Spending Fast

Pin It Now! Will you join me a two-week spending fast? I spoke at Women's Bible Study this week from Ephesians 4:22-5:3. I covered unwholesome talk, sexual immorality and greed. If you want to hear the whole message check out the podcast.

At the end of my message, I left the ladies with a challenge. Don't spend money on anything but necessities for two weeks. But what about the girls night out you have had planned for three months? What about the kid's birthday party gift you need to buy this week? Make adjustments. Pray about it. Go to the outing, but can you skip out on the dessert or the salad or the drink or something? Buy the gift, but can you wrap it in a grocery bag and decorate that? Be creative. Be prayerful. Ask God to direct you as all the obstacles pop into your head as to why you just can't do it. Not now. Because there will always be something, right?

As you fast and are tempted to spend, when you are longing for that drive thru convenient meal for your family, when you are desperate for the store bought coffee, for the cute outfit for your kid ... reflect on God and the things He cares about. Reflect on how you spend your money. Is it God's way? Is there a hint of greed in your life? There's a ton in mine.

If you are reading this, you are probably rich. You have a computer and I would guess you have clean drinking water. Perhaps a car. Maybe a television. But half the world lives

on less than $2.50 a day. And 25,000 children die EACH day due to poverty. Don't be paralyzed by all the need in the world. Don’t disregard it. Do something. Ask God what your part is. How can I make a difference? How can I be less greedy and more giving? How can my financial style reflect that I am a child of God?

Most of us will save some money if we go on a spending fast. What are you going to do with that extra money? There is so much need. So many places to give. Do you know a single mom that could use a night out? Could you babysit for her (or give $ for babysitter) and give her a gift card for a restaurant? Could you sponsor a child? Could you leave groceries on the porch for your unemployed neighbor? I could make suggestions for days because the need is so vast. But so is the greed. God is working on me in this area. All the time. Will you join me?

It's gonna be an awesome ride and I know God will pour out his blessings as you reach out to Him and make sacrifices for others.

Ephesians 5:1-3 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."

I John 3:17 "If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but show no compassion - how can God's love be in that person?" (NLT)

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