Management and Priorities

Have you ever heard someone talk about how generous they would be if they ever "hit it big?"  I've heard people talk about how much they'd donate if they win the lottery or how much they'd give to charity if they ever became wealthy.  Then there are those with a steady income, always in some sort of financial crisis, regularly relying on the kindness of others, who basically have the same income.  The problem is really not in dollars and cents, but in management and priorities.  I'm not preaching the trendy prosperity message here, but there are a number of Scriptures that do state our Creator will provide.  I realize there are many who are perpetually in need that believe He uses their circle of influence to make that provision, but I'm not so sure I agree with that, especially when it appears to be perpetual.

My monthly income is not large, but as a rule, my expenses are not large either.  What I have noticed is when Abba brings someone my way for assistance, the provision is available.  Another factor that is really becoming plain, is the number of folks who really wouldn't need financial assistance if they were open to learning financial management and realign their priorities.  Our nation has cheated at least three generations from good old fashioned money management skills and encouraged debt beyond what anyone can repay.

Not everyone is waiting for the powerball or an inheritance.  Some folks are just sure when they get a raise, everything is going to suddenly fall into place.  I've even heard folks tell me when they get a raise, then they'll be able to afford to tithe and save . . . A tithe is a percentage.  I realize the current religious jury is out on determining just what we need to do in the area of tithing, but when someone thinks they need to make more money to have 10%, their base thinking is skewed.  It is completely possible with US currency to have and give 10% of a dime . . . it's called a penny.  A dime is 10% of a dollar, so if financial tithing is enough of a priority to mention "when it's affordable," it's time to reconsider the perspective, and factor in that perhaps the lack of giving is the cause of the financial strain.  I'm not talking about a mega church building fund here, either; but giving for the glory of YHWH.

The people who are the most giving, simply give of what they have.  The most generous people don't usually have the most in life, but are content with what they have.  I'm reminded of the poor widow's mite.  She didn't say, when she was as wealthy as the Pharisees or the tax collectors that she'd give, NO, she gave what she had.

There are a number of folks, myself included that get taken in with the idea that if we regularly help our grown kids, it's somehow righteous.  Ninety percent of the time, we're operating in guilt and/or control, rather than righteous servants of the Most High.  If our grown kids regularly need to be subsidised and bailed out, then we didn't teach them properly, and if we continue to subsidise we're enabling.  Even with all the tithing debate, there is no way on "G-d's green earth" to even remotely label the subsidizing of grown children as ministry.

A man who made a very nice living, but was still struggling told me if he could just make so many more dollars an hour, he'd be set.  When he shared the amount of his current income, it was all I could do to maintain a poker face.  I couldn't imagine someone just blowing through that kind of money every month.  I literally could not wrap my mind around it.  It was in my moment of shock and silence, I heard the still small voice telling me.  "those who are faithful in the little things will be given much."  I was then able to look at him with compassion and simply state.  "G-d won't give you more of what you are already struggling to handle."

For those who are hoping a windfall or a raise solves the problems, it won't.  For those with "big plans" if the ship ever comes in, it likely won't.  There are actually sad statistics for those who have received a windfall of one kind or another who are now bankrupt.  Stewardship is almost a forgotten word in spiritual teaching, but it needs to come back.  Financial management and G-dly priorities are part of our witness.  Paying our bills is part of our witness.  I don't believe prosperity comes from the lottery or from donating to a televangelist, but from obedient stewardship, conscientious management, and being content with what we have.

As for being a financial hero when the big money comes in . . . Yeah right.  What are we doing to improve our little corner where we are with what YHWH has given us?
Whether it's entitlements or just constant complaining about one's income, it boils down to one of two things.  Either G-d isn't providing or we're wanting what someone else has.

 Thou shalt not covet . . .

Assistance

The last couple of weeks I've noticed a real upsurge in requests for financial assistance and spiritual advice regarding money across social media.  Although I don't consider myself to be wealthy, I do know YHWH is my provider, provides well, and I'm debt free, but I am still in this world and like it or not, some things require money.  I'm heading off grid to eventually pay no electric bill, but to do that requires me to purchase a battery bank, and even if I could make solar panels and wind turbines, I can't make them out of air and rocks.  I do know there is a day coming in which buying and selling will not be an option without the mark, therefore; I am investing now for what I think we may need then.

