The blind beggar in Luke 18: 35 depended on Jesus for help. There were no government agencies to provide for the poor and needy.

Who do we depend on? Is it right to expect the government to provide for our needs? In this difficult economy, what will we – the church – do if social services are cut from the federal budget?

Give to the Church so that we can provide for our brothers and sisters who are hungry, who are underclothed, and in need of shelter. And remember – It’s Not Your Money.

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How do you make difficult financial decisions when paradox prevails?

Optimists cite strong economic data; pessimists fret over geo-politics and general societal/moral decline.

We have improving employment and corporate profits on the one side and Greece/Eurozone, Iran and our own government’s inability to balance a budget on the other. All very real. All very confusing.

What we Christians can not be confused about is Who is in control. Who is responsible for all we have.

Trust in God, and give with confidence. And remember – It’s Not Your Money.

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You’ve probably been to a children’s Christmas play. I’ve heard of one reenactment where the little innkeeper just couldn’t stand turning Joseph and Mary away. Still, knowing he had to stay true to his lines he said:

“There is no room for you in the Inn.”
But then he added:
“Wait! You can have my room.”

Isn’t that what Advent is about—making room for Jesus?

And isn’t that what Stewardship is about—making room for Jesus in every facet of our lives, including financial.

Make room for Jesus in your budget, because after all –

It’s Not Your Money.

Jonah knew the right thing to do, yet he did what he wanted instead and paid the price.  You know the suffering he endured as a result.

Have some of the financial decisions made in the past few years been more of what we wanted rather than what God wanted?  Is the stress we feel today our time of suffering, our time in the belly?

Even if so, we can be confident that as with Jonah, God will not abandon us.  He will raise us from the pit; deliverance is from the Lord.  We just need to remember –

It’s Not Our Money!

I am no longer on track to retire. My retirement account values are down 30%.

My business is struggling. Revenues are down by more than 50%.

I hear myself crying out like Peter in Matthew 14: 30 – Lord, save me!

And Jesus’ response? “O you of little faith. Why do you doubt?”

And the truth is, business goes on and the bills get paid and I add to my 401k when I can. I should be more concerned for doing what God want me to do and less about the money.

Because after all, It’s Not My Money.