Peter Berauer's Blog

God is everywhere. 

That’s a strange thing to type, because if I’m honest, I usually don’t notice Him.  But, the problem isn’t with Him, it’s with me. 

It’s hard to notice God when you’re looking at your bank account, worried about money.  It’s hard to notice God when you’re looking at your wardrobe, worried about what people think of you.  It’s hard to notice God when you’re focused on your work, worried if you’re doing enough.  It’s hard to notice God when you’re patting yourself on the back, congratulating yourself on a job well done.  It’s hard to notice God when all you see are the problems, the pain, or the people who make you mad. 

The problem is not that God isn’t here.  It’s that I’m not looking out in faith. 

Faith let’s you see God’s hand in your bank account – He’s got you covered and He will provide.  Faith let’s you care a little less about what you wear and what people think of you – God accepts you just as you are.  Faith opens your eyes to a whole new way of seeing your work – He’s supporting you and carrying your burdens.  Faith opens your eyes to a God who does His best work through moments of pain and in our problems.  Faith lets you forgive those troublesome people who make you mad and see them as God’s children too.

So, look around!  God is there.  His handiwork is clear in the trees and the sunset.  He’s putting food on your table and a roof over your head.  God is watching over your family even when you can’t be there for them. He’s there by your side at home, walks with you into the office at work, and watches over you as you rest. 

Do you see Him?  If not, there’s one place I know we can find Him.  He’s there on the cross.  He’s rising from the tomb.  That’s where we see God most clearly.  That’s where we see His love and grace and forgiveness flow.  That’s where His power and glory are on full display.  That’s where His heart is revealed and His character shown.  So, look.  He’s there. 

He’s everywhere.  And by faith, we see. 

Like what you read? Check out my books: “Growing Up: In, With, and Under Jesus” or “God’s Story, Your Story”

The post God Is Everywhere appeared first on Pastor Peter Berauer.

Living with the Lord of Life in a death-filled world

“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

We’re numb to it. Used to it.  We don’t like it, but we deal with it.  We make excuses for it.  We refer to it as “The Circle of Life.”  We think it’s natural.  We don’t like thinking about it, but we expect it.  Sometimes, when it hits close to home it shakes us, but we know, deep down, that we can’t avoid it.  Sometimes it comes too soon, but we always know it’s coming.

Death.

It’s everywhere.  Sometimes in small ways.  Despite my best efforts I watch my tenderly cared for plants die in their pots.  Other times in big ways, a loved one dies way too soon.  Death is always around us.

So, praise God that we have a living God.  A God who values life.  Uplifts life. A God who overcame death.  Who raises the dead.  Who promises that the grave is not the end.  The casket is not final.  You are not destined to decay into dust.

Our God – the Trinity – the Three-In-One – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is a God of life.

Life from the Father

Our Father God is the author of life.  Psalm 139:13-14 remind us of that, “For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Each of us has God to thank for the life we live.  Job reminds us of that too.  “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Creating, sustaining, and redeeming life is at the core of who our Father God is.  It’s in His DNA.

Life from Jesus

We also see that the second person of the Trinity, Jesus.  Jesus was constantly linking arms with, joining the ranks of, and uniting Himself to all sorts of lives.  Jesus jumped down out of Heaven, not as a fully grown man, but as a speck of cells in a mother’s womb.  Because Jesus values little lives.  Jesus grew in that mother’s womb, drawing from her blood, sharing her DNA.  Because Jesus loves mother’s lives.  Jesus sat at His earthly father’s table, joined in his trade, and respected his rules.  Because Jesus loves father’s lives.  Jesus touched the lepers and the eyes of the blind.  He sat at tables with tax collectors.  He let Himself be anointed by prostitutes.  He drank water drawn by 5x divorcees.  He died on a cross for the sins of the world.  Because Jesus values the lives of the sick and sinners of all sorts.  Jesus wants all to live.