I offer financial assistance in some situations and in others I offer products as a gift, but truth be told, some situations actually need financial management instruction and work ethic motivation.  I do not subsidize poor money management.  I can't afford to!  As long as we are in this world, before Messiah returns, we have to accept the fact that life in this world is not free.  Of all things the public education does not teach and parents tend to not prepare children for is budgeting.  Oh, I grew up being made to have a savings account and tithe, but other than being told how much and when, I was clueless.  I had to learn by trial and unfortunately error . . .

That is why I truly want to help people, not just throw money at them and certainly not judge them.  Many folks have not been taught good financial planning or budgeting, and sadly today there are few examples of a good work ethic.  Knowing, my entire adult life, I had to make it on my own, I really would like to help folks budget for independence and develop a strong work ethic that will carry them through their life.  Yes YHWH does provide, but part of His provision is giving us talents to use to make a living.  It's not about "making money" it's about using our talents to provide for our life and family.  Some of that provision will involve money, but much of our life really doesn't need to.  We just haven't really been taught a good way of money management and prioritizing is difficult for nearly everyone.

I realize any of us can fall on hard times and the economic condition of our country is alarming, which is all the more reason to learn a better way of money management and less dependency on our current system.  I am not advising people to exchange their dollars for silver, at this time, but I wholeheartedly recommend whittling down the number of dollars you depend upon in life.  We have to prioritize and the priorities are shelter and food to start with, then other things.  David wrote that he'd never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging . . . Paul penned that we are to be content with what we have, where we are.

We've been programmed to believe our worth is based upon our possessions and the terms rest and entertainment have been exchanged in the connecting term "leisure."  This nation has produced two generations, going on three now that are of age for the work force, but programmed to believe their leisure time should be their top priority.  Scripturally, leisure time isn't even an issue and a good life provides it's own entertainment!

Your Call is Important

When did ministry become a money making career for so many?  I realize back when our society in general was more religious, rabbis and pastors were dealing with congregants nearly every day.  Although rabbis often had their own homes, many pastors lived in the parsonage.   Even with rabbis living in their own homes, the Jewish community was established for all be within walking distance of the synagogue on Shabbat.  Parsonage, for all practical purposes has become an archaic term.

Much of the ministry in America has become politically and economically powerful with ministers living large and rabbis being quite influential.  I'm not suggesting for a moment that servants of YHWH should live like squirrels in winter, not at all, but the reality of the matter is pretty simple.  If the religious organizations were actually fulfilling their true purpose, a 501c3 would be unnecessary.  Taking care of widows, orphans, and veterans would probably keep most religious organizations quite busy, and certainly below any tax bracket.  Actually working in our specified call would eliminate a great deal of unnecessary travel and activities that are truly "uncalled" for.  A great many  false prophecies and teachings would be eliminated if folks actually walked and worked in their call.

Now, does that mean a pastor should not give a call to repentance and wait for the evangelist?  Absolutely not, but it does mean a pastor doesn't need to be jet setting all over the world, if he is called to shepherd a flock.  Evangelists and prophets should probably be the ones doing most of the traveling, and teachers should be teaching by example first, and words second!  Apostles are trailblazers and missionaries, so they are usually led to establish, then outreach in meeting the needs around them, but also to welcome and work with the other four offices of ministry.

Not that I am claiming to have all the organization or administrative answers, but the duties of the five offices are explained throughout Scripture.  There's no need for so much overlap and confusion, and no need for anything to be going undone.  And as for widows, orphans, and folks in need, every child of G-d is called to meet those needs when they become aware of them.  I do believe it would be amazing for all five calls to be working together in ministries.  I continue to pray for that, here and in other areas as well.

It's time for pastors to tend the flock and live within respectable means.  It's time for teachers to realize the best lesson is a good example.  It's time for prophets to sound the warnings and evangelists to tell the whole Gospel which includes Torah obedience, and it's time for folks to get results from apostles and elders without the need of hospitals.  A 501c3 is completely unnecessary and ministry should not be a business!