May. 1, 2007-What's Mine is His
I borrowed the book “500 Timesaving Hints for Everywoman” by Emilie Barnes from my library. I started flipping through it and Chapter 16 “Cornerstones for Money Management” jumped out at me. It didn't seem to fit with the theme of the book but I'm sure glad she put it in! Reading through the chapter, she got me thinking about what God has given me and how tightly I tend to hold on to it. (She has some great points, which you should read for yourself since I am not at liberty to share them here due to copyrights 
) I started taking notes and here are some of my thoughts:
In reality, God owns everything – Psalm 24:1. I KNOW this, but do I SHOW this? I like “My stuff” but these things are not truly mine, they belong to God. I am a care-taker of them. All of our possessions, including my children, came from God and belong to Him. Everything needs to be turned over to Him. That’s easy to say but harder to do.
In the book, Emilie encourages us to make a list of what God owns and we are stewards of, here is mine:
2. My home
3. Cars
4. Each item in my house. Everything.
5. money
6. Myself (he bought me with a price – 1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23)
Is anything I own more important than another human being? No. Yet, I’m convicted about my own selfishness. I tend to think “if we had more I would surely give it” then I remember the widow’s mite. We can’t wait to be wealthy before we start giving. It’s time to pour out (our money, our time, ourselves) and let God re-fill it. It’s another case of “we reap what we sow”. Another area of concern for me is being an example for my kids. I'm an example either way - good or bad. They are my most precious possessions and yet, sometimes, I'm too busy with this or that to be concerned with them at the moment. Ouch. I have to re-think how I'm spending my time.
She also writes about being content at your present income level in order to gain true financial freedom. “Contentment” – I think of 1 Timothy 6:6-7 “... godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
Taking our focus off God and looking (coveting) material things causes discontentment. We see this everywhere. I see it in my own home.
One more thing I really liked was Emilie’s statement about having a spiritual purpose in life. If our spiritual purpose is to serve God, then all of our resources become tools for ministry. (paraphrase) It is wise to set a “standard of living” for your family. Whatever God blesses you with beyond that standard, you give back to Him instead of gratifying yourself. Must I buy a fancier car, more clothes, etc… just because I can? God has richly blessed me far above the necessities but the flesh always wants more. I was reminded of this again this week while watching video of fellow Christians in Jamaica. We have so much in America – but take it for granted!
Of course, God doesn’t need my money! He doesn’t even need me. His will is carried out regardless. But we will receive a blessing by giving back to him with the right motive. He truly looks at the heart. He cares about WHY we are giving. Give out of gratitude and give privately so as not to become proud.
This has been my “food for thought” the past week. Sometimes it helps me to collect my thought and put them in writing! I haven't even read any more of the book - another 33 chapters await me.
Comments
May. 4, 2007 - Hello
Posted by JacqueDixonSoulRestES
Enjoyed this post!
Blessings!
Jacque