Life from the Holy Spirit

And today, the Holy Spirit is creating life in you.  The Spirit is pointing you to Jesus.  Remind you of the cross.  Creating and sustaining life-giving faith to you.  Telling you that no matter what (really, no matter what!) you’ve done or where you’ve been, God has eternal life for you.

Yes, death surrounds us. It seems to control us.  There feels like no way out.

But, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit give us another way.  The way of life.  And it’s yours.  All yours. Forever yours.

Life from God through you

And it’s your calling to promote, extend, care for, and multiply that life.  As a son or daughter of the Lord of Life you are called to do what God does.  What God values you are called to value.  What God loves you are called to love.

So, how can you extend your love to all lives today?  What life can you care for?  Stand up for? Fight for?  Is it your mother?  A brother?  A sister? A neighbor?  Which life in your life is particularly vulnerable, hurting, or abandoned?  Because God has life for them.  And He’s working through you to extend, care, and proclaim it.

The post God Values: Life appeared first on Pastor Peter Berauer.

Baptism: God’s strangely beautiful gift

To any newcomer who walks into a church the day of a baptism, I can’t imagine what they are thinking. Here’s this person (sometimes a baby, other times a fully grown adult) being either sprinkled or dunked into water. It’s a strange scene. At the end of it all everyone in the pews looks so happy. People are talking about what a memorable day this is. But, outwardly, nothing about the person has changed. The baby goes back to the pew and continues their crying. The man or woman, besides for the wet hair, looks the same. So, what happened? What is this strange ritual Christians have continued to practice for 2,000 years?

Baptism is a work of God for sinners

It’s important to remember who does the work of baptism: God. Baptism is not primarily a declaration or decision you make. It’s not a miracle performed by a pastor. This is God’s work. It’s something He does. In all of the passages about baptism (Romans 6, Galatians 3, Acts 2, Acts 22), it is something that is done to you, and the main actor is God. He is the one that does the work. Sure, the pastor might help with the pouring or the dunking, and you might joyously look forward to the day, but God is the one who does the important stuff.

And He does it for everyone and anyone. Because we all have sin. Acts 2:39 reminds us that baptism is for “all who are far off.” By virtue of the sin we are born with – that’s all of us. Each of us, because of original sin, is born separated and disconnected from God. This is a gift we all need, and one that God offers to us all.

If you wait around until you’re not a sinner anymore to be baptized, you’ll be waiting a while. Instead, God comes to broken sinners in baptism with so much to give.

Baptism is a gift of grace

Every passage that talks about baptism talks about it as a gift of grace. In Acts 2, Peter tells his hearers to be baptized “for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” In our baptism God gives 1. The gift of forgiveness and 2. His Spirit.

Here’s what’s important to remember: A gift cannot be earned. It’s not a reward for good behavior. It doesn’t follow good deeds. No, gifts, especially God’s gifts, are always free. No requirements and no strings attached. He simply gives His grace away free of charge. The same is true of baptism.

Baptism is a bath

Our sins are like stains that no amount of our scrubbing and washing will wipe away. We can join every self-help seminar and rigorously train our bodies, minds, and spirits, but sin tends to stick around. The only solution is to be bathed by God with forgiveness and grace. And that’s what we get in baptism. In baptism we are washed clean of sin as we are forgiven. That’s what Ananias told Saul after Saul had seen the risen Lord Jesus as he traveled the road to Damascus. Ananias tells Saul in Acts 22:16, “And now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away.” God is able to get us cleaner than we could ever get ourselves. The stain of sin is wiped right off in baptism.

Baptism is a new outfit and new identity

Who doesn’t like a new pair of clothes? Well, that’s also what we get in baptism. Galatians 3:27 tells us that, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.” Christ comes so near to us in baptism that it’s like we are clothed with Him. Everything that belongs to Him is ours in baptism: His righteousness, perfection, sinlessness, and holiness are yours as you exit those waters. They clothe you now. When the Father looks at you, He no longer sees a sinner, but the righteousness, perfection, sinlessness, and holiness of Jesus which clothe you.

