Jesus talked more about money and
possessions than anything besides the kingdom of God. Why? Because he loves us,
and he knows that the handling of money and possessions can be a challenge for
us!
The Carpenter knows that many of
us need help in simplifying our financial lives, avoiding debt, living below
our income level, and seeing to it that our use of money lines up with our
priorities/life mission. Is our money going to the things that matter most to
us (and God)?
Last weekend those of you in
worship heard an extraordinary personal witness from Jonathan P. about his
own journey. At the end of his "St. Louis Story" he shared some basic
words about steps to financial freedom. Here is the outline of those steps:
Six Steps to Financial Freedom
Jonathan D. P.
REVIEW. How did you spend your money last month? Put your spending
into broad categories like: housing; groceries; clothing; utilities; vehicles
(including gas and maintenance); restaurants and entertainment; discretionary
spending; savings and retirement; charitable giving.
ANALYZE. What percentage of your
money goes to each of those categories? Do those categories align with your
heart? If not, then admit that your money and your heart are not aligned.
PRAY. It takes courage to admit
your heart and your money are not aligned. It takes courage to go against the
grain of society. It takes more courage to do something about it. The kind of
courage that only God can provide. The kind of courage that Jesus had.
PLAN. What would your finances
look like if you lived on 80% of your income, saved 10%, and gave 10% away?
Develop a plan to get there, and involve others in developing that plan. What
radical changes might you need to make? Sell a house? Make do with one car?
Make do with no car and ride a bike? There are several good faith-based money
management programs that can guide you, but remember that ultimately it is YOU
who has the power to control your own finances.
SHARE, REVIEW, AND ADJUST. Share
the plan with others you trust and that can help hold you accountable. Review
your plan regularly to help keep you on target. Adjust your plan as
circumstances change.
CELEBRATE!!! For small things
like not eating out for a week and for big things like paying off your credit
card debt. The most important reason of all to celebrate is that you are
freeing yourself from financial bondage so that you can do God's work and live
out the plan he has for you.
+++++
Following the worship services
people were emailing me and saying things like "in 30 years of worship
here I have never heard this kind of honesty and open sharing." Jonathan
said his email inbox filled up quickly with words of appreciation and people
admitting they need help.
The leaders of our church have
been praying about offering some kind of faith-based financial management
seminar designed to help people be good stewards and financially healthy. Watch
for more information about that.
I'm praying that we, as a Jesus
community, will let God work with us in how we see
-and handle- money and
possessions so that we (unlike the man Jesus met on the road in Mark 10) can be
free to live and follow!
In Christ and for Christ,
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