Another Financial Testimony

A RiverGlen attender shared this story with me and gave me permission to pass along:

“I started attending RG regularly, but was tithing irregularly, partly out of fear of not having enough money, but also because I didn’t understand the importance or Biblical principle for giving. After hearing a message about having faith, and placing our trust in God in ALL things, I decided to give it a shot. So I prayed. I promised God that I would be faithful in giving, and would trust that He would not abandon me in my times of need.  I feel strongly about this covenant I’ve made with the Lord.  God was definitely keeping his side of the bargain.     

Fast forward to fall 2008. I took part in the Financial Peace series that was led by Kari and her husband Don. I had decided that I needed to take the next step toward my Christian fiscal responsibility. I wanted to pay off debt, and take charge of my finances. Over the course of 3 yrs, I had accumulated $8000.00 in credit card debt. I was making payments, and not living check to check, but I was paying interest on that debt. By following the principals put forth by Dave Ramsey, I made adjustments, got my $1000.00 emergency fund together, and have paid off all but $1000.00 of that $8000.00 debt. Has it taken sacrifice on my part? Yes! Is it tough to stay on track? ABSOLUTELY!!! BUT IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH IT! What freedom to feel in control and in charge of where my dollars go! And long term, I will be able to give back to those less fortunate, because I am taking responsibility for the blessings God has given me, and becoming a better steward of all He has provided me with here on this earth.”

Financial Freedom Testimony

Weekend before last someone came up to me in the lobby after the service.  Told me a story about getting out of debt.  I think it helps to hear real life stories.  They’re inspiring.  They’re helpful.  Sometimes it helps to know we’re not the only one who struggles and there is hope.  This person wrote it down, and gave me permission to share.   

“After college I found myself in thirty thousand dollars worth of debt.

 I had just started my first job and thought I’d be able to pay it off in no time.  But living on your own in the middle of a city was expensive.  As Dave Ramsey puts it “I had too much month left at the end of my money”.  Just the minimums on all my debt was eating up a significant portion of my income and yet the balances never seemed to go down.  I was depressed.  I made good money for someone my age yet I had no money left to save or even enjoy life.  My degrees in accounting and finance taught me everything about money yet nothing about what to do with my own.  I decided to learn as much as possible about personal money management and get myself out of this mess.  I read every book out there.

It wasn’t easy.  I had to tighten the belt.  No more cable, no more dining out, no more Starbucks…ok less Starbucks.  It was a slow process at first.  I was making sacrifices to put an extra couple hundred dollars a month toward my debt and it seemed like it wasn’t helping.  But slowly balances started to come down and I finally paid off my first credit card.  Now, three years later, I’ll pay off my last student loan and be debt free in a couple months.

At this point in my life, I wasn’t even a Christian yet.  But looking back, I know God was starting to go to work in my life.  My financial troubles actually kept me from many things that separated me from God for so long.  I couldn’t afford the drinking, partying, endless need for “stuff”.  I look back at this part of my life, and even though it was very difficult, I gained so much more than just financial freedom.

Patience, discipline, sacrifice to name a few.

The hardest part of getting out my financial mess was dealing with my peers.  I had to swallow a lot of pride driving my clunker to work everyday, and my co-workers didn’t make it any easier.  But when that car died, I paid for my new car (used to me) in cash.  It’s hard to explain to people why you want to get out of debt so bad when it’s ingrained in our culture that debt is an acceptable part of life.

After reading Barry’s book, its more apparent to me more than ever that God does not want us to be in debt.  I truly hope this series motivates people to get out of debt.  Life is so much more enjoyable when you’re not giving all your money to banks!“

Leadership Community Wednesday, Aug. 26

This Wednesday all our volunteers and leaders (and people interested in volunteering) are invited to this gathering from 6-8pm.  We’ll provide dinner.  I’m going to talk about what we have in store as a church for this Fall and beyond.  We have some new initiatives I’[m excited to tell you about.  We’ll commission Dave Kowal as elder.  We’ll huddle in various ministry areas for training and planning and prayer.  Sign up this weekend or email shera@riverglen.cc  Hope to see you Wednesday night!   Ben

SOAP Method for Proverbs 31 from Ben

Scripture – Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
       but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

Observation – Proverbs 31 describes a woman of noble character.  Verse 10 – she has precious value.  Verse 11 – her husband trusts her.  Verse 12 – she brings him good.  Verses 13 and 15 – she works hard and provides food.  Verse 17 – she helps the poor.  Verses 21 and 22 – she weaves clothes.  Verse 25 – she is strong.  Verse 25 – she can laugh.  Verse 26 – she speaks wise words.  Verse 27 – she is not lazy.  Verses 27-28 – her children and husband speak well of her.  Verse 30 summarizes the section – “beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Application – Several years ago I spoke at the funeral for my aunt.  I used this text to talk about her life.  I can’t think of a better way to honor a woman.  Today as I read it again – verse 30 jumped out at me because it is so counter cultural.  Woman must feel a lot of pressure in our culture to look beautiful.  There are so many beauty products and clothes, etc.  I’m glad I’m a man.    Beauty is a gift from God.  I’m blessed with beautiful wife and daughter.  But as verse 30 points out beauty is fleeting.  More important is our walk with God.  I remember preparing for my aunt’s funeral – meeting with her children and husband – listening to them talk about her life and what meant the most to them – by far – was her character. 

