Faith, Finance & Favor

This is a new series Pastor Dino is starting at HPC this weekend. I've seen recent studies and surveys that indicate that less than 5% of Christians surveyed or studied tithe consistently. I think its great how the whole country responded during the tsunamis in Asia last year and the hurricanes, Rita and Katrina that hit the Gulf last year. I believe the Church would be able to do even greater outreaches if even 25% or 50% of Christians were consistent tithers.

I understand why the vast majority of Christians don't tithe, because it really wasn't too long ago when Brandi and I didn't tithe faithfully. The American culture is now about borrowing money and being in debt to get what you want. The lending institutions have perfected the study of our wants and spending habits and combined that with a very good marketing campaign of getting us to get into debt. It's evident they are doing a good job because studies also show that over the past several years, consumers are going deeper into debt and saving less. In fact, the year 2004 or 2005 was the first year that as a nation, we saved a negative percentage of our income! We don't save anymore and we can't give because of debt. Ever notice who owns those skyscrapers downtown?

Even when Brandi and I started thinking about adoption, we knew we had to buckle down financially. We either would have to support a new born baby or pay for the adoption. We had alot of payments and little to give or to save. Something had to change, either the income or the out-go. Since we decided to have Brandi stay at home in preparation for a family, the income wasn't the answer and I can only work so much overtime. So, the out-go had to change.

Then, there was the issue of our giving, which wasn't consistent or sufficient. It just wasn't a priority for us at that time. But, a couple of things happened. We made the decision to make changes. We didn't jump straight to tithing, but we sacrificed (sold the boat!) and worked toward being better givers. Then, we got a hold of some powerful information. We stumbled across Dave Ramsey who is a fincancial counselor who wrote a book and has a radio talk show. He teaches common sense things, but he provides entertainment, engouragement and motivation. Other great information is anything by Crown Financial Ministries.

It's funny, because God didn't just drop a load of cash in our laps. He opened a door for us, in the form of biblical personal finance information and it was up to us to walk through it. It was up to us to admit we needed to change and it was up to us to make the changes. He knew we had to change our character, which would help change our habits when it came to personal finance and being good stewards of all He has given us.

It was very difficult. We miss the things we used to do and what we used to have. But, they were not necessities. We found out that even though we don't have the boat and we don't eat out 5 times a week, we are content with what we do have, which is actually alot. We weren't poor before we started this, so it really isn't a "rags to riches" story. It's a "good to great" story. But, the greatness isn't something we live in, drive, wear or where we go.

I believe on some level, we all want to be givers, we all want to be able to help someone. It really feels good to give something that helps others and most of the time, you are blessed by helping others more than they are helped. Not to mention that giving is being Christlike. We don't give to earn God's love, our salvation or score heavenly points. We give to become like Christ, the ultimate giver.

I'm looking forward to the series and learning even more and getting even more encouragement. We learned that we can only say so many words to explain the advantages of being givers. The real revelation comes when you actually experience the fruits of planting small seeds of faith in the form of giving. The giving and the fruits aren't always financial. For example, now that we are out of debt and follow a budget that we both have input in and agree on, there are less opportunities for us to argue about finances. I didn't say we don't disagree about things, but the opportunities are FAR LESS. There is no price you can put on having a "Happy Momma" in the house. Cause when momma's happy...