Money Margin

Thinking more about money margin today...Richard Foster has some points to ponder in his chapter on Simplicity in "Celebration of Discipline." I was considering them Saturday as checkpoints in my own life. Why not look at these and rate how well you're doing:

(Adapted from Celebration of Discipline)

___ Give generously. The more difficult it is for me to be generous, is usually an indication of how much I love money and want to spend it on me.

___ Spend less than you make. Yes, there may be seasons when this is necessary and you have to dip into emergency cash. But consistently spending more than you make is the prelude to poverty.

___ Build an emergency fund. DR recommends starting with $1000 then move to minimum of 3 mos personal expense. Average job loss lasts one year.   
___ Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. When you buy, ask yourself, is this about usefulness or prestige?

___ Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. Learn to distinguish between a real psychological need, like cheerful surroundings, and an addiction. Any of the media that you find you cannot do without, get rid of. If money has a grip on your heart, give some away and feel the inner release. 

___ Develop a habit of giving things away. If you find that you are becoming attached to some possession, consider giving it to someone who needs it. De-accumulate! Masses of things that are not needed complicate life. They must be sorted and stored and dusted and resorted and restored ad nauseum.

___ Don’t fall for the propaganda regarding the latest modern gadgets. Most gadgets are built to break down and wear out and so complicate our lives rather than enhance them. Usually gadgets are an unnecessary drain on the energy resources of the world. Environmental responsibility alone should keep us from buying the majority of the gadgets produced today.

___ Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Owning things is an obsession in our culture. If we own it, we feel we can control it; and if we can control it, we feel it will give us more pleasure. The idea is an illusion. Enjoy the lake without feeling you have to buy a piece of it. Borrow books. Enjoy libraries, zoos, parks, the lake, the beach.

___ Reject all ‘buy now, pay later’ schemes. They are a trap and only deepen your bondage. Certainly prudence, as well as simplicity, demands that we use extreme caution before incurring debt. 

___ Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God. It is so easy to lose focus in the pursuit of legitimate, even good things. Job, position, status, family, friends, security—these and many more can all too quickly become the center of attention.

Overloaded? Any of these a picture of your life?

Marginal Living

She asked me this morning, "How did you sleep?" Why? Because my wife and I know that not all sleep is equal. Ever had restless sleep? I have. Your eyes are closed, you're lying down and you're in that semi-conscious zone but you have these nightmares of running while someone is chasing you. So you wake up without feeling rested. Drat.

It's the same way with our souls. Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Mat 11:28-29 esv). All rest is not equal. 


Here, Jesus promises rest for the overloaded life. A lot of the baggage we carry, we weren't meant to carry and it's depleting our reserves--whether it's the baggage of: 

• Guilt - I should have done more. Now it's too late. My daughter is grown. My Dad has passed. Etc.
• Grudges - I can't forget what they did. 
• Penance - I must do more or God might not let me into Heaven
• Anger at God - I've been faithful all my life and so far God has not kept His part of the deal
• Savior-mentality - It's all up to me. I must solve the world's problems. I must win my family to Christ. I must heal the world. 

All of these are rooted in the idol of self. Notice how they all start with "I". Real Christianity does include responsibility. But it's a partnership: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...you will find rest..." This kind of rest is one that is "found"--not obtained by straining in a solo effort. But found in relationship with Jesus. 


So unload your baggage and take His yoke. It's easy by comparison.

Another Reason to Text: Encourage People

Interesting article about some research that showed how sending encouraging text messages to people who were trying to quit smoking actually helped. Smokers were twice as likely to succeed if they received encouragement via text.(You can read the original article here.)

Here's more proof that encouragement is powerful. Maybe that's why we like to hang around people who cheer us on and don't tear us down. It's why loneliness can be debilitating and even dangerous. It's why Christians should get together often on weekends and at other times ..."not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Heb 10.25 ESV).

Harvest-time is coming

Becki picked the first cucumber from the garden today. Hopefully one of many to come. Plants are loaded with blooms but it seems like they will never come.

Same is true in life isn't it?
• have you been in counseling but don't see any fruit?
• in a Bible study but you don't see any personal victory?
• pastoring, loving, leading but problems abound?
• praying for your rebel daughter but no change?

There's a long gap between planting and harvest. Seems like it will never come. But have patience. Keep praying, studying, loving, digging, watering. Harvest time is coming! Be faithful bro! Stay at it sis!