This week our God Money study focused on generosity. It all goes hand in hand, getting out of debt frees you up to give more and to give generously.
It always seems there are worthy causes to give to, whether it is helping during the Holidays, contributing to a building fund or buying a treat from a scout troop, all causes are worthy ones!
Following spiritual disciplines of spending wisely, saving and eliminating debt gives us the freedom to give...and give BIG!
Dr. Rick Garner went over four giving personalities:
The Tipper - I don't have enough, but give what I can
The Tither - I have just enough and give
The Giver - I have more than enough and give freely
The Steward - It is all God's!
Can you imagine hearing a story, a sermon, a mission request, answer the knock of a neighborhood child, and be able to give and give freely. It will greatly benefit our spirit as much as whom we give whom/what we financial bless.
Join us tomorrow at Southcrest at 9:15 as we wrap up the study of God Money. Join us for worship service and the kids can attend "Big Gig"; a fun and interactive church for elementary aged kids.
Allison
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Heads or Tails?
Can you make heads or tails of your personal finance? Visit a class at Southcrest as we continue the God Money study on Sunday, February 20, for Biblical answers. "A faithful man will be richly blessed," Proverbs 28:20a.
This past week focused on saving. Rick Garner states in the study, "Savings is the belief that God has a better future planned." That is a new perspective in savings...at least for me.
When we combined finances after we got married, my way of managing money made my husband break out into hives. Well, I should say, my lack of management of my finances physically made him ill. We are now a team and on the same side, I am glad to report, (not nearly, as much antihistamine is needed!) as we make plans for saving and such.
God Money points people to save for emergencies, major purchases and to build wealth. Saving is self-discipline and results add up as the account balance rises.
One popular strategy is to set up an automatic payment to a savings account during each pay period. It is pre-planned, automatic and as easy as flipping a coin!
This past week focused on saving. Rick Garner states in the study, "Savings is the belief that God has a better future planned." That is a new perspective in savings...at least for me.
When we combined finances after we got married, my way of managing money made my husband break out into hives. Well, I should say, my lack of management of my finances physically made him ill. We are now a team and on the same side, I am glad to report, (not nearly, as much antihistamine is needed!) as we make plans for saving and such.
God Money points people to save for emergencies, major purchases and to build wealth. Saving is self-discipline and results add up as the account balance rises.
One popular strategy is to set up an automatic payment to a savings account during each pay period. It is pre-planned, automatic and as easy as flipping a coin!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Are you shackled by shekels?
"...and the borrower is slave of the lender," Proverbs 22:7
The book of Proverbs is full of wonderful biblical advice that expresses truth through illustration.
We know this advice to be true, as debt can be an all-encompassing cloud that makes you lose sleep at night. This week's study of God Money looked at debt, how to manage it, and more importantly keeping it under control.
If you own your home, you have debt. This is not 'bad' debt. A home represents shelter for your family and will become an appreciating asset that will bring return.
'Bad' debt is mindless spending. This could be at the grocery store, a convenience store, the mall or my husband's favorite example...Sonic, (just a mere $2 and change for a route 44).
Dr. Rick Garner also classified uncontrollable debt due to unforeseen circumstances, perhaps like an illness or severe emergency.
Controlling spending via, (let us all say this together with a smile)...a budget will help free up some cash to spend down on debt.
As those debts disappear, imagine how you will feel! The vice grip of tension will subside and you can feel some true joy!
A shekel was the standard of weight and value used by Hebrews. When it became a coined piece of money, a shekel was equal to about 2 pounds of our money. That makes the Sonic run a bit heavier, (I opted for a medium today!).
God Money continues this Sunday (2/13/11) around the principle of saving.
The book of Proverbs is full of wonderful biblical advice that expresses truth through illustration.
We know this advice to be true, as debt can be an all-encompassing cloud that makes you lose sleep at night. This week's study of God Money looked at debt, how to manage it, and more importantly keeping it under control.
If you own your home, you have debt. This is not 'bad' debt. A home represents shelter for your family and will become an appreciating asset that will bring return.
