Thoughts About Money

Confession: I worry. I worry about money. I worry about money a lot. You can imagine that I think God has a lot to teach me about this subject. One way he has made sure I learn this lesson is by marrying me to one of best men on earth...but who has never and probably will never have a simple, steady income with one W-2 form at tax time. At last count, Robert has had 19 part-time jobs in the last ten years, mostly to support his church-planting “habit.” Only one of those provided insurance for our family. Nevertheless, we have never gone hungry. We have a nice house, two nice cars, and memberships to the zoo and pool. But we also know how to make a dollar last as long as possible when we need it to. Last week, our Community Group discussed the topic of money and how we should steward the money that God has entrusted us with.

One thought that was mentioned is that studies show that no matter how much a person makes, when asked the question, “How much money do you need to be happy?” the answer is always 10-20% more than their actual income.

Another blog I read had a post a few months ago about the income of people around the world. A study showed that a person with an annual income of $47,000 is in the top 1% wealthiest people in the world. A person with an annual income of $34,000 is in the top 5% wealthiest people in the world.

The following day, an e-mail was sent to our community group with a link to an article from the Seattle Times with a story about Warren Buffett’s challenge to billionaires around the world to donate most of their income to charity. Buffett gives 95% of his income to charity while living off 5%.

Now, my perspective is that, sure, Buffett makes billions, so to him 5% still isn’t that bad. But, if I’m in the top 5-1% of the wealthiest in the world...wouldn’t someone else look at my income and wonder why I can’t live off of only 5%?

I’ve been reminded of the month I spent in India several years ago. One of the biggest take-aways from that trip was the thought, “how did God choose me to born into the circumstances I have...and not into the leper colony in the slums of Delhi?” When I realized that God is sovereign and He loves each of us equally, from the most wealthy to the “least of these,” I have to ask “Why me?” Why do I never worry about food or clothing? Why do I always have things to give away? Then I’m reminded that we are “blessed to be a blessing.” To whom much is given, much is required.

There are times when I am selfish with my money. My things. My time. There are times when I’m discouraged that I’m not the one in the home that’s twice as big as mine. Then I remember my friends who are selling everything they have and moving their 9 children to Africa to care for orphans. I remember the mom in India who carried a stack of bricks on her head and shoulders from one block to the next, every day for hours at a time. I’ve been challenged. And I hope to make some changes.

Why I Stopped Watching "Lost"

I invested 5 years into the show Lost. Why would I stop just short of the finale? I'm learning that sometimes we have to make choices and decide how to invest our time. During some seasons of my life, my discretionary time was overflowing. I could do what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it. I could watch hours of television if I wanted. Or I could travel when and where I wanted. Or I could volunteer when and where I wanted. I loved that season of my life. I'm sure I'll see an abundance of discretionary time again. But at the moment, my commitments to family, church, friends (and not to mention keeping up my home) have pretty much blocked out all of my google calendar (actually "calendars." I have nine.)

Something happened in January, though. A switch clicked that told me I had to start taking care of me. I couldn't let all of my discretionary time be controlled by obligations or my leftovers be "vegging" in front of the tv because all of my energy had been totally zapped by said obligations.

So, when Lost premiered, I gave it up. I just didn't have an extra hour a week to give. Instead, I made a choice to begin a running regimen that would train me for my first 5k. I began running about 3 hours a week and have now logged about 130 miles since mid-February. I feel better than I ever have, and I regret ever making fun of runners. I am in great company with a group of moms who started running on Sundays and ran a local 4 mile race together a few weeks ago.

Did I miss Lost? No. Do I regret my new 3 hour/week obligation? Heck no! Do I like having more energy and fitting into "skinny" jeans? Heck yeah! To all of my fellow beginner runners, keep it up!! To my friends still sitting on the couch who want off, here is the training schedule I followed. Good luck!