Baptism is a death and resurrection

Read these words from Romans 6:3-4, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life.”

In baptism, our sins were stuck in the grave where they are powerless against us. Sin can’t condemn us to death any longer. It also can’t accuse us and make us guilty. We’ve died to it. Sin has been crucified in our lives, made lifeless. At the same time, in baptism, we were raised up to new life. Freed from sin we live as God’s beloved children. Life is never the same after baptism. We are people of the resurrection!

Baptism is a one-time occurrence

You see, when God does something, He does it right the first time. Because God is the one who does the work in baptism, we can trust that He won’t mess up. If baptism was something we did, well, then we might need more than one. If it was based on our bold declaration of faith, then we might have to keep getting baptized after every time we falter or doubt. But, God is the one who does the work. You can trust that one is enough.

All of that happens in those few brief moments of a baptism. It’s strange, to be sure. There’s not anything else in the world quite like it. But, it’s also so beautiful. Because it’s not something we deserve, but it’s exactly what we need. And in His amazing love, God gives it all away.

If you like what you read and want more, check out my books on Amazon: Growing Up: In, with, and under Jesus and God’s Story // Your Story

The post What is baptism? appeared first on The Everyday Disciples.

A summary and resource list



Money is a gift from God

God has promised us that we have nothing to worry about, because He will care for all our daily needs. One of the means by which He provides is through our money which allows us to buy clothes, food, and homes.

Because everything we have (including our money) is a gift from God, we receive it with thankfulness, contenment, and humility.

Bible References: James 1:17; Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:25-34

The first step to good stewardship is assessing where you are at

First we assessed where our hearts were at. We asked honest questions like, “Have I been thankful, humble, and content?” and “Do I have a generous heart?”

Next we assessed our financial goals and priorities. Some of us will prioritize owning our own home and others paying off debt. We came up with a list of the financial goals and priorities we have.

Finally, we assessed our current financial situation and spending. We took a deep look at where our money is coming from and going to.

Resources: YNAB, Mint, PocketGuard

Good stewardship involves planning

In order to make the most out of what we’ve received, we talked about the need to create a plan. The first step was a budget that reflected our priorities and goals. Next we talked about potentially meeting with a financial planner who could walk us through the often confusing and complex world of investing. Finally, we mentioned the budding industry of robo-advisors and online tools

Bible References: Matthew 25:14-30

Resources: Betterment, Personal Capital, Mint, Acorn, Listen Money Matters

As stewards we seek to grow the gifts we’ve been given

This discussion started with an important warning: We don’t seek to grow financial simply to pad our pockets or horde away God’s gifts. We don’t talk about growth from a position of fear, selfishness, or greed.

With all humility and generosity, we talked about three ways we could all potentially grow our incomes. We mentioned that there are very often opportunities from within our current jobs, we could find a side-hustle, or we could make our money work for us through investments.

Biblical References: Luke 12:13-21

Resources: Betterment, Acorns, Personal Capital

We give generously, because we’ve received so much and we want to reflect the generous heart of our God

When we are generous, we are witnessing to the generosity of our God. Money is just one of the ways that we can reflect God’s love to us in Christ to the world.

We also mentioned the Biblical idea of tithing. The command God gave to Old Testament Israel that they should give the first 10% of what they earned back to the Lord in order to provide for the spiritual enrichment of all people is something for us all to work towards. While it is not a command we must follow to earn God’s grace, since it was commanded by God we recognize the value in it and strive to work towards that level of giving.

Biblical References: 1 Corinthians 9:6-8; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; Numbers 18:21-28

If you’ve liked what you read, please check out my books on Amazon! Growing Up: In, with, and under Jesus and God’s Story // Your Story

The post Christian Personal Finance Part Six: Conclusion appeared first on The Everyday Disciples.

