In a perfect world, people wouldn't show up at my office to ask for financial help because they had misspent their money on things not necessary.
In a perfect world, people would not choose to be lazy, then expect others to pay for them.
On the other hand...
In a perfect world, people who have been blessed with opportunity, ingenuity, and creativity in perpetuity would not hoard their money and spend it all on themselves.
...........
The poor would work hard.
The blessed would give generously.
Everyone would have enough.
In a perfect world.
Showing posts with label Economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Economy. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Good Choices For Bad Times
I preface today's post by remembering that Sunday is Mother's Day. The good choices I'm about to describe have been significantly influenced by my wife Cathy. As a helpmeet and a mom, she has been the backbone of establishing priorities and discipline into the financial part of our home.
That said, here are four good choices we have made over the years. Establishing and living by these priorities has affected tens of thousands of tiny decisions. In turn, by God's grace, we are where we are.
1. We put God first.
I know that I'm a pastor, but this part of our lives is something we learned from both sets of parents. Remember, my dad was a mechanic and Cathy's dad worked for the Postal Service. We practice giving at least 10% of our income back to God because we are grateful for His provision. I call the tithe check our "Declaration of Dependence."
2. We use credit cards to our advantage.
We failed to completely pay off our cards each month for only one short season and that was early in our marriage. We started using the card to finish an unfinished room in the first house we bought. We sold the house, paid the balance on the card, and agreed that we would not use it again unless we had the money to pay it off. I had started our marriage with a small amount of consumer debt and I remember how much easier it was to spend credit than to spend cash. By God's grace and Cathy's insistence, we got out of that trap.
That said, we use several cards now and we use them often. We earn free flights and free hotel rooms that help us see our kids and grandkids. AND we pay them off in full every month.
3. We limit our spending.
This is where thousands of those tiny decisions come in. For instance, as our kids were growing up, we rarely went out to eat. Cathy used coupons to save money and watched her grocery budget like a hawk. We didn't regularly drop by the local convenience store for sodas and candy -- those were rare treats for when we were traveling. We often buy clothing and some housewares at yard sales. We have never purchased a new car. We set an affordable budget for Christmas and birthdays and live by it.
In addition, we set boundaries for how long we would provide for our kids. We helped them pay for college, making it clear that if they dropped out or if they got married, they were on their own. We gave them each a budget for their weddings. If they spent the budget on the big event, it was gone. If they had money left over, it was theirs to use as they wanted.
When our kids reached the age when they were influenced by their peers and more style-conscious, we had a rule: we bought the article of clothing and they bought the brand. If they wanted jeans, for instance, we found the price of good ones and provided that much money. If the brand they wanted cost an extra $30 a pair, they paid the extra $30.
4. We set long-term goals.
Our initial goal was to be completely debt-free (including our home) by the time I turned 50. We were on the way to reaching the goal when our church relocated and we made a decision to move across town near the new campus (which we have never regretted). We sold the old house and built one in a new sub-division. We limited the size and the amenities to keep the price reasonable, then paid as much down as possible. We took out a 15 year mortgage, with the goal of paying it off in 7 years. We made the final payment about 5 1/2 years after we moved into the new home. For the past several years we have been able to truly "owe no man anything, except to love one another." (Romans 13:8)
Again, I share all this with gratitude to God who richly supplies all our needs and to a wife who has helped us stay the course.
We have approached this difficult economic season with compassion for all those who have been negatively impacted. Our hope and prayer, for you and yours, is that you are able to set and live by some priorities which can help you achieve financial freedom.
That said, here are four good choices we have made over the years. Establishing and living by these priorities has affected tens of thousands of tiny decisions. In turn, by God's grace, we are where we are.
1. We put God first.
I know that I'm a pastor, but this part of our lives is something we learned from both sets of parents. Remember, my dad was a mechanic and Cathy's dad worked for the Postal Service. We practice giving at least 10% of our income back to God because we are grateful for His provision. I call the tithe check our "Declaration of Dependence."
2. We use credit cards to our advantage.
We failed to completely pay off our cards each month for only one short season and that was early in our marriage. We started using the card to finish an unfinished room in the first house we bought. We sold the house, paid the balance on the card, and agreed that we would not use it again unless we had the money to pay it off. I had started our marriage with a small amount of consumer debt and I remember how much easier it was to spend credit than to spend cash. By God's grace and Cathy's insistence, we got out of that trap.
