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5.13.16 Who Formed Your View About Money and Giving?

If you are a reader who prefers to skip a blog post on giving, I ask that you not disconnect so soon. I want to share with you an important question posed to me in a recent meeting that I believe all should consider. If you are willing to read on, I think you will discover an underlying reason why you don’t get jazzed about Living Giving. If you make it to the end, I bet you will walk away from this post with some insights of your own on this topic.

I am a new board member of the Riverbend Church Foundation. We partner with National Christian Foundation (NCF) to handle monies received from donors. Our chairperson asked us to meet with NCF to familiarize ourselves with their processes. I dutifully set up an appointment with Ryan, our local NCF representative. Our topic for this meeting was legacy giving. After Ryan explained how NCF works, he opened the door for me to share the Living Giving plan that God showed me in 2007. I shared my investment strategies with him and emphasized the joy I feel through giving and the evidence of compounding over the last nine years! I communicated my prayer that by God’s grace I will change the family financial tree for the younger generations.

My goal is to help family members serve the Lord freely without financial hindrances.

Ryan advanced the conversation by posing this question: “Think of a patriarch and/or matriarch in your family. What did they teach you about money and giving?” As I tried to absorb the question, he proceeded to answer it.

“Lee Ann, when I sit down with potential donors and ask this question, the majority shrug their shoulders. Their patriarchs were silent on money and giving,” he said. “Most donors I meet learned about money and giving on their own or through the church.”

I left the meeting reflecting on this question: Who was the patriarch or matriarch who taught me about money and giving? I learned about money and giving through my parents. My Mother and Dad embedded in me the importance of tithing at an early age. Giving is a spiritual act, first and foremost. Dad so strongly emphasized tithing (giving a tenth of my income) that it was “non-negotiable.” You ALWAYS write the Lord a “thank you” note to acknowledge God as your provider! No if, ands, or buts. If you don’t, you’re robbing God. If you do, God will pour out so much blessing on you, you won’t have room to store it (Malachi 3). Dad showed me this particular passage to point out that God invites me to “test Him” on this. This is the only place in the Bible God invites us to test Him.

Dad also modeled generosity to other Christian organizations. When I paid bills for him as his power of attorney, I saw money go to over twenty different Christian ministries. Dad wanted to give as many dollars as he could to help Christian organizations spread the gospel. However, Dad was generous to a fault. He didn’t care if his contributions were building debt on his credit card that he couldn’t pay in full the following month!

I also learned an unspoken family rule about money the hard way. I accepted a call to serve as a Christian counselor in Iola, Kansas, in January of 1994. Since I had been in graduate school and only worked part-time, I didn’t have any cash reserves to initially support myself. It would take at least six months to build a counseling practice in a city where I was unknown. Since this was a Christian ministry, I decided to send out letters to raise funds based on prior mission trip experiences.

In 1990 I traveled to Poland on a mission through my local church and Campus Crusade for Christ. Many of my friends used a template fund-raising letter developed by the organization. It’s a common practice, so I didn’t give it any thought. When I went to Kansas, I used the boilerplate fund-raising letter I had saved from the Poland mission trip packet. I promptly sent it out to my family and friends. I was unprepared for Mother’s disapproval when she called to express her displeasure that such a letter went out to our family members. She announced a rule: “You don’t ask your family for money. It’s up to you to earn it.” I embarrassed her by asking for financial help. Fortunately, other family members weren’t offended by it and gladly helped.

As I finished reflecting on Ryan’s question, I realized that I learned a range of ideas about money and giving. The most important lesson I learned is that giving originates with God. God made us in His image, and He is a giver. Giving is where joy resides. Learning to cultivate the habit of giving through tithing as a child was an integral part of my spiritual formation. But I also observed an unhealthy practice when Dad gave money through credit cards when he didn’t have the means to pay it.

I imagine we all learned both healthy and unhealthy views of money and giving as we grew up.

I am grateful that my parents laid the groundwork for giving at an early age. Some of you may not have been that fortunate. There’s a good chance that many of you didn’t receive any teachings on money and giving from a patriarch. Instead, you had to figure it out on your own. No matter what, we all need a healthy foundation to cultivate a heart for Living Giving. This conclusion leads me to another question.