Reflecting the generous heart of God

Now we’re getting to the heart of this entire conversation on money and personal finance.

We give – because we have received so much from God.

We are generous – because God has been so generous to us in Christ.

We lovingly share what we have – because that’s how we reflect the loving heart of God to the world.

We let go of our money – because we have security and confidence in who we are and what we have in Jesus.

We empty our pockets – because God wants to use us to provide for other people.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

So, what about tithing?



What is it?

The word “tithe” comes from an Old English word for tenth. To “tithe” then means to give one tenth of your income (10%) to support the ministry of the Church. In the books of Leviticus and Numbers God commanded the Israelites to give a tithe to support the temple, its leaders, and the sacrifices that needed to be made. 

So, the question is, do we have to tithe today? Are New Testament Christians required to give 10% to their local churches. 

Do I have to tithe?

The short answer is “no”, but the real question is why are you asking? Do you want to know if you have to tithe, because you really don’t want to and you’re hoping that it’s still not a requirement? That is, are you hoping that you can just keep all your money and buy new TV or car? I don’t think that’s the right attitude. 

Or, are you asking because you want an easy box to check. We like check-boxes. They easily let us know where we stand with God And so if we just know all the requirements, then we can start to do them and feel good about ourselves. But, that’s not a life of faith. I don’t think that’s the right attitude either. 

Now, the reason why we are not required to give a tithe is because the tithe applied to the way things worked before Jesus came. In the Old Testament there are many Laws we don’t follow. We no longer have to circumcise our boys, avoid shellfish, or observe a Saturday Sabbath.  Colossians 2:16-17 makes that clear, “Therefore, lent one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are but a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ” Jesus fulfilled – and therefore ended – the Old Testament Laws. 

So, I believe a better question to ask than, “Do I have to tithe?” is “How much can I give?” That’s a question each one of us needs to consider for ourselves. Again, listen to what Paul wrote to the Corinthians “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Our financial giving flows from a position of freedom and it ought to reflect the generosity of our Father who sent His Son. 

Where do I start with tithing?

But, maybe you are lost. You have no idea where to start. That’s where, I believe, the tithe can come in handy. When God ordered and arranged the system way back in the Old Testament, He thought 10% was good. And if it was good enough for God, maybe it is good enough for us too. Maybe that seems overwhelming to you or it sounds like too much. Most likely you won’t be there tomorrow, but it is something to prayerfully consider and plan towards – not because it’s a requirement, but because it is one small way we can generously reflect God’s love. 

Keep in mind as well that God commands that Pastors and Church leaders be taken care of. “The Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14). It is the responsibility of every brother and sister in Christ to care for the needs of the leaders for the purpose of Kingdom expansion and so that the ministry of forgiveness can continue to be shared with believers and non-believers alike.

So, pray about it. Pray that God would open your heart and instill thankfulness and generosity. Ask for the gift of contentment, that you would be happy with what you have. Pray for increased faith, that you would trust that in what God has given. After you’ve prayed, it’s time to open up your checkbook, pull out your credit card, or hand over the cash. Just know, you’ll probably get it wrong. Because of sin, we are never as trusting, content, or generous as we should be. So, after you’ve given repent. Tell God you’re sorry for not getting it right. Then trust that you are accepted NOT on the basis of your giving, but on the basis of what Christ has given to you.

If you’ve liked what you read, check out my two books on Amazon: Growing Up: In, with, and under Jesus and God’s Story // Your Story

The post Christian Personal Finance Part Five: Giving appeared first on The Everyday Disciples.

Grow your income as a good steward



A Warning

In this post I want to talk about ways to grow your income. I’ll get to the Biblical foundation behind this idea in a little, but first I wanted to start with a warning. It’s one I’ve needed to hear as I’ve thought this through for myself.