'Bad' debt is mindless spending. This could be at the grocery store, a convenience store, the mall or my husband's favorite example...Sonic, (just a mere $2 and change for a route 44).
Dr. Rick Garner also classified uncontrollable debt due to unforeseen circumstances, perhaps like an illness or severe emergency.
Controlling spending via, (let us all say this together with a smile)...a budget will help free up some cash to spend down on debt.
As those debts disappear, imagine how you will feel! The vice grip of tension will subside and you can feel some true joy!
A shekel was the standard of weight and value used by Hebrews. When it became a coined piece of money, a shekel was equal to about 2 pounds of our money. That makes the Sonic run a bit heavier, (I opted for a medium today!).
God Money continues this Sunday (2/13/11) around the principle of saving.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
God Money...a study of dollars and sense.
God Money...does that sound like two opposing forces in your life. Many feel the pull of trying to be a good steward of God's time, talent and finances. We also feel the push of the world telling us what to do to achieve happiness with our dollars.
Southcrest Baptist Church has embarked on a church wide study of God Money for the beginning of 2011. In addition to studying a great curriculum from Dr. Rick Garner, Sunday school classes have combined. This allows a more seasoned life group to share experiences with a younger life group.
It is a great pairing in our class. Many of us looking forward to our family's futures have the opportunity to learn from others who have been there. Christian families who have put their children through college or who will embark on retirement.
This week's study focused on setting goals and developing a plan to achieve goals. Otherwise known as a budget. Planning is a tough thing for me personally. My husband comes by it naturally, and he actually enjoys speadsheets! But hey, it is a new year, a new study, a new me! Right?
"If it isn't written down, it isn't a goal, it is a wish," the teacher commented. Very true, (I suspect he likes spreadsheets too!). What do you wish for? Do you wish to spend more time with God? Do you wish for better family dynamics? Do you wish for improved finances? Putting a pencil to paper is a transition from a wish to a goal. In the area of finance, that is a budget.
I cannot help but think there has to be some freedom in the discipline of it all. Planning may help avoid a number of accounting pitfalls and may help us tackle a problem in the eye of a financial storm.
Make PLANS to join us for our next session, (Sunday, Feb. 6, 9:15-ish) about purposeful spending and debt. "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself," Matt 6:34. Dr. Garner reminds us, "Jesus said do not worry...not...do not plan."
Southcrest Baptist Church has embarked on a church wide study of God Money for the beginning of 2011. In addition to studying a great curriculum from Dr. Rick Garner, Sunday school classes have combined. This allows a more seasoned life group to share experiences with a younger life group.
It is a great pairing in our class. Many of us looking forward to our family's futures have the opportunity to learn from others who have been there. Christian families who have put their children through college or who will embark on retirement.
This week's study focused on setting goals and developing a plan to achieve goals. Otherwise known as a budget. Planning is a tough thing for me personally. My husband comes by it naturally, and he actually enjoys speadsheets! But hey, it is a new year, a new study, a new me! Right?
"If it isn't written down, it isn't a goal, it is a wish," the teacher commented. Very true, (I suspect he likes spreadsheets too!). What do you wish for? Do you wish to spend more time with God? Do you wish for better family dynamics? Do you wish for improved finances? Putting a pencil to paper is a transition from a wish to a goal. In the area of finance, that is a budget.
I cannot help but think there has to be some freedom in the discipline of it all. Planning may help avoid a number of accounting pitfalls and may help us tackle a problem in the eye of a financial storm.
Make PLANS to join us for our next session, (Sunday, Feb. 6, 9:15-ish) about purposeful spending and debt. "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself," Matt 6:34. Dr. Garner reminds us, "Jesus said do not worry...not...do not plan."
Welcome
We just launched our class blog. While there is currently not much "blogged," we invite you to give the class and Southcrest a try. We are currently in the middle of stewardship study called God Money, but it's never too late to start getting plugged in.
More details on the class are forthcoming.
In Him,
Dean
More details on the class are forthcoming.
In Him,
Dean
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