How can I inspire people to engage in Living Giving if most people don’t have a sound framework to build toward legacy giving?

Maybe God showed me a new angle to consider for my book on Living Giving. Maybe the “problem” I need to solve in this book is the absence of a healthy biblical view of money and giving generously. There’s only one way to find out if this hypothesis is valid. Ask!

I decided to test drive this question with a couple of friends. One friend confirmed Ryan’s statistics. She was one of many who didn’t receive any teaching on money or giving from the patriarchs in her family. Another friend shared humorously a memory of seeing four tithe checks her parents made out to their church. The check stock was in a three-ring binder in full view. My friend wondered why these checks were still undisbursed. They said, “We don’t approve how the church is spending some of the money.” My friend learned that her parents attempted to control their church by withholding their tithe.

I am so glad you made it to the end of this post. I hope Ryan’s question has helped you gain insight into your own views about money and giving. I would love your help on this book project. I would like to collect data about the foundation you received (or didn’t receive) on money and giving.

  • Would you be willing to answer what you learned about money and giving from your patriarch/matriarch?
  • If the answer is “No one taught me about money and giving,” please share that as well. If it wasn’t your family who shaped your view of money and giving, then who did?
  • If all you have is a snippet, I welcome those too.

The comment box is below if you’re willing to help. I look forward to your feedback!

Blessings,

Lee Ann

4.29.16 The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Children

April 8, 2016, marked the one-year anniversary of my father’s death. Tomorrow would have been his 80th birthday. As I reflect on my loss, I want to share with you what I miss most.

Dad and Lee Ann 12.20.14

 

One of Dad’s spiritual gifts was intercessory prayer. A day didn’t go by without him lifting me up before the Lord. He was my prayer warrior.

 

If you are a parent, I want to suggest that the most important gift you give your children every day is prayer covering.

 

Dad understood the power of prayer and always reminded me that he prayed for me daily and considered it a privilege to do so. Each time I prepared to drive to Kansas on business, he paused and prayed over me, often over the phone. I heard these words often: “Lord, protect Lee Ann every step of the way. May there be no car trouble, accidents, or weather that could cause harm. May your angels hem her in from the north, south, east and west. May her week be productive and continue to bless her practice. Please bring her home safely.” Hearing him pray those words over me was a blessing. His prayers expressed his love, care and concern for me.

 

If you’re a parent, take time to pray aloud so that your children hear your love for them as you take them before the Father.

 

Dad cared deeply for my spiritual well being and growth. When I was a child, he centered his prayers on helping me discover salvation in Jesus. 3 John 4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” If you’re a parent, I bet there were times in your children’s life when you wondered if God was drawing them to Jesus. But once your child placed their faith in Christ, you experienced “great joy” knowing that your child asked Jesus to forgive their sin and commit to follow Him.

 

Pray daily for your children’s salvation until they make their decision for Jesus. No matter how old they are, keep praying for this!

 

When I made my decision to place my faith in Christ at age ten, Dad’s prayer ministry continued to grow. He lived out the Biblical examples and instruction regarding intercessory prayer. Colossians 4:12-13 states “Epaphras….is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” In Colossians 1:9, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding….” Dad upheld Scripture by praying continually for me.

 

“Wrestle in prayer” for your children. Ask God to “fill your children with all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

 

When I became a Christ-follower, Dad and I shared a new bond in Christ. We no longer had just a “father-daughter” relationship. We prayed together, resulting in some of my most precious memories. We shared spiritual intimacy as we expressed our thoughts together before the Lord. I learned more about prayer from my Dad than any other Christian because he modeled it regularly. He didn’t stop with “I will pray for you,” but prayed with me as soon as the need was expressed! He allowed me to hear his prayer before God, just as Jesus did praying out loud to His Father in front of His disciples (John 17) right before He faced the cross.

 

Pray with your children to build a deeper relationship with them.

 

I am Dad’s living legacy. I love praying for others. Intercessory prayer is the most important ministry I have because of Dad’s strong influence in my life. As he sowed spiritual seeds in me through prayer, the Lord found many ways to water them so that I could bear fruit for His glory. I believe Dad went to his heavenly home “having no greater joy” than seeing me walk in truth.

