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!

A Little Financial Advice

I'm no economics expert, but history bears a certain pattern to America ignoring the laws of Elohim, specifically when it comes to Sabbath and work.  Most of this country completely disregards the command to rest on Sabbath.  As a matter of fact, more money exchanges hands on Friday night and Saturday, than any other time in the week.  A great deal of money is handled on Sunday morning, but it is far from an exchange or transaction.  The reason I am bringing this up now, is many things in our society indicate great calamity is potentially at hand.

I believe the collapse, control and possible containment may actually come hand in hand.  Here are my thoughts of practicality.  I am not saying it's going to happen tomorrow, but we all know, this cannot continue at the present rate.  Now that most everyone uses debit cards, resetting everyone back to zero is really only a matter of hitting a switch.  I'm not suggesting bigger barns or hoarding, but the bottom line is, tissues and toilet paper could in reality be more valuable than dollar bills, very soon.  It truly doesn't hurt to lay in a little supply of things we do use perpetually.  Coffee drinkers, we absolutely know coffee is more valuable than money!

I shared with someone recently, that I've made a point of keeping my tithe in accessible cash on a monthly basis, and plan to pay my taxes as soon s the bill arrives this year.  In dealing with banks, something became very clear, a number of years back.  There is no slack or wait time in running my check through, as everything is virtually an e transaction now, but; deposits on the other hand, can take up to five days to post.  So leave yourself some breathing room for working around a potential electronic glitch.  This is not fearmongering, but merely a reminder as to how lopsided the economy is already functioning.  I could be wrong, but I'm guessing we'll make it through the first Tuesday in November.

On a positive note, handling transactions in cash or having a few extra supplies on hand is also a great plan for the upcoming winter.  It doesn't hurt to have a few extra cans of soup on hand or supplies that you know you'll use.  Take an inventory of your pantry and cupboards.  See what would be more valuable than money, just in case the powers that be hit the reset button.  If we don't need the extras in the pantry, I'm sure we all know someone who could use a little help.

10% - 90%

When we think of tithing, do we ever consider that really it all belongs to G-d?  He is our provider, and we are His children, so I've taken a reversed perspective now.  I remember the days of hearing, "You can do more with a blessed 90% than a cursed 100%."  I've lived that out to know it's true.  I remember the old days of working and working and not walking with YHWH.  I can testify that tithing changed my finances, but the reality is, G-d changed my life.  When I began following Messiah, my priorities changed.

Tithing was one of the first changes made in my new life.  It was nearly 20 years before I realized, not only do I give the first fruits to Abba, I'm responsible for the fact that He trusts me with 90% to be used at my discretion, which should be in accordance with what is pleasing to Him.   In glorifying Him, paying bills comes after the tithe . . . all both of them.  That's one of the blessings I've noticed about realizing "it all belongs to Him."  I don't have as many expenses.  My hobbies actually support me, which I think many of also overlook.  What we call hobbies or interests are probably really the talents we were given to provide us a way to earn a living.

A time tithe was also imperative in my walk with Messiah.  When I make time in the Word and time in prayer a genuine priority, I am aware of His presence in more of the rest of my day.  I have also discovered something that I think every believer should consider.  Quiet time is essential.  So much noise in our daily lives actually drowns out the Voice of Abba.  Whether it's time or provision, it's all in His hand.  What He entrusts to us is a gift from Him.  What we do with what He gives us, is our gift to Him!