That said, we use several cards now and we use them often. We earn free flights and free hotel rooms that help us see our kids and grandkids. AND we pay them off in full every month.
3. We limit our spending.
This is where thousands of those tiny decisions come in. For instance, as our kids were growing up, we rarely went out to eat. Cathy used coupons to save money and watched her grocery budget like a hawk. We didn't regularly drop by the local convenience store for sodas and candy -- those were rare treats for when we were traveling. We often buy clothing and some housewares at yard sales. We have never purchased a new car. We set an affordable budget for Christmas and birthdays and live by it.
In addition, we set boundaries for how long we would provide for our kids. We helped them pay for college, making it clear that if they dropped out or if they got married, they were on their own. We gave them each a budget for their weddings. If they spent the budget on the big event, it was gone. If they had money left over, it was theirs to use as they wanted.
When our kids reached the age when they were influenced by their peers and more style-conscious, we had a rule: we bought the article of clothing and they bought the brand. If they wanted jeans, for instance, we found the price of good ones and provided that much money. If the brand they wanted cost an extra $30 a pair, they paid the extra $30.
4. We set long-term goals.
Our initial goal was to be completely debt-free (including our home) by the time I turned 50. We were on the way to reaching the goal when our church relocated and we made a decision to move across town near the new campus (which we have never regretted). We sold the old house and built one in a new sub-division. We limited the size and the amenities to keep the price reasonable, then paid as much down as possible. We took out a 15 year mortgage, with the goal of paying it off in 7 years. We made the final payment about 5 1/2 years after we moved into the new home. For the past several years we have been able to truly "owe no man anything, except to love one another." (Romans 13:8)
Again, I share all this with gratitude to God who richly supplies all our needs and to a wife who has helped us stay the course.
We have approached this difficult economic season with compassion for all those who have been negatively impacted. Our hope and prayer, for you and yours, is that you are able to set and live by some priorities which can help you achieve financial freedom.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Adding One More Block...
...until it all tumbles down.
It's hard -- especially now, in my role as "Sampa" -- for me to pass up blocks without stacking them. Ever since I can remember, I have had this urge to see just how many I can stack up before they come falling down. I grew up with this ornery sister that, I'm sure, took every opportunity to knock them down for me. I don't need her help now -- I live in an earthquake zone!
Anyway, it's easy for me to keep wanting to add just one more block. As an adult, I have found it tempting to keep adding one more toy to my collection. That's why I identified greed as my problem yesterday.
But I wanted to know what you think and I wasn't surprised that a) most people responding were female and b) you almost universally said that fear/worry/insecurity is what you struggle with. What I discovered Monday in our Small Group was that every female present struggles with insecurity and every male present struggles with greed.
I wonder what we should be learning in this season of history. We in the "first world" had been through a time of unprecedented prosperity. We have responded like the man in Jesus' Luke 12 story: "I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones." Or, "I'll build a taller building." Or a more elaborate theme park. Or a nicer house. Or a bigger SUV.
"I'll add one more block to the stack."
However, forces more powerful than our stack have knocked it down. Suddenly, our lust for more has been replaced by fear.
Please avoid diatribes about the government, Wall Street, the automakers, the banks or anyone else you find easy to blame.
What are you learning from this?
It's hard -- especially now, in my role as "Sampa" -- for me to pass up blocks without stacking them. Ever since I can remember, I have had this urge to see just how many I can stack up before they come falling down. I grew up with this ornery sister that, I'm sure, took every opportunity to knock them down for me. I don't need her help now -- I live in an earthquake zone!
Anyway, it's easy for me to keep wanting to add just one more block. As an adult, I have found it tempting to keep adding one more toy to my collection. That's why I identified greed as my problem yesterday.
But I wanted to know what you think and I wasn't surprised that a) most people responding were female and b) you almost universally said that fear/worry/insecurity is what you struggle with. What I discovered Monday in our Small Group was that every female present struggles with insecurity and every male present struggles with greed.
