Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Budget 101 - Giving! (Week 3)



Week 3 in this series is Giving.  I know, your thinking why talk to me about giving - that is personal.  Yes that is true but I want to share two stories about giving, then give some practical advice.

First, I was visiting a relative a few years back.  Her home was gorgeous!  The kind that looks straight out of a Better Homes and Garden Magazine.  There was a pool, boat and it was in a tropical location.  Just beautiful all around.  As I was mentioning the beauty of all that was around - my relative shared something with me.  She said it was all a gift from God.  That it wasn't always this way, and that all the years of marriage their family had faithfully tithed and she felt that this was the blessings from God for that faithfulness.

Now I don't believe in prosperity Christianity one bit. The bible talks often of the poor and that it is better to be poor in wealth but rich in spirit.  However I can see how God blesses us - when we are faithful to him.

Now a more personal story.  A few years back my husband was laid off.  It is only by God's grace and will that we were able to pay any bills.  We literally had zero income at one time.  Yet each time a bill came God gave us the money to pay it.  He fulfilled our food and house needs EVERY TIME. We had just started going to a new smaller church and to say that money was needed for repairs is an understatement for our 100+ year old building.  I felt the call to tithe and to be faithful about it.  Then the hard time struck and I wondered... would I be able to give when we had so little and could barely and sometimes not at all afford our bills and food cost?


 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. - Psalm 37:25

God put it on my heart to give anyways and I'm so glad I did.  Every bill was paid and we never lacked food or warm shelter!   I believe it was a test to see if hard times would harden my heart!

So I'm asking you to pray about giving!  Really see what God has for you in this area.

We don't just give money - we give time, meals, clothing... it all is giving.

Here are some tips for successful giving:

1.  Set aside the amount FIRST  - Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase - Proverbs 3:9

2.  Set aside that money in your bill account so you don't use it. 

3. Be cheerful when you give - Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7


I hope this post has helped you.  As always any decisions you make should be with your spouse and with prayer and guidance from The Lord.  

 You can find the rest of the series here:

Budget 101: What comes in and what goes out! (Week 1) 

Budget 101: Seperating Funds (Week 2) 

Budget 101 - Giving! 

Budget 101: Thrifty Ideas For Stretching Your Money 

Budgeting 101: Emergency Money (week 5) #budget101

Budget 101: Spending (Week 6) #budget101

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