It’s important to remember why we might want to grow our income. And it’s not so that we can selfishly horde away our stash of cash or so that we can lavishly spend it all on ourselves. We also don’t do it out of fear for the future. We don’t grow out income to give ourselves a sense of security that ought to come from Christ.

No, we grow our incomes in order to be good stewards. We don’t want to be a burden to others and we want to be able to give more generously to the Lord.

So, as we discuss opportunities for growth, we each need, for ourselves, to approach the topic with caution. We each need to guard our hearts against fear, selfishness, greed, and faithlessness.

A Parable From Jesus

This is the warning we receive from Luke 12:13-21. In these verses Jesus tells a parable. It’s the story of a rich man who had an abundance of resources. His harvest had been good. With so much extra, the man decides to store his abundance away so that he can live off the fat of the land, take it easy, and relax in luxury.

The problem is that on that very night, the man’s life is going to end. And the sad reality is that all his abundance will now become waste. Jesus closes the parable by saying, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

God wants us to be generous with what we’ve been given. Any extra we receive is an opportunity to bless others.

Three Ways To Grow Your Income

Ok, warning over. With a focus on loving God and our neighbors we’ll talk about how, as good stewards, we can grow our income.

1. Grow your income from within your job

If you are already employed, this is something you will want to start thinking about. What opportunities does your current job offer to increase your salary? Are there extra jobs you can volunteer for? Are their potential raises you can apply for? Is there opportunity to move up? Can you sign up for overtime? Very few jobs have literal dead-ends to them. Consider how you might increase your income where you’re at. Sometimes this is a long-term play. It might start with doing the little things no one else wants to do, so that 3 years down the line you are the one who gets the promotion.

2. Find a side-hustle

Do you like to make crafts that you can sell on Etsy? Do you like to drive and could you work for Uber? Can you write well and could you start a blog? The internet-age has opened up innumerable opportunities for most of us. But, maybe you like dogs and could start a dog-walking business in your neighborhood. Look for opportunities to marry your gifts and passions to earn a little extra.

3. Make your money work for you.

Consider investing your money. But, beware that this is a long-term play. Most people who view investing as a get-rich-quick scheme end up becoming poor quickly. One of the easiest ways to do this is to contribute through an employer sponsored retirement account like a 401k or 403b. These retirement plans earn you interest over time. Many employers also offer matching programs where you literally get free money for contributing to your own retirement. If you are already maxing out your 401k (and good for you if you have!) than consider IRAs or other taxable investment accounts like index funds. Websites that I’ve already mentioned in other posts like Acorns, Betterment, Vanguard, and Personal Capital can help you get started investing. To learn more about investing check out Listen Money Matters. The website and podcast have been super valuable to me as I learn more about this complex world.

Conclusion

As good stewards over what God has given us, we seek to make the most out of the gifts we’ve been given. We seek to water, feed, and grow the financial seeds that God has planted in our lives.

But, we always remember why. And it’s not out of fear or for selfish, greedy gain. It’s not so that we can sit back and relax in a life of luxury. It’s not so that we can feel more comfortable. No, we seek to grow the gifts so that we can give and share more generously with those God has placed in our lives. We grow our income so that more people can be blessed through us.

If you’ve liked what you read, check out my two books on Amazon: Growing Up: In, with, and under Jesus and God’s Story // Your Story

The post Christian Personal Finance Part Four: Growing appeared first on The Everyday Disciples.

Planning your finances

Make some time to read Matthew 25:14-30. It’s a parable Jesus tells about three men who were given different amounts of gold by their master. Two of the men made the most out of what they had. They faithfully invested the money given to them and doubled what the master gave them. But, one of the men didn’t invest. Afraid of what the master might say if he lost money on an investment, the third man simply buried the money to keep it safe. The master chastises that man.

The lesson we learn is that we are to make the most out of what God has given us. Trusting in our loving Lord, we apply that lesson to our personal finances. We seek to be good stewards for our Lord with what He has given us.

