Enough: Discovering Joy
Through Simplicity and Generosity
If you’re like me, there are days when there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Some days there’s just not enough money in the checking account, let alone setting some aside for savings. Record high gas prices. Budget battles in Congress. Credit card bills rising. Stress, Anxiety, and Fear are real. State employees haven’t received raises for years. 10% across the board budget cuts. Every day we get a little bit more information about the uncertainty of the economic times in which we live.
A recent survey found that over three in four Americans are stressed about the economy and their personal finances. Half were worried about meeting their family’s basic needs. Over half of respondents reported feeling angry and irritable, and reported lying awake at night worried about this. The report concludes that, “The declining state of the nation’s economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide.”
We live in a society that tells us “you deserve it now,” whether or not we can afford it or really even need it. We’ve all struggled with it at one time or another. They are issues we can’t ignore. During the 2nd half of Oct and Nov in worship, we’ll explore what the Bible teaches about financial management. We’ll look at some tools and hear some stories about what others have learned by working through financial challenges. Each week we will try to provide you with practical tools you can use to assess your financial situation and develop a financial plan with a biblical foundation.
Join us in worship for a series of messages based on Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. At the end of the series, there will be an opportunity to consider the information, and to make personal commitments of our offerings to God through our church in the coming year. We will consecrate these commitments at the end of November.
Anticipated Schedule of Messages:
October 23 Faith in the Midst of Financial Crisis
October 30 When Dreams Become Nightmares
November 6 Wisdom and Finance
November 13 Cultivating Contentment
November 20 Defined by Generosity
I hope you’ll join us in the coming weeks as we look at Scripture, management of our finances, and discovering simplicity, generosity, and joy.
In Service with you,
Mark E
October 2011