I wonder what we should be learning in this season of history. We in the "first world" had been through a time of unprecedented prosperity. We have responded like the man in Jesus' Luke 12 story: "I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones." Or, "I'll build a taller building." Or a more elaborate theme park. Or a nicer house. Or a bigger SUV.
"I'll add one more block to the stack."
However, forces more powerful than our stack have knocked it down. Suddenly, our lust for more has been replaced by fear.
Please avoid diatribes about the government, Wall Street, the automakers, the banks or anyone else you find easy to blame.
What are you learning from this?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Name Your Poison
On Sunday, I told our church that Jesus talked about two different different money attitudes that can keep us from experiencing God's very best in our lives. Here they are...
"...be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." (Luke 12:15 NASB)
And the second one is found just a few verses later...
“...don’t worry about the food you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. (Luke 12:22 NCV)
I find it fascinating that Jesus seemed to describe those warring emotions as potential robbers that can take away our joy and our peace.
Greed.
Worry, or (simply) insecurity.
Would you do me a favor? Which of these do you struggle with the most? And, if you are married, ask your spouse the same question. I asked the question on Monday night in our Small Group and was fascinated by the answers.
By the way, I struggle more with greed.
"...be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." (Luke 12:15 NASB)
And the second one is found just a few verses later...
“...don’t worry about the food you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. (Luke 12:22 NCV)
I find it fascinating that Jesus seemed to describe those warring emotions as potential robbers that can take away our joy and our peace.
Greed.
Worry, or (simply) insecurity.
Would you do me a favor? Which of these do you struggle with the most? And, if you are married, ask your spouse the same question. I asked the question on Monday night in our Small Group and was fascinated by the answers.
By the way, I struggle more with greed.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Dicker Or Dictate?
I loved the story my aunt told when I was a boy. She had been in Juarez, Mexico and bought a purse. The price started exorbitantly high and kept going down each time she walked away. She finally paid a small fraction of the original price.
A similar incident took place many years ago with a pastor I knew. He had his eye on a particular leather briefcase in a local office supply store. He knew that the owner of the store was Jewish and that the man believed it essential to sell something to his first customer of the week for business to be good during the rest of the week. He waited patiently at the door as the store opened on Monday morning. He said he wanted the briefcase, but it was too expensive for him. The owner kept lowering the price until my friend could buy it.
Both of these people loved to dicker. They enjoyed the game of cat and mouse with sellers.
My dad, on the other hand, didn't want to dicker. Not at all. I'll never forget the last car he purchased for him and mom. It was unusual because dad had spent years in the car business. He knew it well and had a very short string with the typical ploys salesmen make to close a deal.
Dad went to a car dealer in a nearby town and found a car he was interested in. Here is what he told the salesman...
"I spent my life in the car business and I know the book value of this car. I also know that your company has to make some money just to keep the doors open and I have no problem with that. Here is the way I will deal with you. You tell me the best price you can afford to sell this car for. If it's a good price, I will buy it and won't dicker with you. If your price is high, I will turn you down and walk away. If you try to lower the price, I will know you didn't give me your lowest price in the first place. That will mean you weren't honest and I won't do business with you."
They looked at their records and gave dad the price.
He bought the car.
What about you? Do you dicker or dictate?
A similar incident took place many years ago with a pastor I knew. He had his eye on a particular leather briefcase in a local office supply store. He knew that the owner of the store was Jewish and that the man believed it essential to sell something to his first customer of the week for business to be good during the rest of the week. He waited patiently at the door as the store opened on Monday morning. He said he wanted the briefcase, but it was too expensive for him. The owner kept lowering the price until my friend could buy it.
Both of these people loved to dicker. They enjoyed the game of cat and mouse with sellers.
My dad, on the other hand, didn't want to dicker. Not at all. I'll never forget the last car he purchased for him and mom. It was unusual because dad had spent years in the car business. He knew it well and had a very short string with the typical ploys salesmen make to close a deal.
Dad went to a car dealer in a nearby town and found a car he was interested in. Here is what he told the salesman...