 

If you desire to strengthen your prayer ministry for your children, what would your next step look like? I realize many of you already pray for your kids, but maybe your next step is to pray over them in their presence. Let them hear your heart. Maybe your next step is to find a time when you can consistently pray together to deepen your relationship with your children. For those of us who are single, let’s pray over our family daily. There are plenty of spiritual children in our faith family who can use our intercessory prayer.  

If you have any insights, thoughts or reactions you’d like to share, please locate the Comment box below. I bet some of you have a vibrant prayer ministry for you kids that our readership would love to hear about!

May God richly bless you as you allow your daily prayer for your children to be the greatest gift you give them.

 

Blessings,

Lee Ann

3.18.16 A Christian Approach to Healthcare Coverage that Works

What if you could reduce healthcare costs while at the same time give to those who are overwhelmed by medical bills they can’t possibly pay on their own?

HealthPremiumsRiseChart

 

For years I carried a high deductible insurance plan, which in theory should come with a lower premium. The money I saved went into a separate Health Savings Account. But in October 2014 I went into sticker shock when I received my re-enrollment form to renew my health coverage. When I saw the latest spike in premiums, I decided enough was enough and made the decision to embrace a Christian approach to cover my healthcare costs. I joined Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) and couldn’t be happier. I’ve found a way to lower healthcare costs while honoring God’s mandate to care for another.

I want to share how and why it works in the hopes this approach might work for you.

 

1. CHM is founded on Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ”

Whether you believe receiving health care is a privilege or a right, God gave us a mandate to take care of one another. I don’t think He ever intended for health care to be out of reach for anyone. If there is a medical need, we help one another no matter what. CHM honors this mandate by allowing potential members to join with pre-existing conditions. If you generate a bill because of your pre-existing condition, CHM covers it on a graduated basis over a three-year period. Beginning your fourth year, CHM reimburses you at 100%. Your condition is no longer considered pre-existing.

They offer three levels of cost sharing per illness. The Gold plan covers up to $125,000/illness and costs $150/month. However, if you want unlimited cost support, you add the Brother’s Keeper (BK) program. BK enables CHM members to meet medical bills that exceed the $125,000 limit per illness. I pay $40 a year to participate in BK. In addition, I pay $25-$30 per quarter to help members who have incurred large medical bills. If you’re interested in checking out the three plans, here’s the link: http://www.chministries.org/programs.aspx

The bottom line is that I reduced my healthcare cost by 33% in 2015, while also sharing the financial burden of others.

Photo Courtesy@shutterstock.com/Tang Yan Song

Photo Courtesy@shutterstock.com/Tang Yan Song

 

2. CHM promotes prayer: “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.” (James 5:15)

One of my favorite aspects of CHM is the emphasis on prayer. When you become a member, CHM not only asks you to share costs, but to pray for those who are ill. When you receive your monthly gift reminder, a prayer card is enclosed, including the name and contact information of a specific member who has a prayer request. If you choose, you can go beyond prayer and send them a get-well card or a note of encouragement.

 

3. CHM Fosters a Spirit of Generosity

CHM sends a newsletter each month containing a section entitled, “Prayer Page.” It lists members by name, address, medical condition, and the amount of their outstanding bill. This is an opportunity to give above and beyond your monthly gift amount. Members with pre-existing conditions incur these bills while being a member of CHM. If you’ll recall, the first three years are not covered at 100%, so they need extra help if you’re willing to give. The range of outstanding bills is $4,200 to $95,000.

Here’s what amazes me. CHM totals the outstanding medical bills each month and divides it by the number of family households within CHM. Here is what came in my March 2016 newsletter:

“Prayer Page total needs remaining this month: $2,123,944

Each need would be met in full if each member family contributed $25.43 this month or $8.48 for the next three months. These amounts are suggestions; please consider giving today.” I have never seen this amount ever hit $30 per family!

If every member household wrote a check for $25.43, the debt would be wiped out! I can think of many ways each of us can blow $25 a month. Imagine all of these members who can rest emotionally and financially knowing their medical bills have been paid in full.

