Tag: Stewardship

Faith and Financial Resources

Budgeting When You Don’t “Need” to Budget

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Now that our student loans are paid off, I’ve noticed myself get a little more apathetic in how I spend money. It’s a small thing, but this week I purchased organic (aka more expensive) chicken that’s now past the expiration date and spoiled. While it’s “only” $9 wasted, it’s a simple example of poor stewardship. I’ve noticed similar examples over the last year since we’ve loosened up on our budget.

Budgeting when you don't need to budget, blogWith this in mind, today I want to discuss my view on the strategy of budgeting even when you don’t “need” to budget. Perhaps you’re not living paycheck to paycheck, or you like where you sit financially. However, I’m convinced having a vision and plan for your spending along with a budget to track your goals can save tons of money and foster healthy stewardship.

Disclaimer: my emphasis in this post is on the ability to be more generous financially when we follow a budget and pursue stewardship. You can  use these ideas to help meet other financial goals, as well.

Regardless of your financial circumstance, I think it honors God when we seek to steward our resources well. For Christ-followers, we know our home is not on earth. Instead, we’re called to prepare for our eternal Home while we’re here (Mt. 6:19-21).

I believe as Christians we should have a vision for the finances God entrusts to us. If we know there’s numerous ministries, believers, and non-believers in need, what if we budget so we have more left over to give? Or, better yet, what if instead of thinking in terms of “left over,” we intentionally plan our budget to create margin to give more?

Take groceries for example. I know from experience, a simple budget of setting goals for how much you want to spend/month and then tracking your progress can easily save a family of two $60-100/month. Think about how far $60-$100/month could go towards giving.

I love Compassion International’s ministry of sponsoring children and families to release them from poverty in Jesus’ name. Check out the story, below, and some of the options you could support through this ministry alone:

 

“God’s Handiwork”

A joyful announcement turns into near tragedy as a mother grapples with rejection.

When Derebe announced she was pregnant, her husband told her to get an abortion or leave. After all, they could barely support their two sons. But Derebe trusted God to provide. She had no idea at the time that His provision would come in the form of Compassion’s Survival program in Ethiopia. Read full story here.

 

The story above is an incredible example of how our resources can change lives. Because someone was generous, the lives of an entire family were changed both physically and spiritually.

You can easily apply this example to several spending categories. Think about how much is spent on clothes and outward appearance. Decorating a home, the house itself, the car we drive, and on and on. I think it can be unhealthy to spend without a plan and/or discipline, or getting too caught up in what we want or feel pressured to have by our culture.

I think stewardship is having a vision for our money and how else it could be used. We live in a industry where billions of dollars are spent annually to make us spend more. If we don’t have a vision, I can guarantee we’re being taken advantage of and the industry is winning. Agree?

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy many things I don’t “need,” but I want to be intentional about the root of why and how much I’m spending. Is it to impress someone? Overindulgence? Insecurities? Pride? Or is it really a treat that I’ll enjoy with good motives and a healthy perspective? This looks different for everyone and it’s all about the heart.

I think my main battle is living in America where it’s so unusual to live with these types of thoughts and questions. We need each other to strengthen and encourage one another to live differently. God’s called us to be the Body of Christ for a reason.

For my family, I hope our lives look  different 5, 15, 40 years from now in the way we view God’s resources and our purpose on earth. I hope by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that we’re so in love with Jesus, and passionate for others to know Him, that we’re continually transformed in the way we steward God’s resources.

Lastly, I hope this post doesn’t point you to legalism, a moral approach that’s more about “I must give or God will be mad at or punish me” mentality. My desire is for us to be so in love with Jesus that we can’t help but want to be more intentional with this life.

Even as I wrote this post I was convicted of my own tendencies towards legalism. It’s easy to get caught up in what I think is good stewardship for myself and others. I constantly need God’s grace and help to renew my mind and heart in this area.

More to come on topics like this, but I hope this is a good reminder on the importance of stewardship and how it can change our lives…and the lives of others.

Please subscribe and let’s partner in this!

Peace and love to you!

Em ❤

 

Faith and Financial Resources

3 Scary Statistics that Point to Our Serious Money Problems

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3 scary stats that point to our money probsEver wonder how much debt and/or savings most Americans have? My curious mind couldn’t help think about this, so I went on a research “adventure” to learn more. Today I’m highlighting 3 scary statistics that point to the serious money problems in our society.

My hope is by shedding light on these issues, we’re all more motivated to fight consumerism, have a plan for our money, and encouraged to “swim upstream” in a culture who tells us we should live outside of our means.