"I spent my life in the car business and I know the book value of this car. I also know that your company has to make some money just to keep the doors open and I have no problem with that. Here is the way I will deal with you. You tell me the best price you can afford to sell this car for. If it's a good price, I will buy it and won't dicker with you. If your price is high, I will turn you down and walk away. If you try to lower the price, I will know you didn't give me your lowest price in the first place. That will mean you weren't honest and I won't do business with you."
They looked at their records and gave dad the price.
He bought the car.
What about you? Do you dicker or dictate?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Are You Sam? (Part 2)
Perhaps one of the best ways to determine if I have written clearly is from reader response. If that's the case, I really goofed yesterday.
You see, I misread my old friend Bill when I thought he had showed up to sell me something. And I'm glad that perhaps I can help him find the person he is looking for in his business.
But...
Bill is the exception. C. Beth mentioned that it would be "frustrating" if the "old friend" came along to recruit for the latest network marketing scheme. Well, perhaps I'm a big jaded on this one. Why? I have had more "old friends came along to recruit me or sell me something" experiences than I can remember. Like the old college friend who wanted to take me to coffee -- and recruit me for Amway. Or the couple Cathy and I knew from college that wanted us to sell Amway.
Or...
Perhaps this hits me extra hard because I naturally like people. I cherish the friendships from my past. I love to sit down and catch up on old times. So, please, don't call me up and offer me coffee or lunch...just to "use" our friendship to build your business.
I hope what I wrote is as close to a "rant" as I ever have in this blog. But I wanted to make my struggle clear.
Now, what do you think? Am I too calloused on this one? Those who know me, know that I appreciate honest input.
You see, I misread my old friend Bill when I thought he had showed up to sell me something. And I'm glad that perhaps I can help him find the person he is looking for in his business.
But...
Bill is the exception. C. Beth mentioned that it would be "frustrating" if the "old friend" came along to recruit for the latest network marketing scheme. Well, perhaps I'm a big jaded on this one. Why? I have had more "old friends came along to recruit me or sell me something" experiences than I can remember. Like the old college friend who wanted to take me to coffee -- and recruit me for Amway. Or the couple Cathy and I knew from college that wanted us to sell Amway.
Or...
Perhaps this hits me extra hard because I naturally like people. I cherish the friendships from my past. I love to sit down and catch up on old times. So, please, don't call me up and offer me coffee or lunch...just to "use" our friendship to build your business.
I hope what I wrote is as close to a "rant" as I ever have in this blog. But I wanted to make my struggle clear.
Now, what do you think? Am I too calloused on this one? Those who know me, know that I appreciate honest input.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Tumbling Down
We bought our first home in 1977. It was a perfect time for the market in our neighborhood. We paid the astronomical price of $24,500. When we sold it less than two years later, we had gained about $1,000 a month in equity. I thought I was a real estate tycoon!
We saved some back when we bought our next house and invested it on a real estate deal. Lost every penny of that investment!
Like now, our nation was in the throes of a tough economy back then. We had also just experienced Viet Nam and Watergate. Hope was in the air for the future and everywhere you turned, people were trying to find the road to riches. You wouldn't believe how many of our friends thought they were had found that highway when they turned at a sign marked Amway.
One of the largest financial solutions to really mushroom during that era was the availability of easy credit. For everyone. To buy anything. With payments that could go on forever. With another company always in the wings to rescue us from the last loan.
Look where that got us!
We saved some back when we bought our next house and invested it on a real estate deal. Lost every penny of that investment!
Like now, our nation was in the throes of a tough economy back then. We had also just experienced Viet Nam and Watergate. Hope was in the air for the future and everywhere you turned, people were trying to find the road to riches. You wouldn't believe how many of our friends thought they were had found that highway when they turned at a sign marked Amway.
One of the largest financial solutions to really mushroom during that era was the availability of easy credit. For everyone. To buy anything. With payments that could go on forever. With another company always in the wings to rescue us from the last loan.
Look where that got us!
Friday, February 27, 2009
It's Called "Margin"
It won't butter toast (ar ar), but it makes life smoother!
I told you yesterday about buying a car. I left a part out. I didn't mention the dealer, except to commend his business reputation. I didn't leave with any question about his honesty or integrity. In fact, I would choose to do business with him again and have no trouble recommending him.
But I left less than fully satisfied. The deal was fine. The salesperson was good and I felt comfortable with him. The experience left something to be desired.
