Have You Ever Noticed?

I was just thinking about it today, but have you ever noticed how offended people become when the church talks about money?
Why is it that we can talk about the most private and intimate of matters with people, including the marriages, their families and even their sex lives... but woe if the church talks about money!

Its certainly okay for the restaurants and retail stores to talk about wanting our money... but if the church talks about it... well we slag them and point the finger... we become cynical wondering how the leaders will be spending the money...

Common! Get a life! We pastors are on a fixed income! We may be wanting you to hand over money, but it certainly ain't for our benefit. We want to invest it into people... into the Kingdom.

The question has been asked, "How much ministry can you do with $10... and how much can you do with a $1 000?"
The answer is simple... "$10 ministry with $10 & $1 000 ministry with $1 000!"

I recon the offense is caused by our realization that we might have to give up our 'precious' (as Golem from Lord of the Rings would say).
The Scripture states it clearly:
Mat 6:21 CEV
(21) Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

Let me challenge you: Where is your heart? Follow where you spend your money and time... thats where you will find your heart!
Is your heart where it should be?
What will you do about it?

I look forward to your comments : )

$, $, $

My mom taped an episode of Oprah for me... Its was about going on a debt diet.
Weather we like to talk about the subject or not (God has no problem with it! There are 500 versus on prayer & 500 on faith & over 2000 on $!) it is of absolute vital importance we tackle this subject head on!

Because we have shyed away from this subject it is the primary cause of most divorces, causes untold amounts of stress, and prevents us from being able to sow generously into God's Kingdom and the lives of people! (did you know that there are over 2000 versus on the poor & injustice in the Bible?)

Anyways, here were the top 5 $ excuses:

1. I'm not good with $
2. You only live once (so spend it up)
3. I'm afraid I'll loose $
4. I don't have the time
5. I'm too old for this

Question: What excuses are you making?

Isaiah 32:8 says, "A generous man dreams of ways to be generous, and by generosity he shall stand."

Let me challenge you... what ways can you dream up of getting more $ so that you can be more generous?

Too often we just accept the box we are living in right now. But you can break out of that box if you want to!

Some simple tips from the show:

• Maximise your income (set an income goal, ask for a raise, develop multiple streams of income)
• Spend less than you earn (pause before spending, use a debit card instead of a credit card, shop around)
• Invest the $ you don't spend (set up automatic savings, you should aim to save around 10%, earn more interest)
• Protect your $ (get insurance, get a will)

There is heaps more to be written... but alas, that is for another time. Until then here are some questions to ponder:

• How can you apply Isa 32:8 to your life?
• What $ excuses do you use?
• Whats stopping you from being a generous person?
• Is generosity even connected to $ necessarily?
• Do you need to get out of debt?
• What are the things that you would really like answers on in the area of $?