Prayer – God, I pray for the women of RiverGlen.  Thank you for blessing our church with so many women who love and serve you.  I pray for our women’s ministry to continue to make more and better Christian women.  I pray that you will use our church to raise up lots of Proverbs 31 women.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

SOAP Method for Proverbs 30 from Ben

Scripture – Proverbs 30:8b-9 – “…give me neither poverty nor riches,
       but give me only my daily bread.

 ⁹ Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
       and say, ‘Who is the LORD ?’
       Or I may become poor and steal,
       and so dishonor the name of my God.”

Observation – This is a gutsy prayer.  Asking God to make sure you don’t get rich.  Can you imagine praying – “God please don’t give me a raise.”  “God please don’t give me a large inheritance.”  “God don’t cause my investments to grow too much”.  To pray that sincerely is almost unimaginable.  The other prayer in this passage is much easier to pray.  “God don’t make me poor”.  The author explains that poverty may lead to stealing.  Wealth may lead to arrogance and independence.  To avoid the danger of either extreme he prays for God to meet his daily needs. 

Application – As I read these verses they jumped off the page because I don’t remember reading this section before.  It’s the prayer nobody wants to pray but it is very wise – “God don’t make me rich or poor but give me daily bread.”  It’s a mature attitude about money.  It’s pure.  It’s humble.  It’s a heathy expectation.   

It occurred to me, my opinion, that this type of attitude probably honors God and causes Him to release more blessings in our lives.  If we have the right attitude, wealth can be used for good.  If we don’t clutch money too tightly, if we don’t love or crave money, God can use it for tremendous good in our lives, and in our church, to make more and better Christians.  It’s a gutsy prayer but it reflects a humble heart.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this verse.  Does it sound like the right attitude to you?

Prayer – God, I don’t want money to ever replace you as the most important person in my life.  Thank you for blessing me with more than I need or deserve.  Help me to remember I always need you.  You (not money) sustain me.  Whether I’m rich or poor – whether the economy is up or down – you stay the same.  I’m always rich in love and peace and grace because of you.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

SOAP Method for Proverbs 29 from Ben

Scripture – Proverbs 29:23 –  “A man’s pride brings him low,
       but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.”

Observation – This proverb explains a paradox.  Pride takes us down, and humility takes us up.  If you think too highly of yourself, if you look down at others, if you think you are superior to other people, then life will eventually bring you down.  Life will take you down a notch or two or more.  But if you have a “lowly spirit” you will be blessed and honored.  “Lowly spirit” does not mean you feel inferior to everyone else, it means that you have an accurate view of yourself.  Many scriptures throughout the Bible echo this principle of God honoring the humble.  Proverbs 3:34 is repeated multiple times – “He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.”  It goes against our natural intuition, but the way up is down. 

Application – Humility doesn’t mean that I am down on myself all the time, or think I don’t do anything well, or feel inferior to other people.  It means that I accurately see myself in relationship to God.  I am aware of my sin and dependence on God’s grace.  I know God loves me and forgives and that empowers me to serve and love others.  If you do what God wants you to do, that is humility.  One time someone challenged something I did.  They said – “Ben I thought you were humble.”  I have a long way to go in this area, but in response I said that I prayed a lot about what I did, I got counsel from other godly people who affirmed it, and I felt convinced that God wanted me to do this.  I don’t know if it changed the person’s mind, but I think humility is simply doing what God wants you to do.  Humility is being surrendered to God.  We do His will, not our will.        

Prayer – God, thank you for this reminder that the way up is down.  That is so counter cultural.  I need lots of reminding.  I pray you would help me to grow in my understanding and practice of humility.  Sometimes it is confusing.  Sometimes I am blind to pride in my life.  I ask for eyes to see more clearly and a heart that is willing to have a “lowly spirit”.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

SOAP Method for Proverbs 28 from Ben

Scripture – Proverbs 28:27 – “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
       but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.”

Observation – This entire chapter has a lot to say about helping the poor. 

³ A ruler who oppresses the poor
       is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

6 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
       than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

⁸ He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest
       amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

²² A stingy man is eager to get rich
       and is unaware that poverty awaits him.