I am usually busy during my work week. This week was even more hectic. The easiest, most efficient way for me to communicate with the dealer was through email. My salesman answered my questions quickly and thoroughly. I was met, shown the car I wanted to see and taken for a test drive. I followed up with a request for the final price with all fees. It was promised the next morning -- the time I requested -- and arrived as promised. So far, so good.
I knew the salesman was checking to see if they could come down further on the price and wasn't surprised when the answer was "no." The price they quoted was well under their wholesale value already. I then asked only for one addition to the listed equipment on the car. I requested a minimum of two keys -- three if possible -- and two remote openers. Most of you know that keys are now electronically encoded and they aren't cheap!. I also know that they are a huge markup item when sold to the public.
I received two. The minimum.
I provided some basic information by email in order to speed up the paperwork process. Upon arrival, they had a few more items they needed from me. I provided those and sat down with my father-in-law to wait. We sat in the showroom, which was amazingly quiet (probably short-staffed due to the economy and and off-site sale that day). Still, no one offered us anything to drink and water or a soda would have been appreciated -- it was warm that day.
I felt like we were "outsiders", even though I had just handed them a rather large check. There were none of the little extras that say, "It's great to do business with you!" At the end, as I took the keys, the salesman thanked me for the way I handled the transaction. I walked away and that was it.
Margin. It's what happens when a person keeps their promises "and then some." It's the second mile. It's the candy on your hotel pillow. It's the unexpected bonus.
With Jesus Christ, it was "Come on down, Zacheus, for I'm going to your house today." For a girl in Genesis 24 named Rebekah, it was, "Here's some water. Wait and I'll water your camels, too!" Margin is when you reserve the time, energy and money to forsake the good and do the great.
Margin happens because we make it a priority. We don't try to blacken every square millimeter of our life parchment with the ink of activity.
Then, when we encounter others, we have something extra to give them.
Do you have Margin?
Or are you spread too thin?
I told you yesterday about buying a car. I left a part out. I didn't mention the dealer, except to commend his business reputation. I didn't leave with any question about his honesty or integrity. In fact, I would choose to do business with him again and have no trouble recommending him.
But I left less than fully satisfied. The deal was fine. The salesperson was good and I felt comfortable with him. The experience left something to be desired.
I am usually busy during my work week. This week was even more hectic. The easiest, most efficient way for me to communicate with the dealer was through email. My salesman answered my questions quickly and thoroughly. I was met, shown the car I wanted to see and taken for a test drive. I followed up with a request for the final price with all fees. It was promised the next morning -- the time I requested -- and arrived as promised. So far, so good.
I knew the salesman was checking to see if they could come down further on the price and wasn't surprised when the answer was "no." The price they quoted was well under their wholesale value already. I then asked only for one addition to the listed equipment on the car. I requested a minimum of two keys -- three if possible -- and two remote openers. Most of you know that keys are now electronically encoded and they aren't cheap!. I also know that they are a huge markup item when sold to the public.
I received two. The minimum.
I provided some basic information by email in order to speed up the paperwork process. Upon arrival, they had a few more items they needed from me. I provided those and sat down with my father-in-law to wait. We sat in the showroom, which was amazingly quiet (probably short-staffed due to the economy and and off-site sale that day). Still, no one offered us anything to drink and water or a soda would have been appreciated -- it was warm that day.
I felt like we were "outsiders", even though I had just handed them a rather large check. There were none of the little extras that say, "It's great to do business with you!" At the end, as I took the keys, the salesman thanked me for the way I handled the transaction. I walked away and that was it.
Margin. It's what happens when a person keeps their promises "and then some." It's the second mile. It's the candy on your hotel pillow. It's the unexpected bonus.
With Jesus Christ, it was "Come on down, Zacheus, for I'm going to your house today." For a girl in Genesis 24 named Rebekah, it was, "Here's some water. Wait and I'll water your camels, too!" Margin is when you reserve the time, energy and money to forsake the good and do the great.
Margin happens because we make it a priority. We don't try to blacken every square millimeter of our life parchment with the ink of activity.
Then, when we encounter others, we have something extra to give them.
Do you have Margin?
