Category Archives: Finances

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Back To Work

It’s Back to Work!  The parties are over, the break is done, and for most of us today signals going back to work and school. After much needed time with family, friends and some people we wish we could have avoided, the new year demands productivity.  I wanted to drop you a few ideas about WORK in the new year.  We spend so much time in our week working and thinking about work, why not make the most of it?

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

I remember my first day of official work.  I was so excited and motivated to make money.  C’mon, we all know why you applied for your first job, but since then my motivations have changed.

Why Work?

1. Bring Honor To God – Remember you don’t just work for your boss, but you are representing Jesus to all of your co-workers as well.  Maybe you have seen the bumper sticker, “My boss is a Jewish carpenter.”  Okay, it’s a bit cheesy, but if you work to please Him, I can almost guarantee honor, character, and reputation will advance you.

2. Bring The Gospel to The Workplace – It cracks me up when I hear of workplaces banning talk about “religious topics”.  As if we shut off our character and life purpose while we work.  What boss wouldn’t want employees to follow at least the 2nd of two commandments Jesus told us to live out?  “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) Or how about other commandments, “do no covet, do not steal, do not bear false witness.”  (Exodus 20)  Sounds to me like the best place to work, ever.

3. Bring A Listening Ear – How do we bring the Gospel to the workplace?  Talk less, listen more.  It all starts with caring about the people you work with, and then when the time is right, the opportunity will come to listen, serve and even pray with the people at your work.

Remember, above all else, you are there to bring glory to God.  Work hard, make him look good, make her succeed, and in the end, you will have done your job.

Work hard!

 

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In Your Face!

When the works of God go on display like the church has demonstrated this past week, it is pretty much IN YOUR FACE!  It is undeniable power!  Simple acts done with humility which people can’t ignore.  Yes, humility ends up IN YOUR FACE!  In your face is not showy, cocky or arrogant, but is extraordinary courage and generosity only explained through the love of Christ.

When 22 single moms get hand delivered gifts of $500 from the deepest love of a caring church, it is IN YOUR FACE.  When families start stepping up and tithing to advance the work of the local church, It is IN YOUR FACE.  When hearts are transformed you can only sit in amazement, It is IN YOUR FACE.  This is what this week has been like for me.  I have received so many e-mails of thanks from people who have received loving gifts.  I have heard stories of people taking the first steps in financial health through cutting up credit cards, and even a video from a small group of a man ready to change the course of his financial future.  Look, when people in small groups start chopping up their credit cards, it’s pretty much IN YOUR FACE.  I am so pumped about what God is doing and how he is using this series and I want to hear your IN YOUR FACE STORY!  e-mail them to me at josh@217church.com.  Did you pass up a sale?  Cut off your cable?  Sell your car with that payment you can’t afford? Or maybe you and your fiance are trading that extravagant wedding you were planning for an extravagant marriage that will start DEBT FREE!

Have you missed it?  Been checked out for a while? Here are some things God has done so far in just 3 short weeks of LIVE DIFFERENTLY:  Remember, “Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you everything”

  • 78 heart transformations on Easter Sunday – In our largest weekend ever, people stood on resurrection Sunday and started living in the resurrection power.
  • 23 small groups have formed with over 250 people meeting every week in homes building 217church strong through deep relationships.
  • The Tithe Challenge – Over 70 families have stepped up and said, we are ready to tithe and take our financial health to the next level. What about you?
  • The Debt Challenge – Countless people are accepting the challenge to cut up credit cards and adopt a plan to get out of debt, PERMANENTLY!

Let me leave you with this short story in an e-mail I received from a single mother:

“As always, I am amazed by my Lords timing.  I have had a lot of trouble with my car lately and finally had to put out the money to get it fixed last week. Because my budget is very tight, I had to use our grocery shopping money as well as the electric bill money to fix the car.  Because of the wonderful timing and generosity of 217church, I will be able to feed my family and get some other necessities this week.”

You are a remarkable group of people,

This Sunday, Let’s get physically healthy!

Josh

 

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About What Happened Last Sunday

What an incredible Easter!  578 total people made last weekend our largest ever as we launched into “live differently” and it is only the beginning! During this week over 250 people experienced “live Differently” in a small group!  We are already receiving great feedback about the series and if you are not in a group, NOW IS THE TIME! Let’s make the most of these next 50 days. We have 23 groups scattered throughout the area! E-mail dan@217church.com and don’t miss another week.  So what is next for our community?

