“It’s simple”, I told my 8 daughter, Hannah.

Give. Save. Spend.

I recently sat down and with Hannah and explained to her the basics of “owning” your money and not your money “owning” you.  We gave her 3 different envelopes and labeled each one “GIVE”, “SAVE” and “SPEND”.  I explained that “GIVE” is the first thing you do when you earn money.  You give back to God what He has already given to you.  If I can learn to give to God with $5 then I’ll be able to give $500 when I have that.  I explained that it’s the very first thing mom and dad do when we get our paychecks.  We pull out the cash GIVE first… not last.  The “SAVE” envelope is putting away 20% of everything you earn for big things later in life.  As a wise man once told me… if you save now, you can spend later.  We explained that this is for a future car, college or just emergency things.  And the last thing we explained was the “SPEND”.  Everything left over goes into this and is hers to spend.  She wants candy, she can buy it if there’s money in the “SPEND” envelope.

This is simple, but something that I wish I would have learned early on as a kid.  What do you practice?  Are you giving to God last or first?  Do you save now to spend later or do you just spend?  These questions, when answered correctly could save you a HUGE lesson as an adult.  Start now and you’ll thank yourself later:)

   Pastor Jake

I had the privilege of taking a vacation with my family last week. During my vacation I was talking to my uncle who asked me a simple question, “Where do I see myself in 5 years?” It got me thinking and so thought I would throw it out to all you reading.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years spiritually? 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years professionally? 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years relationally? 

Many times as JV or HS students there is a lack of looking towards the future and just simply living in the now, my challenge to you is that you embrace the future and prepare for the future! Be honest with your answers if you decide to take the challenge because it is the only way to see true growth in all areas of your life.

Pastor Chris