²⁷ He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
       but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

Application– I must admit that I read these verses differently after spending a week last Fall in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, and also after seeing similar poverty in Reynosa, Mexico.  I used to think that poor people were lazy.  Sometimes that is the case.  But poverty is a much deeper and bigger problem.  And it’s not just in other countries.  It’s a problem in our community.  I’m so glad that as a church we have stepped up in this area.  We have a long way to go.  But it’s good that we are more actively involved in helping the poor and doing something to help transform poverty.  In partnership with a church from Colorado we have helped start a new Christian school for children living in a slum area called Baba Ndogo.  In October, Keith Hamm, a missionary from Kenya will be with us on the weekend to update us.  I’m really looking forward to hearing from him about how God is working to help the poor. 

Prayer- God thank you for these verses that tell us to help the poor.  We don ‘t do it to receive, but you are so good that we get blessed when we help them.  I thank you for opening a door of opportunity for RiverGlen to help the poor in Kenya.  Thank you that the people of RiverGlen stepped up and sponsored 130+ children.  I pray that you will use this new school to make more and better Christians in Baba Ndogo.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

SOAP Method for Proverbs 27 from Ben

Scripture – Proverbs 27:19 – “As water reflects a face,
       so a man’s heart reflects the man.”

Observation – This verse is similar to Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart,  for it is the wellspring of life.”  The heart is the essence of our person.  The center of our being.  The seat of emotions, motives, wisdom, willpower, etc.  All of that is stored up in our hearts.  Jesus also emphasized the role of our hearts.  He said – “…the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’”  (Matthew 15:18)  Someone said the mouth is a billboard for the heart.  Proverbs and Jesus teach that as our heart goes, so goes our life.        

Application– It’s interesting that Proverbs and Jesus make a big deal about the condition of our hearts, and yet we don’t always give it the attention it deserves.  For example, typically, we tend to look for and hire people based on their skills and talent, and if they have a good heart that’s a bonus.  Jesus would probably have different priorities and perspective and flip that around.  A lot of times people can learn the skills needed for the job.  I gave a message on Proverbs 4 and the heart a few weeks ago and it’s been on mind.  Am I guarding and taking good care of my heart?  Do I put enough focus an attention on my heart?  The most important thing about me is the condition of my spiritual heart.

Prayer – God, I want to have a heat that is clean, pure and beats with your heart.  I want my heart to reflect more of your character.  I want my new heart, the heat you gave me, to shine through in my words and actions everyday.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

SOAP Method for Proverbs 26 from Ben

Scripture – Proverbs 26:22 – “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
       they go down to a man’s inmost parts.”

Observation – Like a candy bar or a sweet tasting dessert, gossip is like a morsel that tastes good to us.  It is alluring.  It makes us feel good in a twisted sort of way.  Hearing negative information about someone else makes us feel better about ourselves.  It gives us a temporary high.  The downside is that gossip destroys relationships.  Verse 20 says – “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down”.  Gossip morphs and changes as it spreads and fuels fires.  Proverbs 16:28 says – “gossip separates close friends.”  Gossip is like a wildfire that burns down friendships, ministries, and even churches.              

Application– I need to draw a line that I will not speak negatively about anybody behind their back.  Not only will I avoid gossip, I need to do the opposite and use words to build people.  Encourage people.  Help people.  I need to spread good rumors about people.  I got an email last week.  Someone scanned in a letter to the editor of the local newspaper.  The letter praised the Summer Spectacular children’s event RiverGlen held last month.  Someone spread kind of a a positive rumor about the church.  That’s cool.  That’s the opposite of gossip.  That’s how love behaves.      

Prayer – God, I want to use my words to build up people rather than tear them down.  Help me to have the strength and courage and self control to not only refrain from speaking gossip, but also to refrain from listening to it.  I want all my words to honor you.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

SOAP Method for Proverbs 25 from Ben

Scripture – Proverbs 25:11-12 – “A word aptly spoken
       is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

 12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
       is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.”

Observation– This passage is one of many in Proverbs that teaches the importance of teachability.  Teachable people seek advice from other people and listen to it.  Both verses equate the value of wise words with gold.  An apple of gold in verse 11.  An earring of gold in verse 12.  And an ornament of fine gold in verse 12.  Just as gold is rare and valuable, so is the blessing of listening to wise, truth tellers.    

Application– I read an article tonight written by Paul Williams that fits this theme of teachability.  Williams wrote an article about longevity in ministry.  He has served in his current position for 30 years.  He wrote about the importance of listening.  Listening to what people affirm about you and also what they don’t affirm about you.  He says – “In their praise you will see the shadow areas in which you need to grow – those realms in which they are not affirming you.”  He writes about how hard it is to find environments of honesty and so “you have to be instructed by silence.”  I never thought about being teachable by listening to what people say and don’t say.  I thought it was an interesting point.

Prayer- God, thank you for the blessing of truth tellers.  Thank you for friends who give me honest feedback.  Thanks for the friends today who gave me feedback on the sermon for this weekend.  I pray for wisdom to grow more teachable and less defensive.  To be instructed by what people say and don’t say.  To create and engage in enviornments where the truth is spoken in love.  In Jesus name, Amen.