So here’s what you’ve been waiting for…

Scary Statistic #1: average household debt

Check out each category below. Did you know the average household owes over $15k in credit card debt, alone?

household debt pic

Main Source ; Other Source

Scary Statistic #2: zero savings and no emergency fund

Shocked that 49% said they don’t have a savings account or have $0 saved??

savings and ER Fund pic

While the majority of us have thousands of dollars in debt, many don’t have a savings account or an emergency fund (often defined as 3-6 months living expenses). So while we’re indebted to someone else, we don’t have much of a cushion for ourselves.

I’m convinced even if someone’s on a tight budget, most of us could save for an emergency fund if we’re intentional about it.

Main Source; Other Source

Scary Statistic #3: car debt

car keys

“Today, outstanding vehicle loans add up to more than $1 trillion, with the average consumer carrying $12,000 of auto loan debt. The total student loan debt of the country stands at $1.3 trillion, not that much higher.”

Source

These facts are bad, right? I don’t share this to depress you, but to highlight the problem many are facing. We live in a culture where it’s normal to spend more than we make and not plan for the future.

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.” Luke 14:28

I think the information above is true because we compare ourselves to others, feel discontent, and make unwise purchases. I also believe we live in a “you deserve it” influence. The question as to whether you can afford it goes out the window if you “deserve” something.

So what if we got “weird” and crazy about paying off debt, using wisdom in purchases and savings, and started fighting the trend?

What if we bought a less expensive home than the loan amount we’re approved for?

What if we drove an older vehicle that cost less than the car dealer approved?

What if we cut way back on purchases that aren’t needs and tackled our debt or saved for the future?

What if we did all of this so we could be more generous?

Just because living outside of our means has become so normal doesn’t mean it has to stay this way.

My vision for this blog is to create awareness of our spending habits and an area where like-minded individuals (you and me) can encourage each other to view our resources differently. I hope to partake in the movement of thinking and living differently and ultimately impacting God’s Kingdom because of it.

 

Peace and joy!

Em ❤

 

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“If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat”

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My dream to be a voice about how we view and use our resources has been a dream for about 8 years. I chose not to take action on this dream because I feared what people would think (Would people like it? Agree? Read it?). Yet every time a motivational speaker would share or I’d see someone pursue their passion, I’d have that same stirring going on in my heart around my passion.

If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat. blog

Can you relate? Do you have something you’re inspired to pursue or feel a calling on your life? Do you fear what people will think or have other fears?

Today, I’d love to share that you’re not alone. I think it’s extremely common to have these thoughts and be held back from stepping out and going for it.

I’m just getting started with my blog. I have no idea how God wants to use me, but I’ve felt so much freedom and joy in just moving forward, stepping out in faith to pursue what I feel like God’s placed on my heart.

I’d like to share some questions/concerns I’ve had, along with how I feel God’s been helping me overcome these hurdles:

What if I run out of things to write about?

At the end of the day, any gift and/or passion is God-given for Him to use for His purpose and glory, and my good. If God wants to continue to use me in this capacity, I believe He’ll continue to give me things to write about. I play a part in this by learning, reading, preparing, etc. but, ultimately, my faith is in Him.

Besides, nothing I do will make a difference in someone’s life unless God chooses to impact someone through it.

What if people don’t like it?

I’ve got to remember who I’m writing for, ultimately. While I’d love to help people with their finances, and change the way we view our resources (myself included), I’m ultimately writing to be obedient and use my God-given interests for God’s purposes. Keeping this perspective helps me think less of people’s opinions. The moment I start writing for people to like and/or agree, I’m in for a mess of emotions.

How on earth can I please everyone reading this? Can you imagine how many opinions are out there, let alone trying to predict what people “want” to hear. Writing for an audience of One is way less stressful!

What if no one reads it?

Again, if I”m writing to use my gifts and be obedient, does it matter? I hope to help many people, and it’s been a huge joy to pursue this desire to speak into the topics I’ve been writing about, but, in the end, I want to please God.

I think we all struggle with similar thoughts, and I hope this encourages you that you’re not alone and to pursue your dream.

Bonus Points:

  1. What are people missing out on by you NOT pursuing your passion? You were made for a purpose and wired like no one else on the planet. Who could you be influencing, encouraging, or helping by stepping out and saying “yes” to your dream?
  2. Like I said, it took me 8 years to act, but the last 2 were spent preparing and reading books on topics I wanted to share on. You may not need this much time (and mine was spread out with various life distractions), but I think more often than not things take time to prepare for. Maybe you can’t pursue your dream 100% today, but what can you start doing to get there?
  3. I believe Satan wishes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). I think he loves making us afraid to do anything of significance. Realizing this, put on your war suit. Fight the battle…you’re not alone.

Lastly, I recommend reading Visioneering by Andy Stanely. It gave me direction and “arms and legs” to my vision. This also gave me fuel to step out, and keep going. It’s a short read, but a great one!

