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Weird People…we need more of ’em!
Debt is normal in this country today. But that doesn’t make it smart or okay. Financially speaking, being normal in today’s society means being broke. According to the Wall Street Journal, 70 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. And did you know that 34 percent of the people who retire this year will do so with an income of less than $10,000 a year? That’s scary! Can you see why I don’t want to be normal? So, if managing my money properly and retiring with dignity…is weird, then I want to be the weirdest guy around! - Dave Ramsey
My wife, Cathy, and I are weird, at least according to Dave Ramsey’s definition (and maybe the worlds!) But it hasn’t always been this way for us. While we’re no financial whizzes and don’t have huge incomes, we’ve tried to manage our money according to God’s Word over the years. That’s not without some missteps along the way; (just ask me about our vehicle purchases in the 1990’s). So yes, we still have some work to do to fully honor God with the resources He’s blessed us with. That being said, I have to tell you about a recent experience at our bank.
We met with a customer service rep to update our account. He offered us another credit card, and we told him that the one we had was enough. He went over all of the benefits of another credit card, and seemed surprised when we stuck to our ‘no’. Then he asked what we owed on our mortgage and encouraged us to get a home equity line of credit.
We said, “No”.
“What about your cars?” he asked. “You know, you could use a home equity loan to buy a new vehicle.” We told him we owned both of our older model cars and they were just fine. He offered a credit card for our college age son, and we said, “No, our son shouldn’t have to pay for a pizza and shampoo for the next three years.” We added that we were trying to encourage our kids to buy only what they could afford in college and not go into debt.
He stopped asking questions and looked at us like we were from Mars or Venus or some distant planet. In his mind, I’m sure he thought that debt, credit cards, car payments and the lifestyle it supports is how you’re supposed to live life!
So, I’m okay with being weird. And I’ve met people at Grace who are weird; people who’ve made choices and are retired with a comfortable income. A couple in their 30’s who don’t use credit cards and have a plan on how and when they’ll pay off their home mortgage. A retiree who is able to volunteer to do Kingdom work regularly because he has enough savings – a result of choosing to live a balanced lifestyle for many years. Or perhaps a couple with several teens who regularly give to God’s work, are saving for retirement, have no consumer debt, and are passing that ‘weirdness’ on to their kids.
Hey, being weird can be rewarding, but it takes work to intentionally honor God with your resources.
My hope is for more and more of us here at Grace to be weird in the world’s eyes and honor God with our financial decisions. That will be a good thing!
For His Kingdom,
Pastor Chris
P.S. I recognize that in today’s economic conditions, many people are just struggling financially to make it day to day. Just know that it takes time, and now is as good as any to start making God-honoring decisions about our resources. With God, all things are possible…and He can help us all to be weird!
Books
Recommended books on stewardship
It All Goes Back In The Box by John Ortberg
God And Your Stuff: The Vital Link
Between
Your Possessions and Your Soul by Wesley K. Willmer
Fields Of Gold by Andy Stanley
Secrets Of The Generous Life by Gordon MacDonald
Money, Possessions And Eternity by Randy Alcorn
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
Outside Links
Good $ense
Good $ense Money Management
Crown
Financial Ministry
startribune
Money section
cccsatl
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
Luther Seminary
Luther Seminary Stewardship page
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Downloads
Guide for Giving (pdf)