Let’s tackle our financial health.  Why?  I think it is rather obvious.  Our national debt is $15,621,872,295,348.53 as of a couple hours ago and growing by almost $4 billion per day.   Let’s face the music: This is simply irresponsible!  It is easy to criticize the government but this is not about the government and this isn’t meant to be a political post. This is about us personally.  Our culture is saturated with marketing and reasons why we should buy products we don’t need.  We continually want more than we can afford, experience buyer’s remorse on a regular basis and have problems with over spending and “under giving.”  The average person gives less than 2.5% of their income away and has over $8,000 in credit card debt.  Not at all God’s best for us.

What would it look like if all of us as a church 5 years from now were debt free.  As a church we have zero debt and have never paid a dime to anyone in interest.  The reason we have no debt is it’s so critical to our spiritual health as a body.  Wouldn’t it be incredible to be known as the church full of people who give generously and spend wisely?  I mean you, the people.  Why not? I believe it is possible and probable, but it’s going to take a long term focus and more than anything else, DEEP HEART TRANSFORMATION!

This Sunday we dive into how we work and give.  I love it when I hear of examples of great generosity.  I love it when I hear of people giving to others in need WITHOUT someone telling them to do it, but because it is the right thing to do.  Recently I heard a story of someone bringing groceries to another family who had a house fire.  Pay attention and you will find opportunities abounding around you to give.  You already have the DNA built in you as a Christ follower to enact an irrational generosity plan.  This means that each of us already want to give so let’s stop making excuses and do it.  This week in your small groups you get to write your financial health life transformation.  I will be sharing mine on Sunday with you!  I can’t wait to hear yours!

Let’s make this an incredible season of transformation against the odds!

GIVE BIG!  Can’t wait to see you again.

 

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Getting Healthy #2 – Financially

Who wouldn’t want to live debt free, have the ability to provide for basic needs, be an extravagant giver and understand the power of saving?  Not many people I know would say, ‘I want to live with a mountain of debt.’   Yet the average household lives with $8,000 in debt, saves less than 1% of income and gives away less than 3%!  What is wrong with us? As we enter into the Easter season in two weeks, I want to take time to introduce you to four key areas of health we will be tackling through the Live Differently series.  It’s about transformation against the odds.

What does financial health look like?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6 ESV)

I am in the process of gathering all my financial records for 2011 and completing my taxes.  Have you gone there yet? My taxes are complicated so I hire someone to assemble them and complete them for me.  At the end of the process, she gives me the report and I pour over it.  It is a great opportunity to reflect on God’s blessings.  I review the year and see how much I owe.  I see how much I paid in interest on my house and how much I gave.  It’s all there and I use tax time to do a heart check on what I value.  I review the year and how I spent all the money that was entrusted to me.  Am I content with what God gave to me to manage? Taxes are very revealing, the numbers don’t lie!   So what is our responsibility when it comes to money?  Here are a few principles to get you started…

Know what you OWE – This is a non-negotiable!  If you are in denial about what you owe, you will never be able to go forward on solid ground with a plan to get out of debt.  It may be discouraging, but you can either pay now or pay later.  Keep this verse in mind and let it motivate you as you gather your records. “The rich rules over the poor and the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7 ESV)

Know what you OWN- Do you own cars, jewelry, antiques, a house, any retirement funds? To go forward you need to know what you own.  This will help you to understand what you might need to sell in order to get out of debt.

Know where it is GOING- You must get on a budget!  A budget is just planned spending, it’s a God-inspired plan of how he wants you to spend money.  Do you ask God where you should give, save and spend?  The monthly inflow and out-flow of how you spend money IS A SPIRITUAL ISSUE.

Financial health is not an option, its a requirement of those who want to follow Jesus!  The big target on the wall is writing a LIFE TRANSFORMATION VISION for your Financial Health…

28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that (A)we may present everyone (B)mature in Christ. 29 For this (C)I toil, (D)struggling (E)with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.  Colossians 1:28-29

How can you live more healthy spiritually, financially, physically and in your family?  I believe is starts with a heart change and then a commitment to a 217group.  You will grow more in a group than you will on your own. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)  These next 50 days of Live Differently at 217church will be life changing!  join a 217group today! How will you make the most of each Life Transformation Vision?

