One true sign of the times we live in today is that of the financial strain all around us. Even if your family was not directly affected by the economy crash a couple years ago, I’m certain you know a family who was. I can also guarantee that you or someone you know is fighting the great battle with debt. It seems to be such a vicious cycle we go through ~ this tug of war between financial obligations and income.

Life happens. Bills happen. Budgets fail or need to be revamped, and life is ever changing and moving around us, whether our finances are prepared or not. In the midst of the struggle, it is easy to simply focus on what bills we can pay this month or work to formulate a plan to reach financial freedom. In our quest for the freedom to breathe again, we often forget we are called to a higher purpose. Even once the debt is gone, the bills are paid, and the savings account has grown, one important financial factor is often forgotten ~ perhaps the most important detail of all ~ we are called to GIVE.

I spent years of my adult life believing we could not afford to give. At the end of many months, we were left with nothing and mistakenly assumed that meant we had nothing to give. We were motivated to become debt free mostly for the sake of eliminating stress in our lives, and the concept of giving rarely even crossed my mind. I couponed faithfully every month for the purpose of saving us money and building a fantastic stockpile. We worked to reduce bills so we could increase savings. All the while, our Scripture-based admonition to give was ignored.

I was counting our pennies more than our blessings, and our budget, as well as our life, reflected it greatly.

One day, as if the proverbial light bulb turned on, I realized that not only should we give, but we totally could give. God was big enough to bless even our smallest efforts. He called us to give, not necessarily to give big. He promised to bless and use it all, whether big or small.

God does not need our money ~ He wants our hearts.

When a heart’s focus shifts toward HIM, the focus of a budget makes a great shift as well. Amazingly enough, over the next several months, our family was able to eliminate a number of frivolous payments eating a hole in our budget, and re-designate those amounts to charitable giving.

The best part of what we learned? Anyone can GIVE!

Three simple areas every budget has room to give ~

Give financially, regardless of the amount.

Shave off monthly expenses and give in that amount. If possible, reduce your cell phone bill, your cable or satellite package, or eliminate another small payment altogether. When we committed to sponsor one child through World Vision for $35 a month, simultaneously we discovered a discount available for our cell phone plan that more than made up that amount. Once I began to use Swagbucks to fill my Starbucks fund each month, we used that money to support Mercy House Kenya monthly. {Did you know you can make a difference with Mercy House for only $3 a month?} Anyone can use a few coupons at the grocery or drug stores each month. Consider giving the money you save to any number of valuable charities!

Give of your time.

Giving does not always have to be money. Even if there is just no room in your finances to give at all, there are many ways to donate and dedicate your time. Fabulous places like The Ronald McDonald House or community soup kitchens are always in need of caring volunteers! Local churches are also great places to ask about ways to volunteer and give of your time! Being a good steward of your time is just as important as being a good steward of your money!

Give of your resources.

If you are like me, you probably do not have the financial resources to help a family rebuild their house after a fire or flood or tornado. However, you most likely can donate some clothing items, shoes, or toys to help. As a faithful couponer now, my pantry is always well stocked with food and toiletry items as well, so at any given moment I can throw together a gift basket to meet a need! When our stockpile begins to overflow, we gladly purge some of the surplus by donating it to our church’s food pantry. In recent months, there have been so many opportunities to give to families in need after the many devastating tornadoes. I found myself making extra trips to the store for items I could get for free or for pennies with a coupon just so we could stop by another food or toiletry drive on the way home.

Remember ~ No matter how small your budget, we serve a BIG God. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and most certainly does not need our money or our time. He wants our hearts.

He wants our hearts. Can you give from there?

By Mandy, Pennies and Blessings

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