I just wouldn’t be on the WR if I weren’t writing a blog about finances. It’s characterized my entire race. Needing to humble myself enough to ask for money from others. I tend to be the kind of person whom some might call stingy or cheap, a tight-wad, and have been for all of my trip. I’m not likely to be handing out money or spending much of it. Giving meal points to an honorable cause in college, sure I’d give those out like candy on Halloween…but that is because I had an abundance of them. Now I often had a hard time parting with real money…even just $5…why? Because, laundry wasn’t free and there were plenty of other things that might have immediately needed that money in my own personal life.
I am not proud of those moments. Sure, $5 may not have single-handedly stopped the genocide in Darfur, or rebuilt Haiti, or capped the oil spill, or freed thousands from rubble in Japan, but with thousands of other people just giving $5…it can make a difference. So often we read the parable of the woman giving two mites, and how that is more generous and admirable than the wealthy people giving 10xs that. Why? Because of the heart behind it. It’s not about giving $5 or $50 or $500. God has a way of providing that continues to blow my mind…it’s about giving back what belongs TO God. We are but stewards of the money, time, energy, family, life, etc that God gives us. Meaning that it has been given to us to use and manage wisely. Not to cling to as if that is what keeps us alive. When God puts a ministry or person or issue on my heart I want to give of everything that I can. It’s ok to be fiscal and think of the future in regard to spending…but ultimately if it effects someone’s eternal future…what is more important? It’s something I need to think more about for sure. I have next to no money in my bank account. I haven’t been working for a year now. I have no real job prospects when I get home, but if God were to ask me to clear out my bank account for something or someone…I’d do it.
I trust God.
He has guided and protected me my entire life, (more on this later maybe…) and I know he has me now with the last $136.50 that I need for support. Maybe if I’d been more trusting and a better steward of my money before it wouldn’t be taking the ENTIRE race to raise $14,300…but without the struggle who gets the glory?
Thanks. Love you all and I can’t wait to share more…5 weeks!
p.s. This is me asking for money $136.50 to be exact, but it’s also me processing and realizing a lot as well…thanks!
