FIRSTFRUITS FINDINGS NEWSLETTER VOL. 11 NO. 4 August 2006 THE PATTERN OF GIVING In the last issue of FirstFruits Findings, we began a series that focuses on our role as stewards and how we, as Christians, carry out our expression of faith with our money. We call these the 3 P’s to define a pattern of faithful giving: Priority, Proportional, Periodic. In priority giving, we found that to integrate Christ into the financial side of our lives, we must first prioritize our lives around God, managing our material things to his glory. This takes thought, planning and prayer. A challenging issue we face is our financial obligation to the work of God’s kingdom. How much is enough? How much can we afford to give? How much can we afford not to give? This leads us to our second “P”: PROPORTIONAL GIVING The individual who plans his or her giving thoughtfully allows for a percentage to be given back to God. As stated even to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 16:17: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. God could have said every one give $50 a week. Some people do not make $50 a week. For others that would be small change. Instead, God says give in proportion. Traditionally, this has been the tithe. It is a basic discipline on which future growth can be built. In other words, a tithe is not the end achievement. It is a great starting point. A Christian businessman was heard to say, “A tithe is a great place to start, but a terrible place to stop.” It is important to note that this type of giving is intentional and not left to chance as in the case of giving leftover change. The fact that it is intentional means that it is expressing the value of our relationship with God. Remember the reason we are instructed to give is for our own benefit. Do you feel that you cannot give a portion to God? When we feel we cannot give a proportion to God, we need to examine our attitude – not our finances. If we really approach our finances as if God owns it all, giving in proportion back to Him is appropriate. Certainly our attitude towards money is most important, but so is our action. As Christians, we are part of a faith movement in a world that desperately needs the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. “It has been said that God’s people possess God’s provision to accomplish and fulfill God’s purposes in the world. Indeed, according to Christian financial advisor Ron Blue, ‘Eighty percent of the world’s evangelical wealth is in North America – and the total represents way more than enough to fund the fulfillment of the Great Commission.’” (www.generousgiving.org) Whatever you do with your giving, let it reflect what you believe about Jesus Christ and the reality of the Kingdom of God.? Questions for Personal Reflection: Have I calculated what portion I give back to God? Is it a tithe? As my income increases, does my giving reflect that as well? Is God prompting me to give back more than a tithe? Is my giving a true representation of my love and thanksgiving to God? WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH OUR IRA’S? Many Christians have received very sound financial advice about saving for retirement and have done so very effectively. Now they are in retirement and find that, through prudent investing over the last several decades, their IRA (or other retirement plan) has grown to be quite large. Now what? Starting at age 70 1/2, the IRS requires people to withdraw a certain percentage of their IRA each year. That percentage goes up as you get older. But what if you really don’t need all of the distribution from your IRA to meet your living expenses? We have several recommendations: First, take out the minimum required distribution each year. Second, if that is more than you need for living expenses, select a worthwhile Christian organization and make a special charitable gift to help them further their mission. Third, consider naming one or more charities as the primary or secondary death beneficiary of your IRA. Your IRA is the most tax-efficient asset to give to charities as part of your estate plan. Barnabas Foundation works with members of the Christian Reformed Church in the U.S. and with supporters of our nearly 200 member organizations 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 Rabbits away. Sprinkle red pepper or talcum powder around the base of plants to keep rabbits away. Pickle juice. Work leftover pickle juice into soil around an azalea or gardenia bush or around any other plant that needs acidic soil. Shower. Wipe ceramic tile clean with a solution of automatic dishwasher detergent and water. Wax the patio furniture. The bright colors of outdoor plastic furniture, kiddie gyms, etc., can fade from regular exposure to the sun. Prevent fading and ease cleaning with a protective coat of car wax. Recommended Resource “Stewardship: Keeping Faith With God’s Gifts” By Mary VandenBerg What is a steward? This study explains what a steward is by exploring the concepts of generous stewardship, stewards as servants, holy contentment, earth keeping, compassion, care, and accountability. This seven-session study is a great overall study of stewardship for adults with no lesson preparation needed. Student guide is $5.75 and the Leader guide is $7.75 Order from Faith Alive Christian Resources www.faithaliveresources.org or 800-333-8300