FirstFruits Findings July - August 03

FIRSTFRUITS FINDINGS
Vol. 8 No. 3


A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

The issue of trust is extremely challenging.  I have found this to be one of the most difficult areas in my life, especially as I look down the road towards retirement and making decisions together with my wife.   How much is enough? What is God's plan for us?
	
Trusting God is a journey into knowing His will.   Do we dare to trust that we will be given what and whom we will need for each step of the journey?  This journey will include prayer time, regular conversations with your spouse if married, and also seeking the counsel of trusted friends.  

We hope that you will share thoughts from this article with your stewardship team and formulate a game plan of sharing this information with your fellow members.

~ Norm Vander Wel



SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE STEWARDS

This is the second in a series of seven in which we will reflect on the habits of a highly effective steward.   In our last issue of FirstFruits Findings, we discussed Habit 1-Be Thankful and what it means to have an attitude of gratitude for the obvious and the not-so-obvious.

Habit 2:  Trust God to Provide

Trust is a foundational concept for practicing stewardship.  This may be one of the most difficult habits of all to develop.  For many of us, it's easier to trust God for our eternal salvation than it is to trust Him for our daily living.  When it comes to practical things like putting food on our table or making the mortgage payment, we operate as if we are on our own.  As a result we often worry and experience anxiety.

Fear is the result of our inability to trust God in all aspects of our lives.  This actually causes some of us to stockpile assets beyond all reason.  Others worry about every possibility of loss, including health issues, layoffs and economic collapse.  There's a big difference between constructive planning - and destructive worry.  There is no reason for us to be bound by fear.  We need to put our trust in God and to commit both our faith and our finances to Him.

"Instruct those who are rich in this present world not. . .to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" (I Timothy 6:17).  Even though our culture tempts us to believe that accumulation brings happiness, as Christians we need to focus on trusting God.  He has much to give us of far greater value than anything we can ever purchase or accumulate.

Trusting God to provide also means operating on His timetable and not our own.   This is extremely difficult in many situations.  We tend to want our needs met immediately.  If this were always the case, there would be no opportunity for us to strengthen our faith - to believe and trust that our needs will be met according to God's plan.  These opportunities help to teach us patience and reliance on God. 


SHARE YOUR STEWARDSHIP STORY

One couple has not only found joy in their own giving, but have developed a way to spread that joy to their children and challenge them in their giving.  Cal and Grace Walstra, Lombard, IL,  have implemented their own "Matching Gifts to Ministries" program.  

Each year, Cal and Grace offer to match gifts to Christian ministries by their children.  They've established a minimum gift amount and a maximum amount per child.   Cal said, "This matching gifts program for our kids has introduced Grace and me to ministries we might not otherwise be familiar with. It encourages our children to give and lets all of us share in the joy of giving."  They have shared details of this program for their children with other families and are happy to continue to do so. Their email address is cwalstra@aol.com

If you have a stewardship story to share, please go to our website at:
www.barnabasfoundation.com/firstfruits, please be sure to click on "Share Your Stewardship Story" and give us the details.  We'd love to hear from you! 



LARRY BURKETT'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

Larry Burkett 1939 - 2003
Founder, Christian Financial Concepts
Co-founder, Crown Financial Ministries

We couldn't have said it better ourselves!  That's why we're reprinting this tribute to Larry Burkett by Greg Asimakoupoulos.  Larry was a driving force in Christian financial responsibility.  We will all miss his inspiration.

Larry Burkett's Independence Day

Like Paul Harvey, James Dobson or Dr. Laura, 
Larry Burkett was a friend we never met.
His familiar voice on the radio, challenged our predispositions toward credit,
reminded us that our money matters to God and helped us balance our often-neglected budgets.

The gentle man with the Southern drawl was a financial counselor to millions.
In recent years, in spite of poor health, 
Larry refused to step away from the mike.
He courageously continued calling us to bottom-line living by offering us 
keys to financial freedom.

For those chained in a dungeon of debt or locked in self-destructive lifestyles,
Larry was a liberator. How appropriate it was then, 
that on Independence Day, without fanfare or fireworks,
our friend was freed from the prison of his failing body.

And even though our emotions are spent with grief,
we can't help but recognize how wealthy Larry left us.
The investment this one man made in our lives
will continue to pay big dividends for years to come 
for our sake (and the Kingdom's).
Thanks be to God!  Peace be to his memory!


FIRSTFRUITS FUNNY

A little boy in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed around the offering plates.  When they came near his pew, the boy said loudly, "Don't pay for me, daddy.  I'm under five."


RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
JOY OF GENEROSITY

Mention the word stewardship, and we're apt to grab for our pocketbooks. But stewardship involves more than our money.  This program will challenge your members to a richer and more complete understanding of our role as stewards.

As you begin planning for church education this fall, take a look at this well-integrated 3-week program.  It includes worship plans (sermon notes, song suggestions), education plans (for 5 age groups of preschool through adult), reproducible handouts, and "Homelink" daily devotions for households that all tie in together with each week's theme.

If you've never done a stewardship month before, this resource is a good tool to use along with a series of sermons by your pastor.  

This great resource is available from Faith Alive Christian Resources at www.FaithAliveResources.org or call 800-333-8300.


TIPS TO TRY
CLEVER COST-CUTTING IDEAS TO USE AT HOME

Do you get tired of buying expensive dishwasher rinse liquid for the dishwasher? Try filling your rinse aid compartment with white vinegar until it is full.  Your dishes come out sparkling and no spots on your glasses or silverware.

To remove most pet hair from furniture, especially cat hair, put on latex gloves and rub your hands over the furniture in one direction.  Hair will clump for easy removal.

Use a damp fabric dryer sheet to wipe soap scum off shower doors and sparkle shine faucets/ handles. 

-Reprinted with permission of cheapskatemonthly.com