Or are you spread too thin?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008: Things I Wish We Had Learned...
...But I don't think we have!
Today we say goodbye to a year of increased challenges -- especially on the economic front. Many adults in our nation are facing financial hard times for the first time in their lives. Our season of seemingly unlimited prosperity is over for the moment and we have a great opportunity to reflect. Hopefully we could see long-term attitude and action adjustments. I doubt it, though. Here is a grab bag of changes I would hope we have the sense to make.
1. You can't borrow yourself into prosperity.
I have heard that even some economists think you can, but let's get real. Our Creator knows better and says so: "The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power." (Proverbs 22:7 The Message)
2. The best economic growth is slow and steady.
I frequently talk to people my age who are shocked that their grown children want to start their adult lives with all the things their parents have taken years to collect. An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. (Proverbs 20:21 NASB)
3. Blaming someone else for our problems will rob us of great lessons we could learn.
Of all the sad stories which have come from our money meltdown, this one disturbs me the most. "The government let this happen!" "It was those corrupt lending institutions!" "It's the president's fault!" "It's those greedy people from Wall Street (or the automakers or the unions)." Sadly, almost none of us has stepped to the front and said, "I did it. I bought things I couldn't afford. I bought a bigger house. I took out a second mortgage to buy a new SUV. I spent everything I made to add more and more stuff to my life." The Bible says, "If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy." (Proverbs 28:13 NCV)
4. We are not able to determine our own destiny.
It's a fallacy to think that we can just will ourselves back into prosperity. The very real possibility is that, by the time this recession is over, we will no longer be the world's only superpower. We Americans have arrogantly thought that we could withstand all challenges and come out on top. We have subtly supposed that we have all the answers for every problem in the world. In my limited travels in the third world, I have observed this arrogance first-hand. American missionaries go to other nations and try to impose American models of ministry. They refuse to believe that the locals are fully capable of taking the lead and developing strategies to get the job done.
5. We discover life in how much we serve, not in how much we think we DEserve.
During our economic heyday, we have had the freedom to buy virtually everything we think we want. With a little creative financing, we have constantly played Santa Claus to ourselves. The mad rush to die with the most toys has left us empty and frustrated. I would love to think that we will see a whole new spirit of people genuinely giving their lives away, even when they feel that they have nothing. If that were to happen, they might find joy that was unattainable through bloated buying.
There you have it. Five things I wish we had learned. What would you add to the list? As we say farewell to 2008, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Today we say goodbye to a year of increased challenges -- especially on the economic front. Many adults in our nation are facing financial hard times for the first time in their lives. Our season of seemingly unlimited prosperity is over for the moment and we have a great opportunity to reflect. Hopefully we could see long-term attitude and action adjustments. I doubt it, though. Here is a grab bag of changes I would hope we have the sense to make.
1. You can't borrow yourself into prosperity.
I have heard that even some economists think you can, but let's get real. Our Creator knows better and says so: "The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power." (Proverbs 22:7 The Message)
2. The best economic growth is slow and steady.
I frequently talk to people my age who are shocked that their grown children want to start their adult lives with all the things their parents have taken years to collect. An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. (Proverbs 20:21 NASB)
3. Blaming someone else for our problems will rob us of great lessons we could learn.
Of all the sad stories which have come from our money meltdown, this one disturbs me the most. "The government let this happen!" "It was those corrupt lending institutions!" "It's the president's fault!" "It's those greedy people from Wall Street (or the automakers or the unions)." Sadly, almost none of us has stepped to the front and said, "I did it. I bought things I couldn't afford. I bought a bigger house. I took out a second mortgage to buy a new SUV. I spent everything I made to add more and more stuff to my life." The Bible says, "If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy." (Proverbs 28:13 NCV)
4. We are not able to determine our own destiny.
It's a fallacy to think that we can just will ourselves back into prosperity. The very real possibility is that, by the time this recession is over, we will no longer be the world's only superpower. We Americans have arrogantly thought that we could withstand all challenges and come out on top. We have subtly supposed that we have all the answers for every problem in the world. In my limited travels in the third world, I have observed this arrogance first-hand. American missionaries go to other nations and try to impose American models of ministry. They refuse to believe that the locals are fully capable of taking the lead and developing strategies to get the job done.