Making the most out of our money takes planning. The first step came when we assessed our finances. Before you can make a plan for the future you need to look back to see where you’ve been and where you are. Now, it’s time to make a plan.

Step One: Create a budget

Now that you’ve come up with your list of life priorities and financial goals, begin to create your budget. All the tools I mentioned last time will help you with this (Mint, YNAB, and PocketGuard). Maybe you were shocked and apalled that you spend so much money each month on restuarants of coffee. Now is the time to write your future spending story. With your priorities and goals as a guide, create a budget to match. Your future spending might (maybe even probably will) look different in the future than what it has in the past.

Step Two: Meet with a financial planner

One tool you might want to consider is meeting with a financial planner. As you plan for the future and seek to make the most out of God’s gifts, you will want to think about investing your money wisely. You don’t just want to bury your money in a savings account somewhere. A certified financial planner (or CFP) can help explain to you the ins and outs, whats and whys, of tools like IRAs, 401ks, index funds, and other investment strategies. As you plan for the future, it often helps to talk with someone who is trained to walk you through a messy financial world. The lists of priorites and goals you’ve created will help guide your discussions with them. CFPs usually charge a certain percantage of the assets they are managing for you, so try to find someone who will charge you closer to 1%.

Step Three: Consider online financial planners (aka Robo-Advisors)

These days there are a lot of online tools to help you navigate the sometimes scary world of financial planning and investing. Sites like Betterment, Personal Capital, and Acorns try to make this easy. Each allows you to be as involved or as hands-off as you’d like to be. They will help you determine how much you should be saving for retirement or other goals, and will show you what your monthly contributions should be. These tools are often cheaper than meeting with a face-to-face CFP, but it’s not for everyone.

In order to be good stewards and to make the most out of what we’ve been given we need to intentionally plan. God has given us our minds so that we can consider how to best serve Him and multiply His gifts. In order to maximize our generosity, we need to sit down and think about our dollars.

If you’ve liked what you read and what to read more, check out my books on Amazon: Growing Up: In, with, and under Jesus and God’s Story // Your Story

The post Christian Personal Finance Part Three: Planning appeared first on The Everyday Disciples.

Assessing your heart, values, and spending

In part one of this series I introduced the topic of money and a Christian approach to personal finance. In part two I’ll talk about how to assess your heart, your values, and your spending. Before we can go any further or make any changes we need to see where you are at today. Be honest with your assessment. Lying to yourself or God won’t get you anywhere. Write down your answers if that helps. If you’re married or in a relationship, you might want to do this with your partner.

Assessing your heart

In the introduction I mentioned how our money is a gift, it is to be approached with caution, and it is one way we reflect God’s generous heart. In light of all that ask yourself the following questions.

Have I told God thank you for all that I have?Am I content with what I’ve been given?Have I been generous with my God-given gifts? Do I tithe or donate to church and charities?Have I put my hope, trust, faith, or identity in my money? Does it give me an ultimate sense of joy or identity?Do I use my money to bless others? In what ways have I fallen short of God’s call in regards to my money?How could I be more generous, content, and thankful?In what ways have I been tempted to view or use money wrongly?



Assessing your priorities and goals

First, let’s start with your priorities in life. What matters to you the most? Create a top ten. Your list might include time with family, your church, your faith, dinners with friends, starting a side-hustle, or owning a home.

Next, write out your financial goals. Maybe you want to pay off debt, begin saving for retirement, get rid of a car loan, or buy a boat. Create another top ten goals you have when it comes to finances. You are probably reading this article for a reason – what it is? Maybe you just want to get things in order or stop the bleeding. Write all that down.

After the next assessment, consider how your spending reflects your priorities.

