Tell me your stories!

I have had a number of people who are already tithing, OR who are starting to tithe sending me stories of God’s blessing. Here’s on to encourage you:

I have been listening to you with different ears through-out this “bail out” series. I have been seeing some pretty devastating things lately with people loosing their homes and jobs; it is truly a questionable time.

Pat, I know what it is like to tithe, and I truly believe it is the right thing to do. With not having a commission check since last April; it has been very difficult for me as a self supporter lately (as you well know). With that, God blessed me with a very long and tedious “short sale, (oxymoron). Unfortunately with these types of sales commissions are cut and they can take more than 4 months to even get an answer or approval. Well, it did happen and I received a commission check of $6000, worked out, that would make my past income (for 10 months) $600 per month! Yippee!

So, I decided to go ahead and tithe the 10% which works out to be just that; $600. Pat, I have to tell you it was a difficult decision knowing what I could do with that money at this time.

The words I have heard so many times were playing over and over again in my head: “Let go and Let God.” So with that, I did and do. So here is the deal; about 2 months ago I executed a 2 month lease for a ball player during Spring Training, what I thought I would make was about $200.00. The other agent called and said once they have possession, she would send me the check…..the check will be in the amount of $600.00!

So, I let go. I give to God and God gives right back to me! Pretty awesome our God is!!!!!!!! I am working on not being such a control freak, relaxing and trusting that I will be taken care of.

Just a share.
Toni P

Have you got a story for me? Please let us know how God is working in your life and finances!

Controlling your money, so it doesn’t control you

So the series is over and now the hardwork begins: implementaion. What have you heard during this series that you are comitting to make a part of your financial life? What are you thinking about? What’s in the future for you? What has been most helpful? What would you like to hear more about?

Generosity

So we talked about the issue of contentment and giving. Content people are givers and discontent people are takers. We’re the most prosperous nation in history and the most miserable and discontent. 1 billion people in the world don’t have clean water, $7 billion a year for 10 years could provide clean water and basic sanitation for the entire world. We spend $20 billion a year on ice cream. The proposed government plan to “bail us out” of our mess is $700 billion. What’s wrong with this picture?

Jesus said, “You’re far happier giving than getting (Acts 20:35, the Message).” Are you content with what God’s given you or discontent? Have you ever experienced greater joy in giving than in getting? How could you begin to cultivate a heart of contentment with what God’s provided by actively practicing the art of giving to others in need? Have you considered the 3 month tithing challenge?

Try the Tithe

So on Sunday, I challenged our people to tithe, especially if they have never given it a go. I added a little twist to show our committment to the promises of scripture. Malachi 3:10 calls us to test God and see if He want dump great big globs of blessing on us. So I’m hereby calling us to try it. If you have not tithed at Genesis previosly, simply fill out the form on Sunday, begin tithing off your gross income, with a check. If you do not believe that God has blessed your life in 3 months, we will give you your money back. Yes, we are nutty bunch. God is good. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you ever tested God in this way? Do you believe He will bless you? What would keep you from trying the tithe?

Investments

So let’s talk about the two kinds of investments that we discussed today: First our earthly “portfolio”. Do you invest your money so that it is making money? How do you decide where to invest? What are you investing for? Does the bible factor in to how you invest your money?

Heavenly investment: Do you have faith in God to the degree that you trust Him with 10%, even when it doesn’t loook like you have it? Have you experienced God’s blessing in your life because you have shown faith in the area of tithes and offerings? Let’s talk!

Debt snowball

So I’d really love to hear your opinions on debt and the road to financial freedom. Specifically do you think you have been sucked in to this consumer culture? What about the ideas to regain financial freedom: Saying no (to purchases) for a little while so you can say yes for a lifetime, praying before you pay, and planning for a debt free future. Have you found other systems to get out of debt that you could share?

Lowering your overhead

Okay gang, this is a team effort as we experience our loving God’s bailout plan for us. There is no time like the present to learn from each other about frugality, cost cutting strategies and other money saving tips during our current economic downturn. So let’s here it: what are you have done previously, are currently doing, and planning on doing to lower “overhead” in your household?

I’ll start it off: Karen and I haven’t had cable tv since 1992. Nothing necessarily against cable (wow do I miss ESPN some days…), but we have roughly pocketed $7,680 in 16 years. Karen plays the grocery game which has saved us hundreds (yes, hundreds) of dollars on our grocery bill. I do some of our shopping at Costco and The Grocery Outlet which save additional fundage. We look for free entertainment whenever we can, check out dvd’s from the library, use stored up gift cards for date nights, among other things I’ll share later. Dive in to the conversation pa-lease!!

Perspective instead of panic

Okay gang, what I’d really love is to get some comments about this series. Specifically, what is it that you really need to hear from God when it comes to finances, your economic situation, anxiety about money, etc. Would love to get some good dialogue and ideas from you so that I can both dialogue with you, and incorporate what God is saying through you into future messages in this series. Let er rip!!