5. We discover life in how much we serve, not in how much we think we DEserve.
During our economic heyday, we have had the freedom to buy virtually everything we think we want. With a little creative financing, we have constantly played Santa Claus to ourselves. The mad rush to die with the most toys has left us empty and frustrated. I would love to think that we will see a whole new spirit of people genuinely giving their lives away, even when they feel that they have nothing. If that were to happen, they might find joy that was unattainable through bloated buying.
There you have it. Five things I wish we had learned. What would you add to the list? As we say farewell to 2008, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Bank Error (not) In Your Favor
We learned something in the young fires of adversity: God always provides!
I was one of those guys who squeezed four years of college into ten. Let me clarify... I went to school for three years and mostly goofed around. Then we got married, I worked in a local church -- during which time our son was born -- and I felt God wanted me to become a pastor. Soooo, after a four-year hiatus, I went back to college as a serious student. Taking classes as much as possible while I held down a full-time job, I graduated after three more years.
It was during that time that Cathy got pregnant with twins and we didn't have health insurance. To say that money was tight was understatement.
I'll never forget the conversation as we drove home one afternoon. Cathy said she needed us to stop and pick up a few groceries. I explained that we had no money. We kept a minimum balance of $5 in our checking account and we were down to that. She told me that we couldn't do without a few very basic necessities and that our son's piggy bank contained a little bit of change we could "borrow" until payday.
We headed home, took the money from the piggy bank and drove to the grocery store.
Arriving back at our house, frugal supplies in tow, we picked up our mail. Opening it, we found a nice card from one of Cathy's aunts. It said, "We remember how tight things got sometimes when your Uncle Don was in seminary. We thought you might need this." It contained a check for $20. Other than our wedding, that may have been the only time we heard from them. That card and money was such a message of hope! (AND that's only one of the times that we received unexpected financial help during one year of our own personal recession.)
Fast forward to yesterday. I was standing in my office talking to someone about an accounting error that is costing me some dollars. We had already discovered the mistake and had taken steps to correct it right away. I found out this week that it will cost more than we originally thought and yesterday afternoon I was being told that it might still be more than I understood in the morning.
Literally in the middle of that conversation, my cell phone rang. I had picked up my car following an $800 repair job just an hour before. My mechanic was now calling to tell me that Cathy's car, which was in for a normal check-up, needs $1500 worth of work. This auto repairman has demonstrated integrity over the last 20 years or so. I know the work must be done and gave him the go ahead.
Just a moment or two later, my Blackberry buzzed, telling me I had an email. It was from a computer company that was sending me a rebate. The email said that, if I have received a check from them, don't cash it. It will bounce!
I went home a short time later, knowing that God is faithful, but feeling a little shell-shocked.
I told Cathy about it all and, when I finished she asked if she could tell me about her day. She went on to describe something that happened yesterday morning. She was able to buy some much needed quilting fabric [it's her addiction :o)] for a tiny fraction of the cost. Because she uses her hobby to make beautiful gifts for loved ones, she actually saved a bundle of future dollars.
As she told me what happened, tears were forming in my eyes.
You see, we have enough right now to take care of all these unexpected expenses. I was struggling because, just maybe it has been too easy lately to depend on my own resources to handle financial problems. My false security was being whittled away. Quilting material reminded me of words spoken by King David in the Psalm where this blog gets its name... The little that the righteous person has is better than the wealth of many wicked people.
(Psalm 37:16 GW)
These are difficult financial times. How are they affecting you?
I was one of those guys who squeezed four years of college into ten. Let me clarify... I went to school for three years and mostly goofed around. Then we got married, I worked in a local church -- during which time our son was born -- and I felt God wanted me to become a pastor. Soooo, after a four-year hiatus, I went back to college as a serious student. Taking classes as much as possible while I held down a full-time job, I graduated after three more years.
It was during that time that Cathy got pregnant with twins and we didn't have health insurance. To say that money was tight was understatement.
I'll never forget the conversation as we drove home one afternoon. Cathy said she needed us to stop and pick up a few groceries. I explained that we had no money. We kept a minimum balance of $5 in our checking account and we were down to that. She told me that we couldn't do without a few very basic necessities and that our son's piggy bank contained a little bit of change we could "borrow" until payday.