I made the jump from healthcare coverage provided by an insurance company to placing trust in Christians who commit to carry each other’s burdens. CHM started building this network of Christians over thirty years ago, and it keeps growing. They (we) have not failed in caring for one another. It goes to show that God’s principles always work. If you’re looking for an alternative, I would encourage you to explore CHM or other cost-sharing ministries. By the way, these non-profit ministries are eligible under the Affordable Care Act, so you don’t need to worry about that. Nor do you have to go through the Market Exchange to join CHM.

 

I encourage you to explore www.chministries.org to see if this is a viable option for you. I couldn’t be happier! If you have experience with a cost-sharing ministry, please share below what you like or don’t like about it.  

 

Blessings,

Lee Ann

3.11.16 God Wants You to Come Home

I love Easter. I enjoy coming together with other believers and worshipping Christ. I can’t wait to sing “Christ, the Lord, Has Risen Today,” or “Up From the Grave He Arose,” and “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” To this day these lyrics make me cry. Easter brings a powerful message of hope to a hurting world. We want everyone to know what Christ did for us on the cross and share His victory over death through His resurrection. But what about our family members or friends who have drifted away from God or don’t know Christ as their Savior?

Photo Courtesy @ www.organlessons.blogspot.com

Photo Courtesy @ www.organlessons.blogspot.com

As much as I enjoy the Easter celebration, I struggle with sadness for those who are wandering through life far from God. I worry about those who profess Christ outwardly, but haven’t stepped into a saving relationship with Him. I hurt for those who don’t recognize how spiritually lost they are and don’t think they need Jesus. There are some who know there is a better life, but don’t know how to get there. Jesus is the only One who can fill the void in their heart. How can we reach them to join us for Easter? The Lord gave me a thought that won’t go away: God wants them to come home. Here are a couple of passages and a hymn that came to mind that we can use to encourage our loved ones.

Photo Courtesy @ www.jesusplus.org

Photo Courtesy @ www.jesusplus.org

The Story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

I think of this story for friends and loved ones who are “drifters.” A father had two sons, and the younger one asked for his share of the estate. The father granted his request. The son took his early inheritance and promptly squandered it in a distant country. He became broke and hired himself out to work in the field and feed pigs. He envied the food the pigs were eating! He came to his senses and realized that his father’s hired hands had food to spare, while he was starving. He made a plan. He said, “I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired hands.’”

When the son set out to return to his Father, “his Father saw him from a long way off and was filled with compassion for him. He RAN to his son, threw his arms around and kissed him.” His father wanted his son to come home! The father felt overwhelmed with joy at the return of his son, so he celebrated by preparing a feast for him. Let’s pray for our loved ones who are drifting that they will know how deeply their perfect Father in heaven wants them to come home.

Photo Courtesy @ www.waysoflife.info

Photo Courtesy @ www.waysoflife.info

 

The Parable of One Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7)

I think of this story for friends and loved ones who are spiritually lost. Jesus told a story in front of a large crowd that included Pharisees and teachers, along with the tax collectors and “sinners.” Jesus described this scenario. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Isn’t this a beautiful picture of our heavenly Father? He cares for any lost sheep. He has a heart of compassion, especially for those who are outside of the fold. He will go to any length to find a lost sheep and bring it home. When a lost person repents, notice that our Father REJOICES. Do we have the heart of our Father? Are we doing everything possible to locate lost sheep to help them find their way home?

Photo Courtesy @ www.sermonsfromseattle.com

Photo Courtesy @ www.sermonsfromseattle.com

 

Finally, there is a beautiful hymn that says it all:

 

“Softly And Tenderly”

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

Calling for you and for me.

See, on the portals, He’s waiting and watching;

Watching for you and for me.

[Chorus:] Come home, come home,

Ye who are weary come home;

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling; Calling,

“O sinner, come home!”

O for the wonderful love He has promised,

Promised for you and for me.

Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon;

Pardon for you and for me.

 

How can we make Easter special for our loved ones and friends who are far from God. How can we help them know that God wants them home? Let’s not let the Easter celebration slip by us. We have a wonderful opportunity to start inviting others to join us. I’d love to hear your thoughts below.

