We Make a Living by What We Get. We Make a Life by What We Give.

I am so blessed and humbled to have such giving people in my life. Over the past months I have been financially blessed by so many people who have given above and beyond what I could have even imagined. I have raised almost 10 thousand dollars in less than 4 months towards my trip (putting me at almost 60% funded).

It is such a blessing to have so many people in my life who believe in me and in what I feel like is my path in life. To know that I have so many people in my life who love me is overwhelming and makes my heart smile. I could never do this on my own. Without you all I wouldn’t be going. 

I also have been able to be part of blessing my good friend and former squad member Brent when he was in some serious financial trouble. He had a lot of bad things happen in the span of about a week that led to him being about 3 thousand dollars in debt.

 See his story here. 

Brandon and I were able to rally the troupes of N squad, O squad and other people who knew and loved Brent to raise a little over 2100 dollars in under 2 weeks. I got to see God move through people who honestly don’t have much to spare because they too are headed out on the mission field for a year. These people, who I get to call family, didn’t even hesitate. They didn’t pray about it. They just said yes. Within about 5 minutes of putting the “are you interested in helping” ask on Facebook I had tons of my N squad members saying “yes” and “do you even have to ask” and “of course”. They rallied around someone in need without question. They gave what they were able.

I was praying the whole time that we would raise enough to at least cover his car problems and rental car, and guess what… that is almost exactly the amount we raised. It was such a blessing to see God give exactly what was needed from people who by the worlds standards don’t have anything to give. 

Confession time. I have never been great at giving. I am willing to give to my close friends and family, I would do anything for them, but I’ve never funded missions unless I had a personal connection and I’ve never tithed. About three months ago God really started to speak to my heart about tithing and being a blessing to those around me. I was confused. I mean I am going on a mission trip for a year. I am putting a lot of my money into supplies and flights for the trip. Wasn’t that enough? I am already giving back to the kingdom by giving up a year of my life… God’s crystal clear answer was no.

So for the past few months I have been regularly giving even if I don’t feel like I am going to have “enough”. Honestly, it has been stressful. I am still worried how I am going to pay all my bills while I am gone. I worry about what I am going to do for finances when I get back with no savings. I worry about not putting money in my own account. 

But God just keeps showing up. He has provided funds for me to go. He has provided someone who offered me their car for the time between when I sell mine and when I leave. He has also changed my heart. I can’t even tell you how much it has blessed me to be part of giving to my church and people like Brent. I am looking for ways to encourage people through my finances. Guys that’s weird. That’s not my normal state of being, i’d rather buy a new [insert tech gadget here].

I want to leave you with a few verses about giving. God says that he will bless you if you give freely and even though I still freak out from time to time about having enough, I can clearly see how my life has changed since I started giving. God will take care of you just like he has taken care of me. 

Solomon says in Proverbs “He that gives to the poor shall not lack”. He also says, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.”

Thank you to all of you who have been such a good example of giving to me. You are a blessing beyond what you even know.