FIRSTFRUITS FINDINGS NEWSLETTER VOL. 10 NO. 5 OCTOBER 2005 EVERY SINGLE CENT Money affects every aspect of our lives. It is one of the acid tests of character and so it is not surprising that scripture has a lot to say about it. Did you know that there are over 2,300 verses in the Bible that deal with our possessions? Jesus knew how important it was to talk about since two-thirds of his parables address the topic. Why is money and our possessions such an issue for God? The way we handle our money doesn’t just affect us in our pocketbook, it affects us spiritually. How we handle our money affects our relationship with the Lord. These scripture passages highlight four principles: God is the owner of everything. We are to be generous with the treasure entrusted to us. We are to prudently manage our treasure. Our treasure can be dangerous if not handled responsibly before God. The first and foundational principle is that God is the source of everything. He owns it all. We are his managers. We really own absolutely nothing in God’s eyes. Every cent, every possession is God’s. This is quite contrary to the “me” culture that teaches us to think this is my house, my car, my bank account. Recognizing God’s ownership of all things is critical in allowing Him to become Lord of our money and our possessions. This may seem limiting, but it is really liberating. Strange as it seems, money and possessions, which should be among the blessings of life, have tied more people in knots, caused more failed marriages, and sent more people to the psychiatrist than we’ll ever know. This is largely because many people live by their pocketbook and try to fulfill their lives with things, finding it easy to act as if God doesn’t exist in this area of their lives. Slowly the mindset can develop that, “I worked hard for what I have, and it’s mine to do as I choose.” We cannot own something without it owning us. We lose joy and a sense of freedom if we try to play God. He owns. We manage. When we pursue the created instead of the Creator, we create our own materialistic god. Giving a meaningful percentage of one’s income is a step in the right direction. Why? Because it helps a person to develop a right perspective that all our money, ability, our very lives, belong to God. These are trusts from God to be used as He would have them used. It frees us from faithless fear and results in an indescribable freedom that can never come to those who think they must do everything for themselves. We acknowledge God’s existence and His ownership of everything by using God’s resources for furthering God’s kingdom. It shifts our interest from earth to heaven — from self to God. It is investing for eternity. In the next few issues of this newsletter, we will explore our responsibility in handling our treasure effectively and generously and the dangers that are present if we do not act responsibly. WHERE WILL GOD’S ASSETS GO? God has entrusted certain abilities and assets to each of us. Therefore, we are responsible to God for the management of what we have received. How each of us handles those assets matters to God. It has an effect on our relationship to Him. Therefore, planning is more than just a financial exercise; it is part of our spiritual response to God. Do you know how your estate would be divided between your heirs, taxes to the government and your favorite charities if you were to die this year? Assets in your estate can only go to these three places. As the popular saying goes, “You can’t take it with you”. Have you asked yourself recently, “What would God want us to do with the assets He has entrusted to us?” Changes in estate tax laws in recent years have impacted many estate plans. Also, growth in tax deferred assets such as IRA’s, 401(k)’s and 403(b)’s may result in significant income taxes due if those assets are passed on to children. Barnabas Foundation works with members of the Christian Reformed Church in the U.S. and with supporters of our nearly 200 member organizations to review their estate plan on a confidential basis and at no cost to the individual. Please call us at (888) 448-3040 to arrange a meeting. TIPS TO TRY Clever cost-cutting ideas to use at home Cookie dough. Most unbaked cookie dough can be refrigerated for at least a week, and frozen for up to a year if it has been wrapped airtight in freezer-weight plastic bags or foil. Popcorn. Before putting a bag of microwave popcorn into the oven, knead it until the lumps are broken. Now more of the kernels will pop. Fine art as placemats. Cover your kids’ drawings with clear self-adhesive contact paper and use them as placemats. These also make great gifts for grandparents. Permanent marker stains. Tough stains from permanent markers are easily removed from most surfaces with rubbing alcohol. RECOMMENDED RESOURCE “Becoming A Firstfruits Congregation” By Robert C. Heerspink Can a church catch the stewardship vision of joyful, generous giving? It can! But not without the enthusiastic, well-informed efforts of its leadership team. This self-directed study guide helps pastors, elders, and deacons provide leadership for developing joyful stewardship practices. It builds on a solid, biblical understanding of stewardship to encourage each of us to be thankful believers who are rich in giving to God. Great for leadership group study or individual use. $7.95 Purchase from Faith Alive Christian Resources 800-333-8300 or www.faithaliveresources.org