catapult magazine

After reading this weeks new issue I feel more confused than ever. My wife and I have been struggling more each year as we try to figure out our finances. We scraped by for our first three years in South Florida but now find that we have had a chance to start a savings account for the first time since we’ve been married. It kind of feels like winning a very tiny lottery at the end of the month.
I’ve heard it said that Christians shouldn’t buy Cadillacs (or other new expensive vehicles). This phrase has always bothered me. It bothers me because it seems a bit simplistic and it bothers me because it seems a bit right. Amy and I have rented since we’ve been married and we have dedicated our savings to a down payment on our first house, hopefully in about a year and a half. We’ve recently bought a little life insurance to make sure Alex (our son) is taken care of if something should happen to us. We’re tithing (or very nearly, I’ll have to double check) to our church. But we still think that there could be more that we can do.
I’ve thought before that tithing could be more than just monetary gifts. I’d like to tithe my free time as well. There are so many good volunteer opportunities in Sheboygan county. But that doesn’t seem to be enough either.
Several months ago Rob, Kirstin, Grant and Kristin came for a short weekend visit (too long ago guys, by the way). We had some fantastic discussions, one of which touched on stewardship and our responsibilities to God and to our communities and to ourselves and how they’re all kind of wrapped up into eachother.
My point. I still have no idea how they’re wrapped up! I still feel guilty about the meager offerings we can make to church, to community, to CINO, but I also feel guilty about the meager offerings we can make to our own financial security. And yes, I think personal financial security is important. I pray about this and it seems that we’re doing a pretty good job, but I second guess everything.
Does anybody else have these concerns? How do others handle this? To what extent does money management make you a good Christian, community member, family man (or woman)?

The one subject I resist discussing because it strikes such a nerve. Can’t say that I have many answers either. I have always felt that tithing goes beyond the monetary, but still feel guilty when I let the plate pass by…why is that?

Still have no savings account…we dedicate most of our “extra” money to debt reduction. We feel strongly about getting out of debt (not only from the creditors, but also from the family “loans”). We sponsor a child overseas. We try to donate to causes that we feel are condusive to answering the convictions we feel as Christians and human beings. We make attempts to prepare for our children should the worse happen.

The truth is that this is the first time in our marriage that I am able to support my family without my wife having to work (she still has a small part time job at home that allows keeps us digging out of the debt pile). I guess I am just thankful that we are where we are. God has been very good to us and provided for our needs in some of the most troubling times and the most easy times.

I don’t think God cares what kind of vehicle you drive (SUV or Cadillac) but cares more about how you use the resources that you have. He doesn’t expect us to be poor and miserable, though sometimes we have to struggle through those times to reckognize our unparalleled need for Him.

My wife and I had a discussion not too long ago about people we have known growing up who refused to advance in their carreers, refused to make more money out of fear that they would be doing their spiritual lives a great disservice if they weren’t eternally struggling. I don’t know, it just doesn’t seem like a God who “owns the cattle on a thousand hills” would want his children to suffer financially. I don’t agree with the “get rich quick” or “health wealth and prosperity” antics of some Christians, but also don’t feel its wrong to reap the fruit of your labor. It is all God’s in actuality.

I guess stewardship is best noted as what you do with what He has entrusted you with. It is all encompassing…not just financial. Time, relationships, love, compassion…down to every breath we take – how are we using all that He has given us for His sake.

Like I said, the one subject I try to avoid because it is the most confusing and concerning at times.

I think I just confused it more.

Not at all Jabird. I really appreciate your input. You may not have answered many questions, but it’s nice to know other people are asking similar ones.
I find myself, sometimes, asking God for more money. I know that’s not the right way to do things, though my motivations I think are pure. The thing is, the more I struggle over what to do with the ammount we’re bringing in, the more I realize how much more I would struggle should the ammount increase. Can we live comfortably on $25,000 if we’re making $75,000? (If ever we get close to that). If we ever have a thousand left over at the end of a year do we invest it to turn it into more money to give or do we give it right away?
Investing and money management for Christians isn’t as simple as some books and people make it out to be. Then again, maybe it shouldn’t be.
BBC, with different living arrangements than most of us are used to, do you have any insights on fiscal responsibility?
Others?

Thanks for the comments from both of you. This issue has always been really hard for me too. I’ve always struggled with what is obedient as far as money is concerned. It’s been complicated for me because my father owns a business, and we have differing opinions on what money is for (among many, many other things). I’ve never been able to feel like I’m being very obedient about it, and I find that it is true—the more I have, even if I try to have good intentions, the more I love the money and things…I went through a time in college when I wanted to give it all away. I still think about that. Although I do think that investing can be obedient too. I’m not sure how to balance everything, or if that’s even the way to look at it. I think I’m just as confused about it as you two!

I guess this is where the biblical understanding of “when you are faithful with little…you are given more” is but into a practice of faith. Recently, my wife and I struggled week to week (sometimes day to day) not knowing when the next dime was going to roll in. While we struggled financially (and I cannot tell you what an incredible struggle it was) we found ourselves depending more and more on God’s faithfulness. It never failed, just when something was absolutely needed, the finances showed up. Believe me, we asked God for money, but more so we asked Him to meet our needs in whatever capacity He felt necessary. It wasn’t until 7 months ago that He gave us a great job that not only was in the field that I longed to work in, but meets our financial needs. We still don’t have a whole lot of excess, and that is ok. We believe, without hesitation, that when and if need arises, that He will take care of us.

As far as what to do with any “left overs”, I don’t have much experience in that. I imagine that God gave you a conscience as well as common sense. Seek His guidance, and if nothing is “spoken to you” then just be wise and faithful as a steward with what He has entrusted you with.

I will add that when the Master gave the servants the money to “invest”, the one with the greatest return on his investment was given more. Ther is something to be said about wisely investing what God has given you to increase it. Ok I am done.

i don’t really have anything to add to the theories here, but i’ve noticed several ads in magazines we receive for investment funds that only support socially/environmentally responsible businesses. not that we have anything to invest, but it’s something i’m keeping in mind for the future. here are a few that i’ve found:

Calvert http://www.calvert.com
Pax World http://www.paxfund.com
Parnassus Equity Income Fund http://www.parnassus.com
MMA Praxis Mutual Funds http://www.mmapraxis.com
Sarona Global Investment Fund http://www.saronafund.com

does anyone have any experience with any of these companies?

and back to the theory, is it more appealing to think of investing in personal financial security when that is carried out by investing in companies that do business with integrity?

Most definitely. I love giving money to church and to charities because it feels like I am doing something God wants me to do. Investing in companies with a record of social and environmental support feels like I’m doing the right thing. We recently looked into a couple of the funds you mentioned Kirstin. There are some cool ideas out there.
Jabird, your comments were great. My sister and brother in law were struggling to buy groceries from day to day. It was at this very low point that they decided to tithe. From that moment on they were never short on cash (mind you they weren’t long on it either). Amy and I did this in Florida, working on one Christian school teacher’s income, with a growing family. I don’t understand the math behind it, but when we starting giving what God asked the money was there. Amazing.
I just want to do more. I want to give more. I’m amazed at how finances don’t make any sense logically when you give more than you think you are able, but it is pretty cool.