Why I Don't Ask God for Money

by Ed Cyzewski

I’d like to think I’m an expert at the “Low Checking Account Balance Prayer.” I also call it the “Money Prayer.” We’ve moved and changed jobs enough that I should be able to proclaim a few prayers to settle things down with a suave confidence that emanates from my spiritual authority over low balances.

We just passed through such a time recently. My wife moved into a new job, and for a few months our financial security rested entirely on me and my fledgling business—something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. We did all right, but I finally hit the point where I felt the need to pray the “money prayer.”

There are two basic ways to say the money prayer. I have a feeling that God only likes one of them, but I’m usually willing to give them both a shot just in case.

The first version of the money prayer involves a simple formula: Hi God + we have no money + please help us = waiting for a response.

The second version adopts a slightly different approach: Hi God + use me to bless others + please give me what I need to do that = response.

The more I ask for my own provision, the less I see happening. The more I ask to be used as an instrument to bless others, the more I see God doing both for and through me.

Saying that God wants to use us to bless others isn’t exactly breaking new ground. If I tried to teach a seminary course based on this premise, I’d meet a room full of vigorous nods and then a rash of yawns.

The difference for me is that I sometimes compartmentalize my work and paycheck from “real” ministry. God wants my customers to feel cared-for, he wants my colleagues to return home with a greater sense of peace, and he wants to support life-changing ministries with the money I earn from my work.

As soon as I started asking God to send what I needed in order to bless others, my work changed. I discovered ways to connect colleagues with the help they needed. Prayers for provision that could bless others turned into extra work that enabled me to increase my generosity.

Only asking God for provision is like asking God to replace himself. My self-centered prayers are really something like this: “Dear God, life is hard, and I need money to take care of me. Please send money to provide the security you can’t provide.”

Asking God to use me to bless others puts us both in the right place. This places God in charge of my needs, the needs of others, and the overall direction for my life.

When I need more money, I really need more of God. I need to stick myself right at the center of his will. If God can use me, then I’ll never lack anything I need.

The provision of more money will cloud my vision of God. The provision of more God turns everything in my life into a tool that God can use as he pleases.

The trouble is that some days I still think prayer would be a lot easier if I had a bit more money.

Image by Velo_City. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr. Post by Ed Cyzewski.

Are You Up and Down With the Dow?

Over the past few years, the economy has been a roller coaster that's left most people screaming, "I want off!" As if that's not enough, news about the world economy all over the media has given us more reason to feel afraid and out of control. 

Staying armed with truth will ward off the panic for you and the people in your church, promoting peace no matter what's going on with the Dow. Keep spreading the word to your congregation that market volatility doesn't have to mean mood volatility!

Here are some things to keep you calm and peaceful no matter what the market is doing:

Where is your security? First things first. When your investments are bouncing around like a pinball machine, it's a good time for a gut check. Take a look at how much it's bothering you and remind yourself that security lies in God, not money. No amount of money can give you security, but you can be secure in Christ no matter how much or little you have. A loosened grip on your wallet or purse strings might bring some much-needed peace back into your life.

Maintain a long-term perspective: Like Dave Ramsey says, the only way you get hurt on a roller coaster is if you jump off! Investing is a long-term process, not a get-rich-quick attempt. Unless you are retiring tomorrow, you don't need to be concerned if your 401(k) looks more like a 201(k). The market always bounces back, and you'll make yourself sick if you stress over it. Keep investing just like you would in any other economy. Over time, you will win!

Imagine yourself debt-free: Think about it—how much do market fluctuations really affect your day-to-day life? And how much less would you care if you were completely debt-free with a fully funded emergency fund? If you are already there, congratulations! If you're not there yet, keep at it. Your hard work will be so worth it! When you are in complete control of your personal economy, what's going on in the nation and world economy just doesn't seem to hold as much weight.

Speak out against the hype. The sky is not falling. Encourage your congregation to keep working their way through the Baby Steps and striving to be excellent stewards of all that God has given them. You can't go wrong with that!

Learn how to start an FPU class in your church.

