MY money.

Me and Jesse got back from Outbound, it was our 'candidate week' for Operation Mobilization. I knew I wanted to post about it, but the entire week was just so epic. After 5 weeks of digesting, it is still overwhelming HOW MUCH God taught me. Maybe I'll break it down into different post.

I think the hugest difference is my attitude towards 'support raising'. 'Support raising' a really sweet term for asking people to give us their hard earned money for no particularly good reason except that's how missions work in the new testament was funded. And THAT is truly how I thought of it. I was basically dreading it. Raising money was an uncomfortable step int his journey of God's calling in our lives, “lets get it over with”.

But before I understood asking and receiving financial support, God wanted me to understand GIVING.

The first thing that hit me was that the 'money culture' of America is in opposition to New Testament church. They gave "freely to any who were in need". FREELY? To ANYONE? Wow. I realized that I had a deep anchored belief in my own 'right' to my 'hard earned' money. Especial after 18 months of scratching up dimes to pay of our student loans, I became so aware of the value of the dollar, I don;t particularly want to share mine with others. “I mean, what if they don't budget responsibly like I do?”

OM had us study basically every verse in the bible dealing with giving. I was surprised, (a lot) with how much it mentions Jesus' ministry as being supported by others, so not only does giving make us more like Jesus for all the obvious reasons, but “getting' makes us infinitely more like Him too. Here he is the emperor of creation and his ministry was supported by rich widows. Why? For his sake. NO. Definitely for the sake and journey and heart of the giver.

The Heart of the Giver.

The other thing that stood out to me, is that a huge barrier to giving isn't as much selfishness, but lack of faith. God wants me to get UNCOMFORTABLE for him. He wants me to empty us of our financial comfort zone, so that he can bless us beyond what I ask or imagine.

A giver can experience the same joy from giving, that I receive from the actual ministry? How could I deprive a friend or family member from that opportunity? 

And it must be stated, the simplest truth, although i forget it daily. It ALL belongs to HIM anyways.

I serve an amazing God. Who can transform my hard heart to "how much can i save?" to "how much can i give away?"

 I went from a girl who would sheepishly ask for 'monthly support” to an impassioned servant joyfully asking YOU to get uncomfortable for God and WATCH as He blesses you beyond your wildest dreams.