“If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat” – John Ortberg

Disclaimer: I love this phrase, but I’ve yet to read the book. I purchased it several years ago because the title inspired me. #dontjudge  😉

Ask any questions in comments below!

.Em ❤

Contentment in Consumerism World

Engagement Ring: Pursuing Contentment and Perspective

emifletLeave a comment

Why I Only Wear an Engagement Ring:

Blog-engagement ringMany people think I’m still engaged since I don’t wear (or own) a wedding band. This wasn’t planned, but something I intentionally chose after we got engaged.

Don’t get scared off…keep reading… I promise it’s a balanced perspective. 🙂

History of the Wedding Band and Perspective:

Before Drew proposed, I was learning a lot about margin (time, finances, possessions, etc.) and recently watched Blood Diamond. This is a movie based on true events of laborers in Africa being forced to find diamonds, a tragedy still going on today. I started thinking through the original meaning of a wedding band versus the focus and pressure our culture puts on finding the “perfect” (and often very expensive) ring.

I can picture the first wedding band now. I envision someone tying a piece of thread together or having the goldsmith create a beautiful wedding band out of metal.

Photo Cred: Met Museum of Art for far right image. This is from the 6th and 7th century…glad this didn’t stick!

While I love the meaning of showing the world you’re married, I don’t like how our society has taken the idea and run with it. Making a soon to be groom feel like the weight of his bride’s answer depends on the size of the diamond.

To support my point, check out these interesting facts about wedding bands:

  • The history of a wedding band dates back about 5,000 years ago and were often made from reeds or leather.
  • The tradition of a diamond engagement ring began in the 1400s.
  • Diamond engagement rings weren’t the norm in the US until ~1940 when De Beers created “Diamond is Forever” campaign to push the sale of diamond engagement rings.
  • De Beers is a leading company in the diamond industry (of course!).

I found these interesting facts from With These Rings and Today I Found Out.

Fight Comparison and Pressure:

I love beautiful engagement and wedding rings, I just think we have to mindful of the culture we’re in and to push back against the temptation to get caught up in comparison, spending more than we can afford, and often lusting after something because we feel like we’re “supposed” to have something.

I think it’s helpful to be aware of the original meaning of the wedding band, the purpose of marriage, and push back against the pressure placed on us. We should focus on who we’re marrying and the marriage we aim to build.

What’s Important to You (not other opinions):

I also think it’s good to consider who you are and what’s important to you. For me, my wedding ring is the only piece of real jewelry I wear or desire. My ring is simple, elegant, and I couldn’t imagine a better fit for my taste. I know many women who have a set and just wear their wedding band for the same reason. I don’t like expensive accessories (sunglasses, earrings, etc.) because fear of losing them adds stress. This also matches my general taste and personality. If I’m not working, I’m typically in Toms, jeans, and a v-neck.

On the other hand, I know women who really appreciate diamond earrings and other special pieces. Maybe their ring looks different than mine because it’s something they really appreciate. Some of my favorite women love dressing up and have a greater appreciation for jewelry (and you won’t catch them in Toms 😉 ).

So I’m not saying one size fits all here (no pun intended!), just giving another angle to view this topic through.

Can You Afford It?

And remember, apart from all the preferences, the question of CAN YOU AFFORD IT is key. Maybe you would appreciate something outside of your budget but need to wait until you and your husband can save for it. The wait is worth it! You’ll never hear that at the jewelry counter!

Does the Decision Honor God:

I’m still working through how we make expensive purchases in light of so many needs around us but, as a quick point here, I think we should always pray and ask God for perspective and wisdom in how we spend His resources. What’s the motives in our heart?

That’s a Wrap:

So, why do I only wear the engagement ring as my wedding band? For me, personally, I love the ring Drew gave me and don’t want to change it. He had it made using the diamond from his mom’s engagement ring and had a setting designed especially for me. I truly like it better without the wedding band that would go with it. I know if I got the band it’d only be out of pressure from what you’re “supposed to do” and not something I desire. So, unless it becomes something important to me and/or Drew (and assuming we could afford it), I love the ring pictured above.
I hope my story provides a different angle than what we’re constantly hearing around us. The point isn’t to avoid having a nice ring set, but to just ask important questions that bring perspective. What’s the meaning of a wedding band? Are you being a good steward of the resources God’s given you? Are we caught up in comparison and pressure of others and/or our culture? Who are you and what’s important to you?

I hope this post encourages you wherever you are in your “ring journey,” today! This concept can be applied to so many other things, as well.

…and I didn’t even get going on the wedding industry…I’ll save that for another post 😉

xoxoxo

.Em