Starting July 8, you're invited to attend an eight-session course that explores how financial freedom can lead to living out your God-given dreams.
God gives us many gifts. He is after all generous beyond measure. And yet we sometimes don't recognize some of these gifts as being from our Heavenly Father. Have you ever considered the possibility that your dreams, and even your desires, are from God Himself?
Those images of what could be that pop into your head and draw a smile on your face are not a coincidence. They are divinely inspired by The One who uniquely created you for a specific purpose on earth.
"The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands." – Deu. 28:12a
So why do we downplay the notion of going after our dreams? Why do we often dismiss our holy ambitions?
In a word: Money.
For many of us, our seemingly limited finances–not lack of faith–steer the lives we live. Too often we give greenbacks the power to define an existence that may not be the fulfilling and Kingdom-building life God is calling us into.
Some of us have a rigid view of what it means to steward the resources entrusted to us. As a result, we're more focused on storing up treasures for tomorrow than investing in the opportunities God places before us today. Still others of us are too casual about the important role we play in managing our money and we distribute our hard-earned dollars indiscriminately without any real plan or strategy.
The Heart Behind Financial Freedom
For us to realize our God-given dreams while also being financially responsible, we have to strike a balance between these two relationships with money. And Kelly, a long-time attendee of theHeart, believes it starts with our hearts not our bank accounts.
"Personal finances can be stressful and dreaming big can be difficult," she said. "But because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we have access to everything."
It is with a desire to "launch people into what God wants them to do" that Kelly and her husband, Jesse, have decided to facilitate an eight-week course on how to make our money work for us, not the other way around.
"We have a day-to-day God," Kelly explained. "Culturally we've been conditioned to believe that we need to store up our riches. There's truth to that, but I believe that what we need will be there when we need it."
FINANCIAL FREEDOM
WATAUGA HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER
Sundays @10am | July 8-August 26
That all sounds good, but just how to do it is the question. Kelly wants to start by having an open and honest conversation about finances in community.
"God gives us strength when we do things together," she said. "We go from a mindset of individuality to a culture of vulnerability. As a result, good actions will follow."
These "good actions" will be identified and fostered in a small group setting Sunday mornings at 10am. The group is invited to meet in the media center, which is located just down the hall from the Kids Ministry table. Childcare will not be provided, but there is room enough for kids to hang out in the media center while the adults meet.
Three specific ways of studying and living out financial freedom will be focused on during this eight-week course:
Utilizing Tailored Curriculum
Kelly and Jesse will start on Sunday, July 8 by taking a needs assessment of the group. This is different than selecting a curriculum off the shelf and then asking everyone else to adapt to its principles. There's nothing wrong with "Financial Peace University" for example. It's helped millions take control of their finances. But Kelly and Jesse believe the eight weeks together can be more relevant to real needs and situations within the group if the topics are tailored accordingly.
Learning From Each Other
Tailored curriculum naturally leads into group attendees learning from each other. What's worked. What hasn't. Why do we view money the way we do? "Money is value driven," Kelly said. "We naturally spend more when we're stressed. But what are those stressors? And how can we identify them before they lead us into making poor choices?"
Supporting One Another
Part of the solution is learning some practical disciplines that lead us to managing our money better. Budgeting. Spending. Saving. Giving. These are all necessary practices to explore. And perhaps even more importantly is establishing a group of friends who can help keep us on track and encourage us to go after those God-given dreams. "We can walk together as if the money is already there," Kelly said.
If you're interested in joining the group, please email kelly@philosophyflowers.com. You can also drop in at 10am starting on Sunday, July 8.
More on Financial Stewardship
Pastor Jason interviewed Matt Matthews about money and how he approaches it in both his professional and personal life. Matt and his family attend theHeart. Matt is also an insurance agent based in Wilkesboro who works with people on developing a holistic approach to their finances. Listen to the entire interview here.