Resurrection Parish has just begun a small group titled "7 Steps to Financial Freedom". It's premise is seeking God's plan for our personal finances and financial future. Not only does it help individuals get a better perspective and handle on their daily spending, but it gives a unique opportunity to reflect on God's relationship with us and our money.
It has been very moving to see how many people, over the course of only 1 session, have had a drastic conversion in the way that they see their money. This resource makes it undeniably clear that our money is not ours. It is a gift from God and we are to be good stewards, or managers, of that gift.
Money is the most individual, earthly thing we encounter. Our paychecks have OUR names on them, not God's name. Our bank accounts have OUR names on them. Our raises are based on what we see as OUR performance. When individuals are able to see their money as not their own, they are also able to see many other things as not their own: their talents, their time, their relationships. They all become clearer gifts to be cared for, grown, and shared.
It is not easy to accept that our money is not our own. This resource, along with many others, creates this awareness while also creating a small group community to support each person as they move toward a life of stewarding God's money. Sometimes we need a reminder or a challenge from a trusted faith companion to get our priorities straight again.
This resource isn't about personal financial freedom. It is about freedom from the master that is our finances so that we are better able to follow the way of Christ as disciples.
I encourage you to participate in or possibly start a 7 Steps program. Your heart can be changed and your relationship with God transformed!