Money Manager

After listening to Chip Ingrim podcasts for a few months, I am a huge fan. He recently told a story about money management that painted a really cool picture. Here is the abridged version:

When Chip was a young pastor, he was approached by a board member named John who had a heart for the poor and hurting. He told Chip "You have opportunity, and I have money. Here is a checkbook with $5000 in it. I want you to be my money manager. When you see someone with a need, use this money to take care of it. Then I'd like to have lunch with you 3-4 times a year and have you tell me what's been done." This relationship went on for 7 years. When they would meet for lunch, Chip would go through the entries and tell John how his money had been spent, to which John would reply "Praise the Lord!" Chip says that no matter how much he gave away, more money kept being put into the account. What were the results of this relationship? John and Chip became close friends. Chip was able to bring joy to John's heart and he was able to help people in ways he had only dreamed. Chip knew he would give an account for the money he spent, so he spent wisely...after all, it wasn't his money! Chip was simply John's steward.

My first thought was "I wish someone would give me a checkbook so I could bless more people!" But then I began to see the picture before me. I am God's steward. He has given me resources and has appointed me his money manager. When I use God's money wisely it can deepen our relationship, bring joy to God's heart, and give me the satisfaction of helping others. I should be careful how I spend my money, because it's not really mine to begin with and I will one day give an account of my decisions.

I knew this already, but I like having the picture to go along with it :)

A Voice in the Wilderness

There are many charities in the world caring for people. But often when I am asked for money I wonder what my money will be used for. Will it go directly to the people in need, or be spent on salaries or marketing? This is one charity that has captured my heart and I can trust to use my resources wisely...A Voice in the Wilderness.

A few years ago, on an Emmaus Walk, my husband met a guy who does mission work with his wife in Haiti. They started a non-profit organization to help the children in Haiti, gathering support from churches and by word of mouth. The newsletters I have read are eye-opening and heartbreaking. The couple goes to Haiti once or twice a year and are very hands-on in their ministry, seeing the need with their own eyes. The following is a brief summary of the work they support there.

Feeding Program: The program provides children with one bowl of rice & beans every weekday. And some of these children take that one portion of food home to share with the rest of their family. The lucky family in Haiti eats one meal of rice & beans per day. Others eat "mud cakes" to stay alive.

Education: After feeding the children, there are a few teachers who educate the children...teaching them about Jesus, and how to read and write. The teachers get a meager salary, and choose to work even on their "days off" because of their devotion to the children.

Medical supplies: A few times a year they ship a container of medical supplies. Many things that we take for granted such as soap, vitamins, Tylenol, pills to kill the intestinal parasites they get from drinking the water, and much more. People will stand in line all day to get these items. (In my mind there would be nothing worse than watching my child suffer and being able to do nothing about it. Kids there die all the time from starvation and illnesses we consider to be minor. In fact, many don't even name their children until their 1st birthday because the mortality rate is so high.)

The thing that amazes me the most is that the Christians in Haiti have a stronger faith than many of us. They are forced to depend on God for their needs. And they are THANKFUL for what they receive. They live with a real HOPE of what is to come. When I think about the things I whine and complain about it makes me ashamed. Every time I read about the conditions other people live in it reminds me how blessed we all are and how much we take for granted.

If you want to learn more about this ministry, receive their newsletter, or make a contribution you may write Liz and Dewaine Seese at:A Voice in the Wilderness, 99 Cypress Edge Drive, Blairsville, Georgia 30512

Making a Difference

I get overwhelmed at times thinking of all the needs and hurting people in the world. There are charities for everything from cancer research to starving children to missions. There are people dying physically from starvation, disease, and abuse. There are people dying spiritually. There are people without jobs who can't pay their bills. Everywhere I look there are people in need. So how can we make a difference? Is it even possible? I am reminded of this poem called The Starfish:

An old man was walking down the beach just before dawn. In the distance he saw a young man picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea. As the old man approached the young man, he asked; "Why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?" The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. "But there must be thousands of beaches and millions of starfish, exclaimed the old man. "How can your efforts make any difference?" The young man looked down at the small starfish in his hand and as he threw it to safety in the sea, he said; "It makes a difference to this one!"

I alone am not going to cure the world of hardship and suffering. No matter how much time or money I give, there will always be others in need. Sometimes I'm tempted to do nothing, because I feel it won't really change anything. But that's just an excuse. God has been opening my eyes to the world around me. To the people and issues that He has placed in my life and in my heart. I don't need to feel overwhelmed with all the suffering in the world...God can handle it. What I do need to do is be obedient to what He is asking of me. Maybe there is a charity or ministry that tugs at my heart and needs my time or resources. Maybe there is a person He places in my path who has a need I can meet. I can make a difference, and so can you, one person at a time.

Sharing Our Stuff

Have you ever been blessed by someone giving you something for free? Something of real value given to you for nothing. My family has been. There have been so many people who have overwhelmed us with their generosity. We've been given meals after the births of our children. People have given us clothes and toys for the boys...so much that I have had to buy them very little (although that will change the way Jacob keeps ripping holes in his jeans!) Soon after moving here a family even gave us their swing set for our backyard. And I mean this was a nice one...not a piece of junk. We have been blessed with a babysitter that blows me away. I of course pay her when I ask her to watch the boys, but she asks to take them at other times and spoils them with her own money! I know the joy of receiving. But there is even greater joy in giving.

Now that we're done having kids and they are starting to grow up, I'm finally entering a stage where I can begin to give back. I want to bless others the way I've been blessed. When I have things of value that I no longer need, I admit that my first thought is to sell it. I've had plenty of garage sales...and I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that. But God has recently laid it on my heart not to sell any longer, but to give it away. I want others to know the joy of receiving something for nothing.

We attended a Vineyard church before moving here. One thing they did really made an impression on me. Once every month or two they would send out a newsletter that included classified ads. People could list things they had and no longer needed, services they had to offer, or needs. The catch was that everything was for FREE. It was a way for the church body to share their stuff and love one another.

I've heard of churches having rummage sales. What would happen if a church had a rummage sale, but accepted no donations? People could just bring in what they no longer needed and invite anyone who was interested to take what they could use. What kind of an impression and impact would that have on the community? (There's a KIA idea for you Brian!)

One thing I've run across that I think is awesome is a Yahoo group called FreeCycle. This one is for people who live in Ashland County. On the site people list things they have to give away or that they need...once again, all for free. It's so easy to give stuff away in this fashion because the people come to your house to pick it up! (And I've noticed that it is much easier to keep a clean house when I get rid of the "stuff" sitting around!)

Once again, I don't have a problem with people selling things. I've sold things in the past, and I'm sure I will in the future. But at this point in my life, I have been blessed so much that I can't help but want to do the same for others. The ideas I've shared in this blog are for those of you who feel the same way. Let's be an Acts Chapter 2 church and share our stuff with one another.