Oh my gosh, Jordan, what the heck did you start!
I am currently praying over a personal challenge and I invite you to join me… The Journey towards 50!
What the heck am I talking about?
I am going to formulate a plan and work out how I can pay off debts, be credit free, shop and live more frugal, work wiser, and even make more money, so that I can reach a point in my life and walk were I am living off of 50% of my income and the rest is given to those in need… social justice causes, missions, the poor, etc.
It freaks me out a bit even writing about it… This has been stirring heavily on me since this sermon series started and hearing the message last night about helping the poor and how the Bible speaks to this over 2,000 times has said much to my soul… Please pray that I can get there and I’d sure like you to join me on this journey towards 50… the journey towards living off 50%.
All tips and suggestions for us are welcome…
The Lord with Cattle on a Thousand Hills ROCKS!
Keiger
3 comments:
Oh my gosh, Keiger, what the heck did you start? hmm i believe it's a revolution =)
Now THAT is some real Christian living =) Go JesUS, Go JeSus.. from money he Frees uS!
Giving 50% to social justice, the poor, missions, etc.??
Let's have lunch and I can tell you all about this place I happen to work at called Palama Settlement ... you know, a non-profit that was started as a mission of Central Union Church and then became a social service agency serving the poor and at-risk youth, adults, and seniors living in the Kalihi, Palama, and Liliha neighborhoods....muhaha.... just kidding!
It would be amazing when you are able to reach that point in your life.
One thing I thought of, that my small group on Thursday actually talked about too, was what it means to "help" the poor, homeless, etc. I told the folks in my group, from my perspective in working in a non-profit that is really in the middle of one of the poorest most crime ridden areas in the state, I remember and think of TWO things whenever I pass a homeless person, see children playing in dumpsters on the street, see parents/guardians waiting for some food on the steps of one of our programs because they don't have enough money for food let alone anything to sleep on in the housing projects they live in -- (1) Matthew 25:40 - "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." and (2) "enabling" vs. "empowering". I believe wholeheartedly in empowering...in not just giving what some would call "handouts", but instead finding ways to provide for and serve the poor and needy so that they may eventually be able to stand up on their own and be empowered to effect change in their own lives. Jesus didn't just give the crippled man some painkillers or anti-depressants to ease his pain; He didn't just give the blind man a lifelong companion or walker to help him as he remained blind his whole life; He didn't just forgive the sinner and let him/her continue in their ways ... He HEALED -- he helped the crippled man to walk again, he helped the blind man to see, and he helped the sinner to enter God's kingdom -- I think of this when I see a homeless person on the street and feel an urge to give him money because that is what he is asking for -- I sometimes offer him food instead and may go buy it for him, or if he's mentally able, I talk to him as a person and not just someone to throw something at and keep on walking - Sometimes I struggle with just giving cash/money because many times, it really is for alcohol or drugs and I feel like I don't want to feed those destructive habits ... I wonder what Jesus would say about not giving in those situations, or if he would say to give anyways?
If we all "give" to the poor, I believe that as important as the actual giving is, is the heart behind it. If we are giving because we're calculating a formula and wanting to meet our own internal requirements, we may lose sight of what will actually help the poor and needy escape the cycle of poverty generations get stuck in ... Bill Gates could come in to Kalihi, Palama, and Liliha, throw down tons of money to each family, but I know, without anything else besides the money, many families would eventually return to poverty because they have not been supported in -- financial planning/savings, making wise spending decisions, the importance of a good education or vocational training program, teens making healthy lifestyle choices (i.e. the combatting of teen pregnancy, substance use/abuse, and gang violence) etc... it is truly amazing to see the light that goes on in the eyes of people who have been taught how to stand on their own two feet versus those who have received lots of donations of money and goods but are still "crippled" in poverty.
Thanks for the inspiration and thought provoking idea!
what the heck were you doing at the dinner? haha~ thank you and next time...won't ask why...
...^^|||
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