Stewardship Ministry: A Tale Of Two Churches - daveramsey.com

Stewardship Ministry: A Tale Of Two Churches - daveramsey.com: "Gunnar Johnson, Stewardship Pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, leads a stewardship ministry that serves about 3,000 people a year. As a result, hundreds of church leaders contact him every year to ask his team how to start a stewardship ministry. In general, churches that reach out fall into one of two categories."

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Christian Charities Look for Cyber Monday Donations

(AP Images/Paul Sakuma)

It’s Cyber Monday. That means millions of consumers will flood the Internet looking for online bargains in what has become the busiest Internet shopping day of the year. By some estimates, Cyber Monday revenue will top $1 billion again in 2011.

But virtual shoppers can give back while cashing in on Christmas deals—and Christian charities are hoping they do.

The charitable giving trend is expected to continue despite another holiday season faced with a struggling economy, according to a Harris Interactive study. Of survey participants, 51 percent say they're now more likely to give a charitable gift as a holiday present this year. And 80 percent of adults say they'd prefer to receive a "meaningful gift" that would help someone else instead of a traditional holiday gift like clothing or electronics.

International Christian humanitarian organization World Vision is proving this study out. More than half of the $32 million contributed through the organization's annual holiday Gift Catalog were funds raised through its online catalog.

The virtual store features more than 250 untraditional holiday gifts including cows, chickens, mosquito nets and microloans that are purchased on behalf of families living in impoverished communities.

"This year, World Vision is issuing a challenge to all Cyber Monday shoppers to consider items in the Gift Catalog," says Traci Coker, national director of the World Vision Gift Catalog. “We know times are tough but we also know shoppers are looking for gifts that are impactful. As long as you're going to be doing some shopping online, why not include a meaningful gift?"

Givers can make the purchase in the name of a friend, family member or business associate. World Vision sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact on people in areas where extreme poverty is a reality.

Last year alone, the World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog helped provide assistance to more than 800,000 people around the world. Since launching the catalog in 1996, World Vision has raised more than $162 million.

Dear God, Thank You for This Crummy Job

I remember the days when I bounded out of bed, ready to seize the day.

Back then, work was a joy. My coworkers banded together as we found new solutions to fix problems. My chain of command was empowering. My duties were challenging and fresh, engaging my mind and abilities.

That was yesterday.

These days, the workplace has a certain sense of gloom. The economy hasn’t treated my company well. When I enter my building, it seems as if half the lights are dimmed, probably to save electricity. But it certainly doesn’t help the atmosphere.

Many of my coworkers have left through early retirement or have been forced out through downsizing. Those that are left have the duties of two or three, with no other resources to call on.

All the managers are stressed, trying to keep the fiscal boat afloat while still delivering a valuable product. At times the duties are creative and challenging, but I mostly find new ways to tell a continuing saga of sagging revenues, depressed demand and a bleak future. It’s a crummy position to be in, for sure.

I sense that I’m not alone. As I talk to friends, I’m finding that many of them have gone from the rolls of short-term unemployed to long-term. Others are underemployed, finding work as temps or part time workers, benefits trimmed or stripped outright.

And for those that are still working, they have to do way more with way less.

Rather than let my employment challenges drag me down, I’ve decided to take back the workplace for God’s glory, and I’m doing it through an attitude of gratitude. The seed of thankfulness was first planted by scripture, “In all things give thanks.” It was watered by The High Calling editor, Ann Voskamp, with her book, One Thousand Gifts, where she dares me to “live fully”, right where I am.

So, I’m putting the challenge into action. And it’s working.

First of all, I’m thankful I even have a job. When I think about my friends Steve and Becky, and a host of others stuck in pervasive unemployment, my complaints just feel wrong.

I’m thankful for the challenge, and even the frustrations. Through fire and trial, I’m becoming God’s man.

I’m thankful for the out-of-control schedule, the 117 unopened e-mail messages and the drop-everything-projects. I think there’s some patience to be gained in all this.

I’m thankful for my coworkers, and I often find myself saying this sort of prayer: “Lord, bless them in the stress.” We’re in this together, and using a calm voice of reason might just work wonders.

I’m thankful for every penny that my employer sends my way. I haven’t always earned it.

In every way, I’m grateful for this crummy job.

Image by Ben Fredericson. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr. Post by David Rupert.

A Fundamental Shift in Holiday Giving?

