For I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11b-13 (NRSV)
Whether we like it or not, money is a huge part of our lives. We spend a significant portion of each day earning money, spending money, thinking about money. That is not inherently a bad thing, but for many people it is a source of worry and obsession. And the world does not help by its push to consume and acquire more. This stress and worry is not what God wants for us, and the church is to be about helping people get out from under this weight and showing that there is a better way to live.
Unfortunately, the church as a whole has a problem talking about money. Either the church talks about money so much that people feel like that’s all it cares about. Or, to avoid being perceived as the former, it deemphasizes and avoids the subject. In either case, it often times fails to address or provide solutions for the real-world difficulties with which people are struggling. So the call from the church to give sacrificially often only adds to the guilt and stress.
Adrienne and I want to help fill that gap. The Bible provides answers to our real-world struggles, and we believe that the answer to financial stress lies in contentment – the opposite goal that the world presents. As we learn to be content with what we have, to recognize that we are called to be stewards of what God has entrusted to us, then it is easier to practically manage our possessions. This perspective is one of the ways we “learn to do everything Jesus said.”
Starting on September 20th, Adrienne and I will be facilitating a class on biblical principles for dealing with money and practical guides to budgeting and financial management. The 8-week class will be part book study – where we will go through Your Money Counts together learning the biblical perspective on “earning, spending, savings, investing, giving, and getting out of debt” – and part budgeting workshop – where we will introduce tools and techniques for managing money on a daily basis. We will be meeting at the church from 6:30 – 8:00pm with childcare provided.
So whether you are a natural saver or are living paycheck to paycheck, join us on September 20th for the class overview to discuss what the Bible has to say on being financially content. Contact us at JoseAndAdrienne@boada.org if you plan to attend or have any questions. You can also RSVP on our Facebook event page.
Jose Boada
Though both Jose and Adrienne have some experience in finance – Jose has led a Crown Financial Ministries course, and Adrienne has a degree in finance and is our treasurer – they would hardly classify themselves as experts. Since everyone struggles with money in some shape or form, they both have a passion for bringing people together to learn how to find financial contentment in Christ. On a more personal level, they both love the Gators and traveling to visit friends.