Just recently my
daughter was going over all that she wants for Christmas…..Yes I do realize it
is only August and that is the main reason I was only halfway listening to
her. What caught my ear was “and more
food for the children’s home in case they ate it all already and toys for the
kids”. Just a few weeks back we had the
opportunity to donate food to a children’s home. It was announced at church and I thought to
myself “ I will write them a check and it will make it easier for
everyone” I had no clue my daughter was
listening until later that day she asked when we were going to the store to buy
food for the kids. I made sure we went
to the grocery store on a day both of my daughters could go help. We loaded up the bags with food on the list
and unloaded it at the church. She was
just so pleased with herself knowing that she made a difference in those kids'
lives.
This finally brings
me to my point. So many people in this
day and age are living with debt. There are
quite a few following all the right steps to get out of this debt and have more
freedom financially. All they can think about it save, save, save. Saving is good but giving plays a huge part
in our ability to have the right mindset to save.
I heard on Dave
Ramsey one day a gentleman ask if he should stop contributing to his church in
order to put that money towards debt. Dave's answer hit the nail right on
the head, he said "no, continue giving, if you can’t live off of 90% of
your income you won’t be able to live off of 100%”. When you sit down and put a
pencil to your personal finances there are so many places in your life you can
cut back, things that are unnecessary such as eating out, cable tv, and
entertainment. Those are the places you save. By not giving and
tithing you are only harming yourself and getting set back from your goal to
get out of debt. Giving not only
generates good but also generates contentment. There are so many movies I have left thinking
“I could have lived without that” There
is not a single time in my life where I have intentionally helped someone in
need, a charity, or my church and walked away feeling regret.
Give with a joyful
heart, out of love and not guilt, and you will be blessed while being a
blessing to others.