New Study on Long-Term Impact of the Great Recession on Charitable Giving

SEATTLE, Nov. 14, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- The struggling economy continues to affect holiday spending and holiday generosity. According to a World Vision study, more than 7 in 10 (71%) Americans report that they'll spend less on holiday presents this year because of the current economic climate. This number has remained nearly the same three out of the last four years. This trend appears to reflect a fundamental shift in how Americans perceive holiday generosity. This is the third year World Vision has commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct research on holiday charitable giving. This is the second year the U.S. and Canada have been included in the same comprehensive study.

 

Key findings:

Americans Expect to Spend Less on Holiday Gifts

71 percent in 2011 - 69% expected to in 2010 - 57% in 2009 – 71% in 2008

 

But Americans want those dollars to mean more. Because more than half (51%) say they're now more likely to give a charitable gift as a holiday present this year. Again, this number has remained nearly the same three out of the last four years (51% in 2011, 51% in 2010, 38% in 2009 and 49% in 2008). And 4 in 5 adults (80%) say they'd prefer to receive a "meaningful gift" that would help someone else instead of a traditional holiday gift like clothing or electronics. This number is identical to 2010 (80%). About 7 in 10 U.S. adults (71%) – the same proportion as 2010 (71%) – agree that they plan to increase their charitable giving once the economy improves. In 2010 that number was exactly the same (71%).

 

Americans More Generous?

 

The phone survey, conducted October 26-30, 2011 also says that U.S. adults are more likely than Canadian adults to have experience with both giving and receiving charitable gifts: More than 2 in 3 U.S. adults (68%) have given a "charitable gift" that honors a loved one, compared to just over half of Canadian adults (55%).

 

"It is worth noting that while the proportion who wants to receive a meaningful gift has been steady over the past two years, it is still an increase since the low of 76% who felt this way in 2009," reported Michele Salomon, Senior Research Director at Harris Interactive. "This suggests that the relevance or meaning of the cause, charity, or gift becomes more important for people as they make giving decisions in a strained economic environment."

 

FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN HOLIDAY GIVING?

New study:

 

"This survey shows once again that, during uncertain economic times, Americans continue to prioritize helping those in need," says Traci Coker, World Vision-US Gift Catalog Senior Director. "Even more so than our neighbors to the north, Americans want to reach out with charitable gifts like those found in the World Vision Gift Catalog this holiday season."

 

"A gift given from the Gift Catalog significantly improves the life of a child or family in need by providing tools and opportunities to overcome extreme poverty, while at the same time honoring your friends and loved ones," says Coker. For each World Vision gift, the giver can make the purchase in the name of a friend, family member, or business associate. World Vision then sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact. In the months that follow, the gift itself or intervention reaches a child or family in need.

 

Last year alone, the World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog raised more than $32 million and provided assistance to more than 800,000 people around the world. This year's projected goal: $34 million. World Vision launched the Gift Catalog in 1996. Since then it's raised over $162 million dollars. And while a goat ($75) may be World Vision's number one seller, there are more than 100 gifts (many under $35) to choose from.

 

To order in the United States: www.worldvisiongifts.org or call toll-free 888-511-6511.

 

World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog on facebook:www.facebook.com/worldvisiongiftcatalog         

 

About the poll:

 

This poll was conducted by telephone within the United States and Canada by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, Inc. between October 26 and October 30, 2011 among 1,007 U.S. adults ages 18+ and between October 27 and October 31, 2011 among 1,021 Canadian adults 18+. (for complete methodology contact John Yeager jyeager@worldvision.org).

 

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve the world's poor, regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visitwww.worldvision.org.

Dave Ramsey’s Momentum Theorem by Stephen Blandino - ChurchLeaders.com - Christian Leadership Blogs, Articles, Videos, How To's, and Free Resources

Intensity plus time plus God equals Momentum.

Dave Ramsey’s Momentum Theorem by Stephen Blandino - ChurchLeaders.com - Christian Leadership Blogs, Articles, Videos, How To's, and Free Resources: "Dave Ramsey has helped millions of people navigate their finances, break out of debt, and take a path toward financial freedom. He has also worked hard to lead his organization with excellence and create a healthy organizational culture. In another post I shared some of the insights of Dave Ramsey’s Organizational Culture."

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