 

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Models Wanted – Momentum Day 22

Scripture:  Acts 22

Key Verse: Acts 22:22-23

“‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ “

I like pictures.  Tell me what you want and I will have more questions, but show me a picture and I will surely understand.  I recently sat down in the barber chair and the young new stylist looked at me and said, “what are we doing to today?”  I said, “I’m not sure, what do you think?  She proceeded to show me a glut of pictures of what I might look like if I were in a GQ magazine.  I looked at a picture of the well sculpted hair and said, “that one, but I’m going to keep my shirt on.”

In the above passage the apostle Paul was fighting for his life and at the same time contending for the Gospel of Jesus.  He was uniquely a Jew and a Roman citizen.  His whole life screamed that transformation was possible.  He paints a picture through telling his story of how he met Jesus.  The underlying krux of this whole persecution of Paul is that he is just as ordinary as everyone else, but he happens to know what he wants to look like…Jesus. Paul does what Jesus says despite being a cheat, a murderer and a liar.  On a road to Damascus he saw a clear picture of Jesus and said, “that is the picture right there.”

Here is the problem: Okay, you aren’t going to find Jesus walking the earth.  He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, scripture, prayer and all creation. However, you will find people to help you figure out the next steps in your life who also bear the identity of Jesus.  This is where modeling comes in.

How do I find a good model?

#1 Recognize you need more than one –  It is nearly impossible to find someone who is accomplished at everything.  They just don’t exist.  You need multiple models for different situations.  People to help you who specialize in certain areas.  Our media driven paparazzi culture has turned models into idols.  if you make your model an idol, you will surely be disappointed.

#2 Define what you want help with – If someone sits down with me and doesn’t know what they want, I can’t really help them over the long haul. Know what you want help with and then write down some specific preferred outcomes you have.

#3 Look at lots of pictures – You have to watch people.  I didn’t say envy or make an icon of someone, but be a diligent observer.  If it is in the area of family that you want a model, look for someone you can model your family after.  If it is starting a business, time management, spiritual discovery, or physical health, look for lots of different types of models.  Take every step to ensure they are authentic.  In essence, “Don’t take nutritional advice from an obese man.”

#4 Realize you are a model – This is key because you won’t fully own responsibility for yourself until you realize you are responsible to others.  Almost everyone is influencing someone.  I don’t agree to help someone unless they agree they will model it intentionally for someone else.  I want to plant seeds, not hand out fruit.  There is a difference.
Question: Who do you need to model your life after? write down some people you need to learn from in different areas…

Here are four areas to start with…

1. Spiritual health

2. Family health

3. Financial health

4. Physical health

One more thing...when you know what you want to look like, something has to give, people will be ticked at you.  The people might – just – start – a – riot…

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A Slow Death – Momentum Day 5

Scripture:  Acts 5

Key Verse: Acts 5:4-5

“You have not lied to man but (F)to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he (G)fell down and breathed his last.”

Having financial integrity is perhaps one of the biggest reflections of a good heart.  On the other hand, people that can’t handle money, well, it reveals an ugly reality.  I just got my W-2’s in the mail, you probably will shortly too.  many will be tempted and then cheat on their taxes.  Is it really worth it? not a big deal, it was YOUR money after all right?  Unfortunately, things like this are just revealing the underlying issue that is truly killing us.

Every time we compromise our integrity we are dying a slow death inside.  Who you are when no one is watching is who you are anyway because the rest is just a show. The world may not see through us but God does. It is critical that in every detail we seek the truth. Ananias DROPPED DEAD INSTANTLY.  This probably won’t happen to you.  Integrity is all you have.

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Money & Possessions – Day 25 of 75 Days

Scripture Read:  Psalm 49, 50

Key Verse:  Psalm 49:17

“for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.”

Observation:

This psalm reminds us that we cannot bring worldly possessions into the kingdom of heaven. It reminds us to invest more into heaven and less into earth because on our day of judgment, we will stand naked before God, stripped away of everything we’ve ever owned. Often people value their lives by how much they own or how much they’re “worth”. This psalm warns us that living by our possessions will ensure us an eternal grave, rather than eternal life when we live by faith.

