If I Could Only Afford…
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this is also vanity. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
One huge challenge in my ministry was to keep our spending in check. It was challenging for most of my ministry to be an excellent example of church giving and make ends meet each month. Ministers and their families are like anyone else. We worry about putting our child in a position to succeed, which includes paying for college. We are expected to dress nicely to represent the congregation well, live in a neighborhood near the church, and give to other organizations. At times, like many of you, balancing the monthly finances felt overwhelming.
Making the tough decisions that allow us to stay within our financial means is a spiritual practice. For example, when I was in seminary, the minister I served under told me how a church member complained that the pastor’s car was embarrassing in the funeral procession to the cemetery because it showed rust and a loud muffler. Yet, that same member argued against the minister receiving even a cost-of-living increase, which might not have allowed a new car, but would at least have fixed the muffler.
Yet, when we feel frustrated, we must not forget how blessed we are to have financial benefits. Even within our wealthy nation, millions wish they had a vehicle to drive every day. People in the third world cry out for food for their children. Perspective is important. It is easy to feel disappointment and shame when constantly looking at those who have more. Yet, if we take even a few moments to look down, we see struggling people, many of whom are powerless to change their situation. Then, with a Christ-like spirit, our needs change, and our hearts are open to sharing.
Today, pray for God to help us change our perspective and open our hearts to those with fewer financial opportunities. Help us recognize that we are not valued by what resources we possess but by the compassion we share in Christ’s name. If caring becomes our motivation, our values change, and our desire transforms. Ironically, focusing on others’ needs helps us focus on our priorities and makes it easier to become more faithful with our financial decisions.