Assessing your spending

This assessment is key. Too often our spending does not reflect our priorities. We say we want to save for retirement, but then we eat out so often we don’t save at all. Or, we say we value simple time with family, but then we work 12 hours a day to afford the car in our driveway. I hear all the time (and have thought myself) that people just don’t have money to give to church or charities after all their expenses. But, if we took a closer look, I bet most of us are spending money in places that we could easily cut out.

There are a number of tools you can use to assess your spending. You could simply print out transaction records from your bank or credit card. Other helpful tools are websites and apps like Mint, YNAB, and PocketGuard. These apps break down your spending into categories and use different visuals to help you make sense of where your money is coming from and going to. I personally use Mint and find it easy to use.

You might be surprised by what you find. Maybe you didn’t realize that all those Starbucks runs really add up. Or, that going out to eat once a week costs more than you ever thought. Once you take a deep look at your spending (Warning: it might not be pleasant) go back to your assesments of your heart and values.

Does everything line up? Are you spending on your priorities? Does your spending accurately depict where you thought your heart was at? What does your spending say about you? How can your spending more accurately reflect your goals? How has/hasn’t your trust in Jesus been reflected in your spending?

Now that you have a better idea of your own views, attitudes, and spending habits, it’s time to start planning.

If you’ve liked what you read, check out my books on Amazon: Growing Up: In, with, and under Jesus and God’s Story // Your Story

The post Christian Personal Finance Part Two: Assessing appeared first on The Everyday Disciples.

And introduction to Christian Personal Finance

Let me get something out of the way that will make me feel a lot better: I fall far short when it comes to personal finance. I am not as generous as I should be, I’m not the best steward of what I’ve been given, and I fail to recognize how much I have.

But, personal finance is something I’ve been thinking a lot about. At first, if I’m honest, my intentions were selfish. I had never given my finances too much thought. I mean, I tried not to spend lavishly, never got into credit card debt, and have been working to pay off student loans. But, that was about it.

When I recently started to spend some more time thinking about this, one of my motivating factors was accumulating wealth. Maybe it was because I quickly realized that I wasn’t going to get rich quick, but lately I’ve been thinking a lot more about a Christian approach to money and personal finance.

So, over six more posts I’ll be compiling what I’ve found. We’ll talk about basic principles here, but then move on to assessing, planning, growing, and giving before we conclude.

How Christians approach money and their personal finances



1. Money is a gift

In one of my favorite passages from Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus reminds us that God takes care of all of our daily needs. We don’t need to worry, because God is in control. If He takes care of the flowers and the birds, then why should we expect anything different? Our clothes and food and every basic need comes from Him. It always has, and it always will. One of the ways God brings those things to us, is through our money.

James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” Whatever money we have is from God. It’s all a gift. The way God got that money into your pocket was through your job or career, but ultimately it all comes from above.

When we pause to recognize that everything we have is from God, including our money, that will create in us two reactions: 1. Thankfulness and 2. Humility. How can we not thank God for what He’s given us. Whether we think it’s a lot or a little, God deserves all our thanks and praise. Recognizing where our money (and therefore our house, clothes, shoes, cars, etc.) comes from should also humble us. What we have is not a result of our greatness, but God’s. He deserves the credit for the food on the table and the car in the garage.

2. Money is to be approached with caution.

Even though money is a gift from God that He uses to meet our daily needs, we still need to approach it with caution. It’s not that money is inherently evil, otherwise God wouldn’t give it, but that sin has twisted the good thing and made it something dangerous. I think we all know how dangerous money can be. We’ve seen how greed has ruined lives.

Sin always tempts us to take good things and make them into gods. Let me clarify: a god is anything that you put your hope, trust, faith, or identity in. A god is what gives you an ultimate sense of joy and security. For too many of us, that’s money. We think that if we can just get our 401k to a certain level, then we will be secure. If we just have a few more dollars, then we’ll be happy. We are hoping with all hope to get the promotion or the raise. When that happens, money has become a god.