Application:

How we spend our money tells more about us then we may feel comfortable to admit.  I heard a friend of mine tell me that our money is not ours but it is granted to us by God, making it His.  It is tough to grasp this concept but I’m learning to be a better steward. I try to keep in mind that if it’s not essential to live, I do not need it. It can be better used for God’s kingdom. Living in this culture makes this hard because it’s natural to be driven by wants & feeling as though we deserve nice things or need something because someone else has it.  Psalm 49 reminds us to invest in kingdom work.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for providing the essentials of life so freely. For the breath that I breathe, the water I drink & for the food that nourishes me. Help keep me mindful of the way You intend the money you provide to be spent. Remind me every day that the true investment is not in earthly possessions but in the heavenly riches that await us. Allow us to break away from cultural thinking & spending habits so that we may glorify You! Thank you for your word, love & gracious gifts.

By Sandy 217staff team

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Day 22: Reputation

Title: Reputation

Scripture Read: Proverbs 22

Key Verse:  “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1

Observations:

Most people I encounter are trying to make more money.  We are obsessed with money and our things.  We want to have things because they give us comfort, pleasure and some of us quite honestly would like to quit our jobs and live the life “we have always dreamed of.”  This is a problem.  I love this Walt Disney quote, “”Find a job that you like so much that you’d do it without compensation; then do it so well that people would pay you to continue.”  A job is done not so we can just make money and provide for ourselves, but so we can advance the work of Christ, provide for others in need and make a difference.

When people think of your name, what do they associate it with?  Being esteemed and respected is a privileged place to have.  To have a name that is great creates emotions and visuals that bring peace and harmony to those in the world.  Ultimately, it all points back to Jesus and his influence on your life.  As he is made great in your life, you become influential.  He is the one worth magnifying.

Applications:

Titus has this card game called, “would you rather.”  Most of the cards are quite ridiculous and pose questions such as, would you rather drive a car blindfolded or ride a motorcycle with your eyes open on the edge of a cliff?”  But some of the questions posed cause you to really think.  One of the core problems with humanity is we desire power and position and then we abuse it.  This ruins reputation.  So many times we see politicians, athletes and actors who let the position or riches ruin their reputation.  What about me?  Would I rather have riches, fame and the good life with a tarnished name and a trashed reputation?  Or do I desire a great name with a humble life where I live modestly and serve and love people?

Prayer:

Lord, help me to desire a reputation that brings pleasure and honor to you.  Keep me from passions and pursuits that will damage my reputation and drive people away from you.

Burning Questions:

When People say your name, what do they associate it with?  If you died today, what would your reputation be?  Are you satisfied with your career and your passion for what you are doing in the workplace?

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Day #13: Pretenders

Title: Pretenders

Scripture Read: Proverbs 13

Key Verse:  “One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth”.  Proverbs 13:7

Observations:

In this passage we find some incredible wisdom nuggets when it comes to handling money.  First, we see a clear call for all of us to work hard.  “The sluggard gets nothing…” At first glance that seems harsh, but then after thinking about it a while, in my experience, those who don’t work and labor for something don’t value it.  In a little while they will be looking for the next hand out.  It isn’t about the appearance of wealth, it is about being wise in handling money.  Forget about the appearance, appearances are inconsequential.  It is all smoke and mirrors. One small problem is spoken against here, materialism.  How insecure we are as people to have to care that someone else cares what kind of car I drive.  Coolness is so ridiculous and overrated.

Applications:

I have met the prettiest people in the world living here in this area of the world who are as broke as broke can be.  There are scores of people who act rich to make themselves feel better and impress the person at the stop light they will never see again.  Why is it that we care so much about what people think about us?  We are pretending to be rich.  We drive new vehicles with a payment we can barely make to impress the person at the stop light we will never see again.  We have credit card debt of $8,000+ because we eat out every other day.  We live in homes way above our income, wanting a lifestyle we can’t afford.  We live in neighborhoods for their prestige and act like Jesus cares how big our house is.  We buy slick technological trinkets.  We dress in designer clothes so people think we are cool and hip.  We buy huge big screen TV’s.  The real rich people I know live simply and give with amazing generosity.  They drive their cars into the ground, get their clothes at target, and their houses are paid off.  They don’t need a BMW or a Mercedes to define them.  I don’t need a BMW to make me happy.  Recently, some friends of ours had their house burn down.  When I talked to him on the phone, I will never forget his words.  “We have each other, we have food, we have friends that love us, and we have a place to stay tonight.”  I refuse to pretend.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your provision of today, help me to be wise about today with my finances so I am able to generously help those in true need and be able to give to advance your work in this community.

Burning Questions:

In what way are you pretending to be rich?  What do you need to sell in order to pay off a debt?  Write your definition of what you think rich is.