Recently, a sister of mine from church, (also in my Ohana group!) composed a rather thought provoking Facebook post that really got me thinking. 

The premise of the post was giving & money, a post inspired by a conversation she had recently had, and she related it to Katrina Relief Urban Plunge. 

A very touching post, but what she wrote here is what hit me the most. 

“Whenever we give our money away, we proclaim that JESUS IS LORD and money is NOT. This is a cataclysmic decision, a seismic breaking away from our natural and self-destructive tendencies. We are cutting against the grain of the lies that we are tempted to believe that money can bring fulfillment and satisfaction to our lives.”

I began to think of all the times that I’ve tried to use money as a way to bring fulfillment and satisfaction through my life, mainly, through shopping and buying things, whether I needed them or not. This is a habit that I picked up freshman year, when I learned to cope with my homesickness through buying things, hoping that they would bring me comfort—and it worked, temporarily (basically the day I bought it haha). This continued, and even to this day, there are times when I just feel the need to buy something, whether I actually need it or not, I just want to buy things, so I will. Essentially, I have a love of money and I’m obsessed with earning it so that I can continue spending it on material things. 

When I read the above quote, it really resonated with me, because I realized that I use my money selfishly. Yes, sometimes I’ll spend money on food so that I can bake for others, but other than that, when I’m trying to spend $25 on Amazon so that I can get Free Super-Saver shipping, I’m looking for things for myself. I have the hardest time giving my money away, and even when I tithe, I give exactly 10%, because my heart can’t bear to part with any more money. 

However, in reality, the money that I have is a blessing from God and it’s not really my money—It’s His money. Why do I need another pair of headphones, when there are people around the world who don’t even have their basic needs met? Why do I need another hair straightener when the one I have works perfectly fine? I realized that when I’m spending money to buy things as “comfort”, I’m seeking comfort in money, not in Christ, essentially proclaiming that I value the comfort money can provide me, no matter now temporary it is, over the everlasting comfort that He can provide for me. 

If you want to read the full Facebook post, 

One of the greatest privileges of working with InterVarsity is that I get to have meaningful conversations with people –ALL the time. A few days ago, I ended up chatting with a member of Northeastern’s faculty over the issue of student group funding, which ultimately led to a deeper conversation about money.

She said, “The top two things that couples fight over are sex and money. Not sure if its in that order, but I think that depends on the couple.”

She ended up sharing with me that she is a Christian and that she supports the work InterVarsity is doing on campus. Following the conversation about the importance of student group funding, I put a shameless plug into our conversation about our upcoming Spring Break trip to New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina Relief. I asked if she’d be willing to make a small donation to our scholarship fund, because money has been the number one barrier as to why students are hindered from going on this trip. After she paused with a look on her face that read, “what did I get myself into”, she respectfully declined and said she is currently saving for retirement.

It’s no surprise that I’ve had lots of conversations with people who are on the journey towards faith about giving money as it relates to God –whether that’s giving to the Church or any other faith-generated giving. Of course, I’m not that different from the woman I spoke with. I’ve had my own share of responses such as, “if I start giving my money to God, does that mean I can’t have nice things? Am I supposed to sell my possessions and live on the streets?”

So I’ve thought about what it means for us as followers of Christ to have this heart of giving.

Every parent (I’m not a parent yet but I’m assuming) delights in the first steps of their children. For a very small percentage of people, those first steps will some day lead to training for the Olympics or in some other way building their entire lives around walking that leads to running. Some will even run marathons or half-marathons. But for most of us, those first steps are simply indicative of what we’ll be doing for most of our lives. Walking is a certain freedom and power. Not being able to walk is debilitating and crippling. And when you take those first steps of walking, there’s no telling where it all will lead. All of us need to walk if anything is at all possible.

And I wonder if it’s the same idea with giving. Contrary to what the world tells us about what money can bring, money lies about its own power. Don’t get me wrong, money is good! I like money. We all like money and we need it. God intended for us to enjoy the blessings of money. But worship of money cannot give us life. Giving it away actually frees us from the shackles of one of the most powerful lies in all the universe. WORSHIP THROUGH GIVING is TREASON against all the forces of evil that have staked a claim on us. It is an act of rebellion against the forces that conspire to destroy us, even and especially inside of ourselves.

One of my personal favorite models of giving in the bible comes from Jesus celebrating the window giving her few copper coins. I think the story actually has nothing to do with the needs of the temple being met. Instead, it has everything to do with this widow making a tremendous leap of faith, one I admire and model my own heart after.

Whenever we give our money away, we proclaim that JESUS IS LORD and money is NOT. This is a cataclysmic decision, a seismic breaking away from our natural and self-destructive tendencies. We are cutting against the grain of the lies that we are tempted to believe that money can bring fulfillment and satisfaction to our lives.

Therefore, every cent or dollar put in the offering bucket or given to Katrina Relief Urban Plunge (sorry, I couldn’t resist) should be accompanied by a jig and shouts of joy. Again, this month, I’m choosing freedom! Again, this month I’m saying a resounding “no” to the lies I’m tempted to believe about what money can do for me! Again, this month I’m saying no to becoming a slave to money! Again, this month I’m choosing to trust Jesus to give me life, to be my security and to take care of me rather than these digits in my bank account!

I truly believe that the intention in our giving is the proper re-direction of our worship: AWAY from money/other things/grasping after security and TOWARDS the Father, Son, Holy Spirit who is holy and sovereign over all things.

Realistically, we can never in this life be free of a relationship with money, but we can and must have firm boundaries on the place of it in our lives.

Why am I saying all this?

Northeastern InterVarsity is in need of money and I know God gave this resource to Highrock Brookline. Excuse me for the blunt delivery. :)

Katrina Relief Urban Plunge (KRUP) is a time when many non-christians choose to go to New Orleans with our fellowship to spend their breaks in meaningful ways, develop lasting relationships with each other, and explore who this Jesus is through the lens of social justice. For our brother Mike Sirera, the trip marks as a significant turning point in his life (ask him)! This trip drastically changed the friendship I shared with one of my best friends, as I saw her turn from atheist to seeker.. to follower.. and now a leader at her Church! It’s one heck of a transformation and God uses every available open door to make Himself known to those who don’t know him yet. It is a trip worth investing in and it breaks my heart to know that money is the only hindrance for students.

So would you, faithful servants of HRB, consider giving, if you are able, to this scholarship fund? Like the widow who gave her copper coins, the amount does not matter. As little or as much as you are able, please consider giving to this trip. And of course, no judgment is you’re unable to! Please don’t feel guilty if you can’t. :D If you’d like to know more about this trip, please PLEASE let me know.