Do you love shopping as much as I do? My love of shopping began as a little girl when I was given an allowance of fifty cents per week. At first, I would spend every penny on candy. Then later in my middle school years, I started saving up my allowance for something I wanted, like a boogie board. Later in my teens, I went nuts and purchased a lot of unneeded souvenirs on family vacations. In adulthood, I loved poking around through second-hand or antique shops or wandering through malls. More recently, I have thoroughly enjoyed the online shopping experience too!
Some studies show women give financially more than men, around 57% more! Ladies, we are courageous and generous givers. What does this have to do with my love of shopping? If I’m not careful, I can easily overspend, which cuts into the amount I have to give.
(Luke 16:10-13 ESV) says, “’ One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.’”
If I truly love God, I want to do all I can to serve Him with all I have. Do I need that new dress? Is this bauble more important than using that money for God’s mission? Is it hard to give at least 10% to my church and another ministry? I confess I am ever a work in progress.
Some studies show women give financially more than men, around 57% more! Ladies, we are courageous and generous givers. What does this have to do with my love of shopping? If I’m not careful, I can easily overspend, which cuts into the amount I have to give.
(Luke 16:10-13 ESV) says, “’ One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.’”
If I truly love God, I want to do all I can to serve Him with all I have. Do I need that new dress? Is this bauble more important than using that money for God’s mission? Is it hard to give at least 10% to my church and another ministry? I confess I am ever a work in progress.
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7 Comments
Karen, at Christmas I started using Amazon for my shopping. Before long it seemed so easy to just get on there and "buy, buy, buy." My parents taught me to tithe and I would see my mom reach in her purse, sometimes at the prompting of my dad and give to help people in their time of need. I must say the feeling I get in giving far surpasses receiving. Thank you for sharing today!
Karen, this is such a good reminder to put a "heart-check" on where our pennies are going!
In the beginning of my Christian walk I gave 10% gladly and for years to the tiny country church we attended. Then, when we fell on hard financial times, I became a bit jaded with giving. We were struggling to pay utilities and the church I felt we had invested in for years, turned a deaf ear. It took me years to believe in giving again. I knew the church had a huge savings account, but what was it for? Then I attended another church where the pastor was caught miss using funds. That also happened in the 3rd church I attended.
Now I give with a different outlook, knowing that the present church I give to truly uses its finances to also bless others through community outreach, missions, and to help folks in need.
Thank you for sharing
Karen, thank you for sharing! It really made me think about why shopping gives us such a buzz - we get something tangible in return. Tithing is the opposite. We give in faith and often don't instantaneously or visibly see the return. It's an act of trust. My parents taught me to give to God first, rather than handover my leftovers. This has been such a blessing and I've countless stories of miracles when it comes to giving. God loves a cheerful giver indeed!
I understand! I used to collect watches. I had a watch to match every outfit. When I began to tithe, it was tough fitting it into my budget. But then I realized I did not really need another watch, or pair of shoes. I had more than enough!
Love your honesty!!! We are all a work in progress but we are in progress!! This group lets us be real and we need that!!!! God is patient! Thank goodness!! Lol
Thankful â£ï¸ for your words of experienced wisdom 😂... Isn't it a lasting wonderful feeling to give, where the satisfaction of a shopping trip is short lived... Thanks be to a LIVING GOD for you 💞.
Yes! I love shopping too and it is so hard to stop especially after the holiday season. Thank you for reminder me the heart of giving back to God is WAY more important than "giving" back to myself.