We headed home, took the money from the piggy bank and drove to the grocery store.
Arriving back at our house, frugal supplies in tow, we picked up our mail. Opening it, we found a nice card from one of Cathy's aunts. It said, "We remember how tight things got sometimes when your Uncle Don was in seminary. We thought you might need this." It contained a check for $20. Other than our wedding, that may have been the only time we heard from them. That card and money was such a message of hope! (AND that's only one of the times that we received unexpected financial help during one year of our own personal recession.)
Fast forward to yesterday. I was standing in my office talking to someone about an accounting error that is costing me some dollars. We had already discovered the mistake and had taken steps to correct it right away. I found out this week that it will cost more than we originally thought and yesterday afternoon I was being told that it might still be more than I understood in the morning.
Literally in the middle of that conversation, my cell phone rang. I had picked up my car following an $800 repair job just an hour before. My mechanic was now calling to tell me that Cathy's car, which was in for a normal check-up, needs $1500 worth of work. This auto repairman has demonstrated integrity over the last 20 years or so. I know the work must be done and gave him the go ahead.
Just a moment or two later, my Blackberry buzzed, telling me I had an email. It was from a computer company that was sending me a rebate. The email said that, if I have received a check from them, don't cash it. It will bounce!
I went home a short time later, knowing that God is faithful, but feeling a little shell-shocked.
I told Cathy about it all and, when I finished she asked if she could tell me about her day. She went on to describe something that happened yesterday morning. She was able to buy some much needed quilting fabric [it's her addiction :o)] for a tiny fraction of the cost. Because she uses her hobby to make beautiful gifts for loved ones, she actually saved a bundle of future dollars.
As she told me what happened, tears were forming in my eyes.
You see, we have enough right now to take care of all these unexpected expenses. I was struggling because, just maybe it has been too easy lately to depend on my own resources to handle financial problems. My false security was being whittled away. Quilting material reminded me of words spoken by King David in the Psalm where this blog gets its name... The little that the righteous person has is better than the wealth of many wicked people.
(Psalm 37:16 GW)
These are difficult financial times. How are they affecting you?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
It grows where?
The Boston Granddaughter recently discovered the joy of fall apples. She was surprised to find out that they grow on trees!
We all know about something green that can't be picked from a tree and seems to be more challenging to find anywhere lately. Like many churches, our giving slumps some during the summer. (Can you spell 110? In the shade?) In addition, it's the time of year with the largest expenses, like camps, mission trips and VBS. That doesn't even factor in our potent electric bills during the hot months.
Every year, we seem to get back on course in the early fall and have been blessed with great financial stability. We don't say too much about finances. (We aren't shy about it -- I preach a very "no holds barred" series on managing money each year -- and we emphasize that we serve a generous God who wants us to do likewise.) Well, we aren't bouncing back as usual this Autumn.
Our attendance is stable, about the same as last fall. That means a lot, because we have a ton of families from the military and Homeland Security who attend and this was a HUGE attrition year for us. The fact that God has given us enough new people to replace those who left is significant. The money, though, has slowed down. It could be the economy. Or the time gap between attending and faithful giving. Whatever the reason, we are forced to make adjustments.
Enter Josh. Josh is a fairly young guy who spent ten years flying helicopters in the Marines. Josh was the surprise applicant when we told the church we needed a new Office Manager. Josh has capably been learning to manage our day-to-day budget. Now, Josh is getting his baptism of fire. He didn't create this mess, but he somehow feels it must partly be his fault. I asked him to bring me a report of exactly where we stand. He brought that report to me yesterday, along with projections and prognostications based on past performance.
This is where it gets funny. Imagine Josh, still with a buzz cut, maintaining much of the bearing and control common among "The Few... The Proud..." Josh, the faithful listener to right-wing radio talk shows. Josh, the tall, strong, macho guy that I thought would strangle me when I quipped (joking) that I was voting for Hillary in the primary. Josh, I am certain, has lost sleep over our finances. What can we do? Where will this lead?
"The thing that concerned me most," he said, "was that I knew we would be okay if we could just raise church taxes. Oh, no! I've become a Democrat!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)