For those of you who don't know, ABBA is one of my all time favourites. I really enjoy their music and which is why of course I really like Mamma Mia! I like to do exercise with my clients with their songs playing: Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Take a Chance on Me, and Money Money Money. It's easy. I know their beat. Their songs make me laugh as I exercise with my clients. And most of my clients know them since they are so famous.
I've been thinking about many things this summer. One of them is "Money". God truly blessed me financially this term. Well... it's expected as it is my 3rd work term since our pay is supposed to increase every term. But with the exception of my 2nd work term when I worked of a not-for-profit organization haha =="
Many of my friends went on a mission trip, are still in the middle of their trip, or are about to go. Many of them asked me to support them financially. But there were just too many people asking me to support them and I really couldn't decide who to support. Also, I would definitely rather support a couple so they can get a bigger piece of the pie than support many with a way smaller piece. I did pray about it and asked God who I should support. And honestly, it was no one specific. I did have one in the end... but I think it was because I spent all that time thinking about who to support that most of my friends already got what they needed to go.
I spoke to someone about giving what I stored up this term to that friend... and she didn't like the idea. It is a pretty big amount. However, I didn't put anything in offering at all this term. O_O So in the end it would still be the same if I spread it out over the months. She said I didn't have to give my friend that much because my friend will definitely receive some more from the church. Which is true... but I wasn't too comfortable with the reasoning behind not giving that amount: That I should save it for myself. Invest. School. Or if something comes up I can use that money. It really didn't sound right =S
I spoke to another friend of mine about what to do with the money. He reminded me that when I support others, I have to remind the person I'm supporting that it should be like a partnership kind of thing; That I should expect to hear stories about their trip when they come back as it is sort of like an investment. Since we are so blessed with money, we should definitely be careful on taking care of what God have given us.
In Piper's Don't Waste Your Life, those of us who are financially blessed should use what was given to us to help make other people glad in God. Such include supporting missionaries in their work oversea as they spread the Gospel. (he phrased it better than me of course lol) He made a pretty good point in his book. Not everyone are made to be missionaries or put in the "front lines" to serve the Lord oversea, but some are made to work behind the scene or back at home. What we are capable of making at home are to be used wisely; to give to the poor/ needy, offerings at church, and to support missionaries so that those who do not know God can come to know Him and be satisfied in Him in every aspect of life.
I thought about all of this again. It doesn't have to be just missionaries, it can also be relief funds for ie. Pakistan. I was watching the news or some talk show... I forget. The show put some figures up to compare how much is given to the people in need every time a disaster strikes. The trend that was displayed showed that fewer and fewer is given out each time. I think that fewer and fewer is given because natural disasters are just so common these days that people start to grow numb to the suffering faces of the world.
The world will grow more and more numb to these issues. But we who are Christ's followers should continue to do the work God assigned us; to take care of the widows, orphans, and the poor. And as we do the work, we must remember to do the work in faith.
So what are we going to do with our money? Save it for school (darn tuition and books)? New wardrobe (I do want some new cardigans... and other things)? Invest and let the money grow in your account? Buy a house? A car? Newest iPhone? =O
What is right? What did Jesus asked us to do? After all, we're only here for a short time. But we'll have to spend our eternal life somewhere. They will have to spend their eternal life somewhere.
Money, money, money. Must be funny, in the rich man's world.
Money, money, money. Always sunny, in the rich man's world.
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