Yesterday one of our pastors, Tim, preached on money.  The service was taken from Luke 12 and really spoke to some of the questions that I have been praying about lately.  Now Tim could have taken the typical sermon route and encourage giving to the church, but he didn't.  He talked about greed and consumerism....

These are the points that really hit me.  I think I probably am greedy, I use too much, and I have gotten to thinking only of myself and my family (MINE, MINE, MINE).  I don't think that this is what is meant for me...

I have never been good about tithing... I know that it is important... I know that it is something we are supposed to do, but I admit that I have just not been good about it.  I think on a certain level that I always felt I was exempt from giving money as I am generally willing to give my time, I work in a service-type job, and I do give money and stuff to charity here and there...

But I don't think that it is really enough.  I don't believe that it is what God wants from me.

So after prayer and discussion with Mr. B we have a plan...

We are giving each week with a purpose: weeks 1 and 3 are to our local church or within the community, and week 2 will be to the No Greater Joy ministry.  We decided to bring our kids in on this also and let them pick out a ministry that they wish to help for the final week.  We all decided to pick 2 kids from World Vision to adopt.  We were able to plug in the requests by birthday and gender and have 2 kids born on the same days/years as our kids.  Jett's child is a boy from Zambia and Shawn's is a girl from Brazil. 

I hope that this will help us all as a family remember our priorities and the words of Luke 12.