Tithe

I’ve been doing an awful lot of thinking lately about money.  Not about getting a ton more, but about my relationship to it and using it wisely.  After graduating college I lived for about 6 years on a pauper’s wages (by American standards), and have slowly crept up into the middle class since that time.  As my income rose I let my expenses rise as well, so that even when I was making $15K more than in 1994 I was still in the same financial pickle but with even more debt.  I’d always said, “if I ever get a big, fat raise I will pay all this debt off,” so when I was promoted last year I made up my mind that I would use that raise wisely and not waste it, because you never know what the future holds.  And I began examining my relationship with money.

Since that time I have put myself on a budget.  I have paid off thousands in debt and will be done with that (except mortgage) by February or March.  I am saving aggressively.  My budget is almost Spartan – down to the penny, so that even $20-30 in extra expenses throws me off-budget and I get guilty about it.  For instance, this week I “found” myself with an extra $50 and threw it at the credit card payoff.  I was so proud!  But then I needed the $50 and ended up taking it out of the emergency fund because I hadn’t thought it through.  I want to be done with debt NOW!!!  (I have the big savings account at a separate bank that is hard for me to get at, and a smaller one for emergencies and other budgeted/ foreseeable expenses.)  I need to learn to allow myself a little wiggle-room.

I’ve been examining my need to hold onto money so tightly.  Sure I have goals, and I’m well on my way to them with a definite plan.  I will have the school money I need.  But, I have also been thinking seriously about tithing this year.  I give regularly to various causes, but it’s time for me to tithe a full ten percent (which is what “tithe” means.)

Tithe is a church term about giving ten percent of your income to the church, but it doesn’t have to be a church thing.  Folks who are not religious or have different faiths can think about giving to whatever cause they believe in.  However, regular disciplined giving in any framework has powerful spiritual effects.  Even to start with $5.00 a month, every month to a cause one has committed to, is a major thing.  It changes one’s mindset and relationship to the world.  From a small but regular commitment, it usually tends to grow as years progress.  I found that if I give first and pay bills after that, I don’t miss the money.  If I pay bills first and then look at what’s left, I find it harder to afford.  But even on a shoestring budget, one can usually give $5.00 a month to something immediately after being paid and not miss it.

But I have been richly blessed.  The amount I give has crept up over the years, but not in proportion to my income, and as I walk my spiritual path I find now that I think I need to tithe in the literal sense.  I don’t know that it will all go to my church, though the largest chunk will (they publish the detailed budget so I know where they spend it), but some will go to other causes I believe in.  Right now my thoughts are with three specific organizations.  But I haven’t worked all this out yet.  It’s simply what I’m praying through right now.  Having a roommate, after March I’ll basically live on about half my income and be able to save the rest between my accounts and my 401(k).  And I need to continue saving really aggressively if I am to accomplish my educational goals – when I say I can’t afford something it means it doesn’t fit into my budget and would hurt my goals and plans.  At the same time, it’s time for me to increase my giving.

To put my money where my mouth is.

The Compact: End of Year 2007

I’ve been participating in The Compact for over a year now.  The Compact yahoo group states: 

“We are a group of individuals committed to a 12-month flight from the consumer grid.  The Compact has several aims (more or less prioritized below):

• To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of disposable consumer culture and to support local businesses, farms, etc. — a step that, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact.
• To reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er).
• To simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)

We’ve agreed to follow two principles (see exceptions etc. on our blog).

#1 Don’t buy new products of any kind (from stores, web sites, etc.)
#2 Borrow, barter, or buy used.”

I’m not a strict compacter – have mostly evolved into a “thoughtful consumer,” which limits my purchasing but I am not totally “off the consumer grid.” I also unfortunately get some things from China because I can’t always find everything used or afford otherwise, but as always, I’m trying.  I’d prefer not to exploit little Chinese children, nor support the government monster.

This has made the clothes shopping of yesterday (even though it was all used – it was a LOT) and the shoe, wallet and Target-etc. shopping of today and other similar outings feel weird to me.  I really don’t like shopping or otherwise acquiring things at all, and often feel somewhat guilty afterward.  Not because I’ve “broken some rule” – I just don’t like acquiring stuff.  I went to the grocery store immediately after these as well so I wouldn’t have to step into any kind of store again for the rest of the New Year’s weekend.  Bleccchh.

“Stuff” drains my energy.  I took another ½ carload to Good Will today – it’s getting harder for me to find more stuff to get rid of but I know I can do it.  My roommate is a bit of a hoarder so the place always seems cluttered to me – but as much as I’d like to, I can’t just start chucking out her stuff too.  She considers sending one bag to Good Will “a lot” – I call it “barely a start.”  You drive an SUV, chick-a dee.  Fill that puppy up.

I was good these last couple of days though – I did see a few “ooh-shiney’s” but came back only with what was on the list to take care of (buy or exchange), and within ten dollars of budget.  I simply wish that work didn’t require me to buy all these clothes. Thankfully, well-made classic-cut clothes will always be useful and not go out of style.  Hopefully I’m done for a while.

Introduction

Welcome to Journeying into the Unknown! As stated in the “What’s this Blog About” page, I’m Kris and I am a Christian. No, this blog isn’t going to preach about anything. I am just a Christian on a journey of discovering my purpose in Christ and struggling to achieve that and to walk closer with God. Here I’ll talk about struggles and spiritual journeys I am going through, as I suspect many others are also going through things like that too. All topics presented are open for discussion and a free exchange of ideas.

I am not one of those Christians who does not talk to people of other faiths. I have friends of many different religions and of no religion at all, and I love the diversity. Anyone is welcome to comment here.

Some topics that will be covered are faith and call to discipleship. I’ve recently been called to go into mission work, specifically with an organization such as International Justice Mission, that rescues people from human trafficking, forced slavery and the sex trade. So, at the age of 36 preparing to leave my comfy life and apply to law school. I am scared to death and woefully ill-equipped as far as being as advanced on my faith journey compared to so many others, so I’m not sure why this call has taken over my consciousness and my life. But it has, and here I am, for better or for worse. And I’m going, wherever He may take me.

I am also in the midst of a spiritual journey of learning about my relationship with money and posessions, and modifying that to be congruent with my walk with God and different from American consumerist culture wherever necessary. My next couple of posts will be about that. These and other topics such as current events and more are appropriate here.

Again, I am not exemplary or trying to preach or present myself as any sort of expert. I’m just searching and trying to grow in consciousness and intentional Christian living as described in the Bible and lived by the early church, despite many of the things that have been perpetrated in the name of God in the thousands of years of church history. I am always journeying back to the source, back to the Good: always to remember to love people first (no matter how many times I might fail). I hope that this will be a place to explore such issues.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to subscribe to my RSS feed via the link on the sidebar. God Bless You!