 

Blessings,

Lee Ann

2.19.16 Lent is Not a Diet Plan

A few weeks ago a friend came to my office prior to our prayer time. We were preparing to pray, and the subject of Lent came up. She was trying to figure out what she should give up and shared her friend’s quip: “Lent is not supposed to be a diet plan.” We laughed because of the half-truth hiding in her statement. We all know people who use Lent as an opportunity to lose a little bit of weight. As I reflected on our exchange, I realized that Christians practice Lent for different reasons. I decided that we could all benefit by re-examining the purpose of Lent so that we can enjoy a richer experience with our Lord during the Lenten season.

Photo Courtesy @ www.slcas.org

Photo Courtesy @ www.slcas.org

What is Lent?

LENT (stemming from an Anglo-Saxon word for “spring” and related to the English word “lengthen”) refers to the penitential period preceding Easter. Early Christians felt that the magnitude of Easter called for special preparation. As early as the second century, many Christians observed several days of fasting as part of that preparation. Over the next few centuries, perhaps in remembrance of Jesus’s fasting for forty days in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–2), forty days became the accepted length of the Lenten season. Since the earliest years of Christianity, it had been considered inappropriate to fast on the day of the resurrection, so Sundays were not counted in the forty days. Thus, the Wednesday forty-six days before Easter came to be regarded as the beginning of Lent.¹

This year, Lent started on February 10th and will end on March 26th. Ash Wednesday begins Lent and represents mourning, repentance, and God’s judgment. In the Catholic churches, the priest rubs ashes in the form of a cross on worshipers’ foreheads.

Photo Courtesy @ www.gospelside.files.wordpress.com

Photo Courtesy @ www.gospelside.files.wordpress.com

 

What is the Real Meaning of Lent?

During Lent Christians remember their sinfulness, they repent, and they recognize afresh the forgiveness that comes from God in Jesus Christ alone. We recognize that God’s forgiveness for all has come at an infinite price—the death of Christ on our behalf.

Photo Courtesy @ www.cmvic.net

Photo Courtesy @ www.cmvic.net

 

Who Observes Lent?

I can think of at least three ways Christians observe Lent. Christians like me were not taught to observe all forty days of Lent, nor were we taught to give up something. Instead, we placed emphasis on Holy Week, and our church offered services throughout the week leading up to Easter. We attended luncheons and heard speakers give devotionals to help us reflect on Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. We attended Good Friday services to reflect on Christ’s crucifixion when He took our place on the cross. By Sunday, three days after the crucifixion, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus!

Some Christians understand that Lent is a time to “give up something.” The Bible gives the example of fasting. When the Israelites honored the Day of Atonement, they fasted for the humbling of their soul (Lev 23:26-32). In modern Judaism, they practice two major fasts (The Day of Atonement and Tisha B’Av) and five minor fasts. They fast to “afflict the soul” or to “chasten the soul” (Ps 69:10).

Few people fast anymore. Instead of giving up food, they give up vices like smoking, drinking, or gossiping. Others focus on giving up Facebook, watching TV, or their mobile devices. They take part in Lent with their best understanding of what it represents.

Photo Courtesy @ www.capitalfm.co.ke

Photo Courtesy @ www.capitalfm.co.ke

One group of Christians really understands the meaning of Lent. They use the forty days leading up to Easter as an opportunity to sacrifice something that helps them draw closer to Christ. The few Christians I know who take Lent seriously grew up in the Catholic Church. Whatever they give up, they spend time in prayer every time they make the sacrifice. For example, if they are fasting, each time they miss a meal, they enter into a time of prayer. They thank God for His grace and mercy toward them. They remember how Christ sacrificed His life for them. They reflect on their need for salvation and the forgiveness of their sins. They thank God for the privilege of having an eternal love relationship with Him.

Photo Courtesy @ www.images.slideplayer.com

Photo Courtesy @ www.images.slideplayer.com

Regardless of which group we’re in, all Christians share one thing in common. We want to come before the Lord with the right motivation. We desire to prepare our hearts to celebrate Easter and all that Jesus has done for us. We want to come before God’s throne with a grateful heart. Whether we’re giving something up or not, let’s contemplate the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf. When Easter arrives, let’s celebrate Christ’s resurrection! 

How are you observing Lent? What could you do to deepen your experience of Lent this year? How would that enhance your Easter celebration?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts below.

 

Blessings,

Lee Ann

 

¹ Grissom, F. A. (2003). Lent. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1025). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.