"What would your loved one have wanted to be remembered for?" At some point your loved ones will be asked this question of you. How will they respond? How do you want others to remember us by? What will be the one defining characteristic you will be know for?
Winston Churchill once said "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." What do you give to your family, your community, your church, your God?
God created us to give, but life tempts us to keep. The little voice we hear "If I give, there may not be enough left over for me. What happens if I need gas or groceries?" 10%. I should give 10% to do God's work? 10% seems like alot...I won't have enough left for my expenses. Let's look at this another way. You have 10 apples in front of you. You get to keep 9 of them. Nine is alot of apples! Suddenly that one apple doesn't seem like alot, does it? Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
Life is a gift, and everything belongs to God. John Ortberg (author) wrote a book "When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box". We are tenants on God's land. We are managers of God's resources. Now be fruitful and multiply and oversee this planet. It's mine, and I'm asking you to take care of it on my behalf" (Genesis 1:28, paraphrased).
It is challenging to tithe. Your individual circumstances may only allow you to give 2%. Can you take a step to increase to 5% or 7%? God understands where you are, and God will help you make the adjustments necessary for you to become more and more generous. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. (Luke 12:48)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Cultivating Contentment - Bible Study
We say that our lives do not consist in the abundance of our possessions, but we live as if they do. Imagine a wildfire is headed toward your home and you have ten minutes to grab what you can and flee. What will you take with you? Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." (Hebrews 13:5-6)
James Mackintosh, Scottish philosopher and politican of the late eighteenth century, said "It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are." In other words, we should be motivated to improve and increase our moral character, spiritual life and desire for justice and love. These are concepts that make us who we ARE. Are we content with what we have, or do we continue to ask God for the gift receipt to return our lives for new ones?
Four Keys to Cultivating Contentment:
1. Remember, it could be worse.
2. Ask yourself, "How long will this make me happy?"
3. Develop a grateful heart. Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
4. Ask yourself, "Where does my soul find true satisfaction?" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillipiams 4:13)
Five Steps for Simplifying Your Life
1. Set a goal of reducing your consumption, and choose to live below your means.
2. Before making a purchase, ask yourself "Do I really need this?" and "Why od I want this?"
3. Use something up before buying something new.
4. Plan low-cost entertainment that enriches.
5. Ask yourself "Are there major changes that would allow me to simplify my life?"
Remember, if you cannot do all the things God is calling you to do and you're unable to find joy in your life, perhaps it's time to simplify in some major ways.
*The above concepts are taken from "Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity" by Adam Hamilton
James Mackintosh, Scottish philosopher and politican of the late eighteenth century, said "It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are." In other words, we should be motivated to improve and increase our moral character, spiritual life and desire for justice and love. These are concepts that make us who we ARE. Are we content with what we have, or do we continue to ask God for the gift receipt to return our lives for new ones?
Four Keys to Cultivating Contentment:
1. Remember, it could be worse.
2. Ask yourself, "How long will this make me happy?"
3. Develop a grateful heart. Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
4. Ask yourself, "Where does my soul find true satisfaction?" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillipiams 4:13)
Five Steps for Simplifying Your Life
1. Set a goal of reducing your consumption, and choose to live below your means.
2. Before making a purchase, ask yourself "Do I really need this?" and "Why od I want this?"
3. Use something up before buying something new.
4. Plan low-cost entertainment that enriches.
5. Ask yourself "Are there major changes that would allow me to simplify my life?"
Remember, if you cannot do all the things God is calling you to do and you're unable to find joy in your life, perhaps it's time to simplify in some major ways.
*The above concepts are taken from "Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity" by Adam Hamilton
Wisdom and Finance - "Enough" Bible Study
Wisdom and Finance apply to each of us in different degrees. For one, the question may be "Am I heading for a looming financial crisis?", for another the question is "Am I making the most of everything that I have, or am I wasteful here or there because I can afford to?" We know many wise money-management principles, but like dieters, we fail to keep to our diet (or budget).
The Prodigal son in each of us is exposed. The word "prodigal" means "one who wastes money".
The Prodigal son took what was his, and sought a life of pleasure. Eventually the famine will come. Our modern day famine could be money for food, or the car could break down and we have a repair bill; maybe we have medical needs. We use our credit to pay emergency bills, and soon we are further in debt.
There are two primary money wasters that we all struggle with: Impulse buying and eating out. Two keys to avoid impulse buying: never shop when hungry and always have a list (and stick with it)! Eating out is a time-saver and a major money waster. How often do you burn money on eating out? Has eating out become a way of life or is it a special event? For one week we challenged our bible study to keep track of their individual spending. Results varied, but the overall verdict was the same - if we monitored these two areas closely, imagine how much money would be available for emergency bills, mission trips, and tithing.
"Money should never be an end in itself. Rather, it should be a means for accomplishing an end - specifically, for accomplishing our life purpose"(passage taken directly from "Enough").
If we are called by God to do his work, will we be able to live up to the task? Money should be used as a tool to accomplish the greater purposes God has for our lives.
Six Financial Planning Principlies were introduced to the study:
1. Pay your tithe and offering first. Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce (Proverbs 3:9)
2. Create a budget and track your expenses.
3. Simplify your lifestyle (live below your means). Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:4-5)
4. Establish an emergency fund.
5. Pay off your credit cards, use cash/debit cards for purchases, and use credit wisely.
6. Practice long-term savings and investing habits.
The Prodigal son in each of us is exposed. The word "prodigal" means "one who wastes money".
The Prodigal son took what was his, and sought a life of pleasure. Eventually the famine will come. Our modern day famine could be money for food, or the car could break down and we have a repair bill; maybe we have medical needs. We use our credit to pay emergency bills, and soon we are further in debt.
There are two primary money wasters that we all struggle with: Impulse buying and eating out. Two keys to avoid impulse buying: never shop when hungry and always have a list (and stick with it)! Eating out is a time-saver and a major money waster. How often do you burn money on eating out? Has eating out become a way of life or is it a special event? For one week we challenged our bible study to keep track of their individual spending. Results varied, but the overall verdict was the same - if we monitored these two areas closely, imagine how much money would be available for emergency bills, mission trips, and tithing.
"Money should never be an end in itself. Rather, it should be a means for accomplishing an end - specifically, for accomplishing our life purpose"(passage taken directly from "Enough").
If we are called by God to do his work, will we be able to live up to the task? Money should be used as a tool to accomplish the greater purposes God has for our lives.
Six Financial Planning Principlies were introduced to the study:
1. Pay your tithe and offering first. Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce (Proverbs 3:9)
2. Create a budget and track your expenses.
3. Simplify your lifestyle (live below your means). Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:4-5)
4. Establish an emergency fund.
5. Pay off your credit cards, use cash/debit cards for purchases, and use credit wisely.
6. Practice long-term savings and investing habits.
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