March 3, 2006

• How do we escape the grip of money and materialism?

  
  

   

  
  

  By giving.  While prayer and growing more in love with God are also crucial, I’m going to focus on giving for this entry.  Let me illustrate with my story… please persevere in reading, I think it will encourage you…

  
  

   

  
  

  Early last year (2005) I felt it on my heart to pledge to give my usual 10% tithe to the church but also give an extra 10% offering to missions, whether in America or elsewhere.  I knew I would be challenged in this, but I was determined to follow through and see what God would do.

  
  

   

  
  

  I began working in August 2005 and I knew I would be working until at least December or probably January 2006.  I had some goals.  I felt I needed to have saved X amount of money in my savings account by January 2006.  That money would be put away in bonds for the future… perhaps to pay for a wedding ring, honeymoon or mission expenditure.  I calculated my salary and could see if I also would later sell my Thunderbird, I’d have some spending money for fun and also would have saved that X amount of money.

  
  

   

  
  

  But then things started changing.  I felt God put on my heart the desire to give a large amount of money to someone as an extra offering.  I saw myself just being able to have enough money to do so, as long as I could sell my Thunderbird for a lot of money.  I admit, I was nervous, but I felt determined to do what was on my heart.

  
  

   

  
  

  Then I received an unexpected large sum of money from someone as a gift.  After giving 20% of it to my church and to missions, I was left with enough to cover that large offering I felt led to give.  Praise God!  Then I also I received the unexpected $18,000 of support money from my mom’s friend specifically for my mission effort.  And then I received some more unexpected money from relatives as gifts.  That was not normal.  God was blowing me away.

  
  

   

  
  

  Because of the gifts, I was able to have that X amount of money put away by early December.  And instead of having to sell my Thunderbird to some stranger, I was able to give it to a friend.  That brought me so much joy!  All through this time I was also able to eat out now and then, go to the movies, travel to Tech a few times, and buy some CD’s and books I wanted.  And I also got birthday and Christmas presents for family, of course.  =)

  
  

   

  
  

  God is faithful.  I read this verse today… Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ – Hebrews 13:5. 

  
  

   

  
  

  Thank you to Wooj, David Koh, Sung, Sang, Alex, Heather, and Chickenman who commented on my last xanga.  Sung’s story (CSI8923) about his relationship with his father was beautiful.  Praise God!  Know that God wants to reward you and bless you, but He wants you to trust in Him and rely on Him.  I have an iPod, North Face jacket, nice camera, nice new laptop, new DVD player, and a very nice cell phone with me here in Korea.  ALL WERE GIFTS.  Amazing, right?  Be faithful and give, you will learn how God truly is in control.  He will be pleased and will bless you.  Malachi 3:10 is a promise. Sadly, the curse in the verse before it for those who do not give is a promise too.  Give, friends. 

  
  

   

  
  

  United Live – My God

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