU and not forget that we are strangers in a strange land. In You we trust!
Obama is moving at a very speedy pace to make his plans implemented. Is speed a good thing when it comes to public policy? Is the push hard attitude right when our president has had relatively very little time in Washington circles, including his time as Senator? Could it be a good strategy to catch the other side off kilter after the blow from the elections? Certainly Obama is taking every advantage he is offered. He is making the best use of his power and convictions in the time he has.
I wonder if Mr. President is still assured in his ability to govern or is he scared that we will regroup and be stronger than ever after his agenda is revealed, to take from us our freedoms our hard earned money and our ability to govern ourselves with godly morals and high values for life, liberty and the hard work it takes to pursue happiness.
The economy was a major topic with everyone this weekend. Money was definitely more important than the lives of innocent people.
Words have power to push people in the wrong direction. It may be a family member that is belittled for mistakes or character struggles. Words could push a nation to believe in the subtle lies of the enemy who would steal our freedom, kill our values and dreams for a better life, and destroy who we are as a nation of citizens, who work hard to accomplish their personal goals that also strengthen and grow our United States into a world powerhouse. What kind of words push me?
I am convinced that most of us are sitting back and allowing the government to move us rather than us moving the government. We are quickly becoming a people that surrender our government by and for the people and embracing a government who governs by the power that sits in the seats of our governing bodies.
My red, white and blue heart cries out to my Lord God in prayer for our country and all of its people!
God Almighty, Stir the hearts of Your people! Awaken us to Your freedom and grace. Teach us the truth! Let our hearts be on fire for You and Your ways. May the fire in our hearts burn so brightly that others will be sparked into life. Let Your Word the wind of Your Spirit be the fuel that revives us! Send revival to our land and then touch Canada and Mexico and our neighbors far away on this dear earth! Let us stand with YOU and not forget that we are strangers in a strange land. In You we trust!
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