There's Gotta Be (More To Life)

           Hello everyone! My church recently did a series called Mending the Modern Family. One week the topic of focus was finance, and while I was listening to the sermon, a song by Stacie Orrico popped into my head called, "(There's Gotta Be) More To Life." I'm going to discuss how there is much more to live for than the many things that we put too much stake in. The link for the video will be at the end.
            Out of the many things that couples fight about, the main thing couples argue about is...wait for it... MONEY! There's an average of three arguments over money each month, and three out of ten couples have financial infidelity. That means that people oftentimes are dishonest about the amount of money they have, how much they spent, how much they save, what they used their money for and more.
           In the lesson there are two lists revolving on what money can and can't do were made. I'm going to go through the different things in some detail. First, we'll start with what money can do:
                   * Acquire things and purchase experiences
                   * Cause you to worry and stress
                   * It can shift your focus from what you value to other things
                   * It can make you deceptive and manipulative
                   * Money can change you
                   * Money can destroy your spiritual life
                           Now this may sound a little harsh but think about it. When we have money we can buy things and experiences. Most of what you own or do involves spending some sort of money, or someone buying (spending money) for you. I'm not saying you shouldn't ever buy anything or spend money to do something...we need to be smart with what you use our money for. Money can cause worry and stress because you may have monthly bills and payments and in tough times you may be worried about paying those bills and different "necessary" expenses...ex. college (if you go to college).  When you have money at your disposal, you may switch your focus to things you want rather than what you need. Having money can also cause you to be deceptive with what you're doing with it or how much you have, as well as being manipulated by it, or manipulating others because of it. Money changes people. My mind went right to different celebrities you can see. For example, many times they start out strong and innocent. They are very humble, still have their faith, etc...but as they become more popular and earn more money and fame their shift goes from God and their faith to fame and money driving them. Then they continue to climb the ladder that never ends of "more money will make me happy."  I"m not saying this is the same for all celebrities, I'm pretty sure someone was able to come to mind when I mentioned that...but this also happens with everyday people. The last thing money can do is destroy your spiritual life. When you put anything above God, in this case money...money becomes your god and it then starts to destroy your spiritual life. The more you keep putting money and other things first, you're pushing God farther and farther back.
        Now let's take a look at some things money CAN'T do:
                    * Buy you love
                    * Make you Happy
                    * Take away fears and insecurities about life
        No matter what the world tries to tell us, money cannot buy you love. What money can buy is temporary and fleeting, but what God provides lasts a lifetime. Money can buy you things, that you may be happy about, but the happiness is also fleeting and temporary. For just a moment, what you buy may help you escape your harsh reality, but at the end of the day, your life is still the same, you are dealing with the same things you were dealing with before you bought...fill in the blank_________.  To go right along to the next one, you are still going to have your fears and insecurities. You may still worry about how you look, your job, marriage, your kids, finances, sickness and so much more.  The only one who can give you the love you need, make you happy, and take away your fears and insecurities would be Jesus. Bring all you have to Him at the cross, everyday. Whether good or bad, bring it to Him. If it's good, thank the Lord, if it's bad, pray, have an open and honest conversation to Him about your fears, ask for guidance. One quote I love is "Prayer is the best wireless connections" - Unknown. God is there for you anytime and you will NEVER lose connection with Him.
         Now let's focus on money. There are three ways you can spend your money. You can spend less than you make, all that you make, or more than you make. Think about what is the smartest? I'm guessing many of you are thinking to spend less than you make, because then you'll save more and not be in debt...but do you really do that? There are three verbs you can do with money: spend, save and give. Side note: saving includes investing. I graduated from college nearly a year ago and have been blessed in many ways financially this last year. Starting soon though, I will have rent to pay and more expenses. One thing I should really do and be diligent with, as well as you, is budget. From this sermon, Pastor Cal presented a plan: 80-10-10. It goes like this: Spend a maximum of 80% of what you earn; save 10% of what you make, and give 10% of what you make...and the two 10%s are minimums. Luke 16:13 says, "...you cannot serve both God and money." So that's a great plan, but Cal even made it greater and let me explain. It is no the 80-10-10 plan, but the 10-10-80 plan. You don't want to give God your leftover's if you have it. You want to give to God first and let the rest fall into place. Here are a few verses. Proverbs 3:9a " Honor the Lord with your wealth" The Bible also says in Luke 6:38b "...For the measure you use, it will be given to you." That means, if you trust God with a little, He'll trust you with a little, and if you trust God with a lot, He'll trust you with a lot.
           The 10-10-80 plan goes like this, in this order:
                    Give a minimum of 10%  of what you earn to God
                    Save a minimum of 10% of what you earn
                    Spend a maximum of 80% of what you earn
            I am going to start following this plan. It doesn't matter if you're just starting out, or have been doing a certain thing for a long time, but I encourage you to follow this plan and see what God does. I'm not saying this will bring you happiness, but obeying and worshipping and loving your Heavenly Father will lead to happiness, even if you aren't always happy on earth, God is here for you and loves you deeply and doesn't like to see his children hurting. Surrender to God and live for Him daily, it's not just a prayer you say once and boom you're good. You need to choose to die to yourself daily and take up the cross.

          A few questions I want to leave you with:
                   If you could have God as your financial advisor would you?
                   Who are you going to live for...God or money?
            * Once you've answered those questions...what does that mean about your faith...what changes do you have to make?

          To hear the actual sermon go to centralaz.com. Click on media and find the title "What Matters Most?

          This video I mentioned at the beginning doesn't necessarily focus on money, but different things we fill our lives with trying to find happiness. We need to be who God created us to be and follow Him, not chasing after whatever you think will make you're life better. Go to God, be yourself and the rest will fall into place.
 
     The video isn't on youtube, but click on the link and it'll lead you there!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=92299JNU
 
   Here is the itunes link to the song as well:
   https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/theres-gotta-be-more-to-life/id723910682?i=723910698      
 
       God Bless,
                   Jalynn