That’s why God, the one who gives us our money, warns us to approach with caution. In Hebrews 13:5 we read, “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.'” The line between appreciating the gift of money and what it allows us to do in taking care of our daily needs and providing for our families, and then turning that gift into an idol is often thin. We are to love the giver, not the gift.

God knows that we can’t divide our love between Him and money. He deserves it all. Jesus tells us that in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

So, we approach our money with caution. But, that doesn’t mean we need to fear it. We don’t need to sell all we have and move to a monastery out of fear that we’ll make money an idol. No, we simply recognize that money is a gift, and that it can very easily become a problem.

3. Money is an occasion to be generosity.

Christians are to reflect Christ in all that they do. One of the ways we do that is with our generosity. Just as our Father has been so generous with us, we are generous to those around us. One of the ways we can be generous is with our money. It’s definitely not the only way, but money is one of the ways that we reflect God’s generous love to the world. Our money is also one of the ways that we meet the needs of our neighbor as we follow Christ’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Money is a gift from God that we can use as a tool to bless others.

Generosity is not just about the amount that we give. Even the smallest gifts, given out of a generous heart, can be considered generous. Remember the widow in the temple and her offering? Mark 2:41-44 tells the story of a poor widowed woman who only had two small copper coins to her name. When she gave it away, that small gift was considered to be the most generous gift given that day. And it wasn’t because of the amount, but because it was given out of the generosity of her heart.

Christians are generous with their money. Because we have everything we need in Jesus, because every one of our eternal needs has been met, and because God has been so lovingly generous with us – we give generously too.

That’s it for now. Check out the next post on assessing your personal finances.

If you’ve liked what you read, check out my books on Amazon: Growing Up: In, with, and under Jesus and God’s Story // Your Story

The post Christian Personal Finance Part One: Introduction appeared first on The Everyday Disciples.

Defining Success In the Christian Life

What does a successful Christian life look like? I’ve been thinking about that lately. I think I’ve decided it’s one I need to be asking. After all, I’m asking it of myself as a husband, pastor, and writer. I should be striving towards success in all I do and am.

I think the reason why I’ve been hesitant to explore it too much is that I’m afraid that if I seriously consider the implications of the answer I might find, I’ll have to live a life of less. Sometimes, the Christian life can feel like a life of less. And to be successful at it, to live it in it’s fullest, would really be a life of less.

I’m afraid that to be “successful” as a Christian disciple will mean less:

Money in my pocketNotoriety for my achievementsTime for myselfShiny stuff in my homeFunLaughsFreedom

And the truth is, it is. Christ calls us, in many ways, to a life of less.

But, it’s also a life of so much more.

A Life of More

To be a Christian is actually a life of more than you could ever imagine. I need to keep that in mind. For everything you might lose as you follow Jesus, your return is greater.

To be a Christian is to live a life of more:

Family. You now have one that stretches across the world and throughout historyPeaceJoy (and one that lasts at that)Hope for the futureDepth in relationshipsKindness towards your neighborTrust in God’s goodnessSecurity for tomorrowFreedom. True freedomForgiveness than you deserveLife than you ever thought possibleLove than you’ve ever experienced



Less of Me, More of God

A successful Christian life is a life less of/for/about me. But, it’s also a life more of/for/about Jesus. And what you find in Jesus is so much more than you will ever find in yourself.

The beautiful thing about it is that success as a Christian doesn’t come to me like success does in my career, as a writer, or even as a husband in many ways. In every other realm of life I am constantly working to be sucessful, constantly trying to convince myself and others that I am, in fact, a success.

But, success from Christ is a pure, 100% gift. I have it. I am it. Right now. Today, I have a life of more. Today, because of Jesus, I am a success.

If you’ve liked what you’ve read, check out either of my two little books on Amazon: Growing Up and God’s Story // Your Story

The post What Does A Successful Christian Life Look Like? appeared first on The Everyday Disciples.