Update #92

“Never worry about anything, but in every situation let your petitions be made known to God in prayers and requests, with thanksgiving. Then God's peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (ISV)

Jamie, Jodie and I with baby Rhys

I recently spoke with one of my regular donors and asked them if the financial “crisis” has had much effect on them. They laughed and responded with “our business has increased 60% - we are so busy!”

I asked once if they’d ever had financial hardship – and they said yes – but quickly followed with “but we still gave to all God had put on our hearts.” Then they told me several stories of how God would cover all their needs when they were faithful and obedient to give towards His.

Isn’t that just like God? This donor is generous…not just with me but with several others. This benefactor has been “sowing” their money for years and years and years…and now they are reaping a harvest! Ha!

I know several people who are monetarily blessed. I know several persons who are able to spend hundreds of dollars on themselves every month – going out to nice restaurants, buying new clothes, living in the trendiest areas, garnering the latest technical toys, seeing the newest movies, plays, ballets, operas. Not that this is bad – having a bit of fun is a good thing!

But who benefits from the spending in the end? Look at your expenditures – how do the personal investment vs. God investment profiles compare? For most Americans the former is very heavy and the latter is paltry. I recently was exposed the fact that more than one out of four Americans give away no money at all - not even $5 per year (C. Smith, M. Emerson, and P. Snell, Passing the Plate ). And this is in the CHRISTIAN community!

Why don’t people give? They worry that they won’t have enough for themselves, they worry they will invest in the wrong organization, they worry their money will be misused or wrongly allocated, they worry their money won’t get to the end user, they worry, worry, worry, worry – and keep the funds locked up in an investment account somewhere awaiting the “right time” to give.

The right time is now! When the world is battening down the hatches, when the world is pulling back, when the world is hauling in, hunkering down the Christians need to respond in the opposite spirit and GIVE!

In God’s economy givers receive; they are renewed and rewarded. God knows who his distributers are; he knows who seeds his money his way and in his timing. He knows who to keep “in the green.”

The challenge is giving up control and having faith. Surrendering your nicely allocated budget, letting God rearrange funds, and give to others when it doesn’t make sense. The hardest part is having faith to wait watch Him fill the monetary holes in his way and in his timing. Yep, it can be stressful; but honestly, you get used to walking the financial razors edge, get used to having God come through, and get used to telling “cool stories” about what God has done.

The question is do you want to put yourself out there on the razors edge and have God control where your money goes? If not, why? What are you afraid of?

Oh, and PS – tithing doesn’t count – the Bible says that 10% is Gods anyway. So, that means “giving” is BEYOND the 10%. What’s in your wallet and how are you going to spend it?

Updates:
Living – No bites on the condo as yet…we had a realtor walk through last week and I am hoping for traffic to increase. I need to sell before the special assessment kicks in.
Work – Our training weekend away or “The Big Weekend” (TBW) is April 3-5. Lots of “spiritual good stuff” happens there – I am excited!
Health – I revisited a local swing dance this last week and my ankle lasted about an hour and a half before it pooped out! Encouraged by this I signed up for a class…watch out Naug, I am finally learning Bal!
Social – My twin bed doubles as a couch in my living room…and it has had a lot of use lately! People have been dropping by for tea, to watch movies, have dinner, and some end up staying over…So Fun!
Finances – God is amazing. About a month ago I felt I was to go to a writer’s conference but didn’t have the funds to cover the fees. I opened my mail and there was an insurance reimbursement check that would cover the cost of the conference AND bridge toll fare! HA! Go God!

Requests:
Work – For TBW and for our upcoming staff travel schedule – South Africa, Indonesia, India, Nigeria, Harvard Area
Intimacy with God – To minister you have to be filled…not depleted. I need to stop by the fountain on a more regular basis!
Finances - If you would like to sow into what I am doing see the footer info at http://www.denaandrews.blogstpot.com/ or contribute at http://www.repurposing.biz/ for more information.

PS Thanks for praying for my friend Jodie – she had a gorgeous baby boy. Rhys Andrew Cottrill entered the world at 8:28am on March 16th!