Tithing - Gasp! Yes, I am going to talk about God and money.

This topic has been on my heart for a long, long time. I have time to sit and write (a rare treat), so here goes.

People don't like to talk about money. They especially don't like to hear how they should spent it. As Christians, we are told to give 10% of our income back to God (Deut. 14:22). This helps us focus on God, the blessings he has given us, and places Him as the top priority in our lives.

I know what some of you are thinking. Does "Heck no, that is my money and I need it!" sound familiar? How about, "If I give THAT much money, I won't be able to afford xxxx and yyyy." Not you yet? Try, "I give  $20 every week, that is more than enough. You see the cars in the parking lot? The bags those women carry? Let them give 10%." Let me tell you, I have used each of those excuses. Every one, and probably a few more. But, something happened in my life, twice actually, to change my attitude on tithing and giving.

Several years ago I quit going to church. Why? I was burned out. I spent too much time focusing on what I was doing rather than who I was doing it for, and I gave up. This led to a series of bad decisions (which God used to help make me who I am today) and before long, I realized I really, really needed God back in my life. Enter my amazing friend Angie and her husband Dan. They invited to church with them, fed me, prayed with me, and got me through a very difficult chapter in my life. During this time, I was going through a divorce, living on my own, paycheck to paycheck. I knew I needed to tithe because the Bible asks us to do so, but I was afraid that bills would be late or go unpaid. Dan and Angie led me (and a group of others) through a financial course (Crown Ministries), and showed me that God was going to take care of me. All I had to do was trust Him. They held my hand (and so did my parents) through this time and I can tell you that I never missed a meal or made a late payment. At times, I felt like the widow and her two mites; but I knew God would bless that tithe (Luke 21:1-2). God is faithful. Once I was back on my feet, I was so glad to be able to not only tithe but give extra as well. In 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15, Paul tells us that when we give generously, God rewards us generously. He loves a cheerful giver and he will give you all you need (7,8). Notice it says need, not want. Big difference.

A few years later, 2010, to be exact, my family hit a financial crisis. I was a stay-at-home mom to a new born Sloane. Matt and I were trying to make a go at a family run business. We lost the business and since we financed it ourselves, had to make some very difficult choices. We put our house on the market. We sold our things at garage sales and moved in with Matt's parents while he continued to look for work. We knew what we were commanded to do and continued to tithe. I am not going to lie - it was hard. Having been through it once, I knew God would be faithful, but while you are in the middle of that storm, it is tough to see where the He is going to take you. God is good and Matt found another job. We were able to move, to a beautiful area, and get back onto our feet. Once again, God saw us through it all.

2 Corinthians 8 and 9 encourages us to be generous givers. Your heart changes when you give back to the Lord, because you want to thank Him for the blessings he has given you. In chapter 8, verse 12, Paul goes on to tell us that God knows our willingness and ability. God is not going to ask of you what you cannot give. If you think about it, 10% of your income is not some outlandish amount. Chances are, you probably sock that much away in a retirement account and never even miss it. Think about how much God can do with just 10%.  I guarantee your church and the community it serves have needs. Are you willing to trust God? Can you give more than 10%? See what happens if you give above and beyond. No, the pastor isn't going to call you up to the pulpit and thank you. The children's minister isn't going to have all the kids give you hugs. But you will see a subtle change - in your own heart. You will start to see needs being met - be faithful to God and He will be faithful to you.

We are currently studying Romans 12 and the concept of generosity at church. I encourage you to read this chapter and see how it applies to your life and your own generosity. Be willing to give 10%, then more. But don't stop when the holidays are over, see how God is faithful to you and how he can use you.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!

  

#26 Acts

Hello again! Yes, it has been a really, really long time since I posted. Since my last blog (we won't say how long it has been), I have been busy teaching, hanging with my family, and helping at church. Sloane is almost four and loves all things sports related (didn't get that from me). Matt is still employed with a health care company, specializing in software used on the business side of hospitals. Last year, I found a teaching job in late July at a local charter school. I had the opportunity to work with amazing teachers and fabulous kids. We discovered that the charter school system and I were not a good fit (long back story which would take about 12 blogs to cover), so around February I started to look for a job in the public school system. Texas is rumored to be the hardest state to get a teaching license (if you are from out-of-state), I can tell you that is true. It is also very, very difficult to get into the public school system unless you know someone already working in a district. I applied in about 25 districts for close to 75 jobs. Two job fairs, five interviews, and a very long summer later, I was hired to teach junior high English - the day before school started. Our administration shared that they had over 9,000 applicants and only invited the top 425 to their job fair (for you non-math people, that is less than 5%). I must say that I have to credit God and God alone for this job. Several people were praying for me in the process and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I felt your prayers and appreciated every one!

Last year, on December 14, 26 precious people lost their lives in a tragedy in New Town, CT at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I sat at my desk after the kids had gone home, and wept for the families and first responders. A few of my colleagues and I prayed together, unable to comprehend this monumental loss. Sandy Hook happened on a Friday. That weekend, Matt and Sloane packed up and headed to K.C. to be with family for Christmas; I was flying up a few days later. While I was packing, I had the tv on and the program I was watching told of Ann Curry's tweet challenge (now known as #26 Acts). She encouraged everyone to do 26 acts of kindness to remember and honor the lives lost. People were buying 26 cups of coffee and cocoa for strangers, donating 26 blankets, paying the toll for the next 26 cars, etc. As I watched, I thought, "I may not have enough money to buy 26 cups of Starbucks, but I can do 26 random acts of kindness."  So my journey began.

I found it to be rather easy, I gave cookies to my cab driver (in addition to his tip), I gave the flight attendants candy, helped strangers with directions, helped my neighbor with her trash, helped another neighbor whose food stamps had run out, picked up after other people's dogs, etc. When I reached 26, I realized that this would also be a great project for my eighth graders. When we got back from Christmas break, I explained the history of #26 Acts, what I did, and encouraged them to try and do it. I gave them a month and told them I would check back in to see what they had done.

Admittedly, I was skeptical; 13 and 14 year olds can have a tough time thinking outside of their insular boxes. My students blew me away. They gave food and money to the homeless, helped their siblings with projects, cooked for their parents, helped their friends and classmates, and volunteered to help the younger kids at school. We made a bulletin board outside my room to showcase what they had done. Our administration was so impressed with the project, they made it a school-wide project. They then covered our glass entry way with hand-drawn pictures of what the kids did. Again, amazing.

So this year, I challenged my students again. But I teach Pre-Advanced Placement students, so I upped the ante on them(so I gave them seven weeks to complete the project). They had to create a one minute presentation explaining to their classmates what they did and what they learned. In addition to the presentation, they also had to write a paper telling me how this project has impacted them. Once again, never, ever underestimate youth. My students helped feed, clothe, and warm the homeless, they volunteered at church, helped their parents, led scout trips, brought cookies to teachers, wrote thank you notes to teachers and adults who help them, helped disabled classmates, babysat for free, and on and on the list goes. I had to fight back tears as I read their papers. Most of them told me that they were inspired to continue the project on their own, because this is how we should act all the time, not just because it was an assignment.

As we approach the one year anniversary of Sandy Hook, we will also celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas. I would like to challenge you to do #26 Acts. It doesn't have to cost you a dime. Open a door, give a compliment, let that other driver merge, share your chocolate, say a kind word, clean up the mess you didn't make, the list goes on and on. Having done this challenge twice, I can tell you it will change your outlook on life, people, and whatever circumstances you have going on in your life. Do it. I double dog dare you!