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Money Matters: Getting involved with a local charity or non-profit
This week I would like to address ways that you benefit when you volunteer for a charity or non-profit. I have seen so many changes in the lives of individuals and families as they get involved with Crossroads Ministries ministering to the elderly. It is another way of honoring God with your time and resources. Volunteering…It’s good for your Soul, your mind and your body!! Concentrating on others makes us forget our own problems and troubles and lifts us out of ourselves. Tangible benefits alone—such as satisfactions, and accomplishments- are worthwhile reasons to serve. When we share our time and talents we help solve problems, strengthen communities, improve lives, connect to other, and transform our own lives. We have seen a growing body of research that indicates volunteering provides individual health benefits in addition to social ones. In a report titled” The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research” has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health. Those who volunteered have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer. Some findings also indicate that volunteers who devote a “considerable” amount of time to volunteer activities (about 100 hours a year) are most likely to exhibit positive health outcomes. There are many ways to get involved. If you are retired, you still have your gifts and talents to share, get involved! Some non-profit may be looking and praying for someone just like you. It is a way to still give our gifts and talents to be used for the Lord. Many non-profits are in need of talented and gifted people to help them. Another way for you to get involved is to get involved financially. Most non-profits are always in need of funds. As with anything, always make sure that your money is being used for the Lord and is used wisely. I know at Crossroads, funds are always needed to accomplish the things the Lord has called us to do. After we began the ministry, we sent out over 200 requests for grants and received nothing of from any of them. As I was praying one day, the Lord reminded me that the responsibility for taking care of the elderly is the Body of Christ. So I now mainly look to the Body of Christ to meet our needs. Our only form of income is from donations. God is so good to us in meeting our needs through you as you give of your time and financial means. Many blessings to you as you walk through your life using your gifts, talents and finances for the Kingdom. Remember it’s all His, we are just stewards of the things He has given to us.
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“One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:13 NIV
Why is it important for Christians to get out of debt and have financial freedom God’s way? First of all I think we need to ask ourselves the question, “What is my motivation for being debt free?” Being a Christian, our motivation should be to learn His principles and practice them in order to become debt free. In learning His principles, we build a stronger relationship with Christ and we are better able to serve Him. That being said, we must learn to trust Him and be willing to obey Him when He gives us direction with our funds and our lives. Trusting and saying are two different things. I know from experience how easy it is to say you trust but how difficult it is to really trust Him with your finances and ALL of the things in your life. At the beginning of the year, it is easy to say we are going to get our finances in order but then things happen and it is not convenient so we begin to relax our commitment to get our finances organized. I would like to suggest some ideas to help us stick to our decision to get our finances in order: • Recognize that God owns everything that you have, that includes your family as well as your time and material things. Please know this principle or you will not be able to be financially free. “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” Psalm 24:1 • Learn to live on your income and pay your credit cards off each month. Save so you don’t have to borrow. “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord that great treasure and turmoil with it” Proverbs 15:16 • Trust God for ALL of your provisions. He will provide for all of your needs, weather they are financial, health, emotional or spiritual needs. “Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat? Or “what will we drink? Or what will we wear for clothing? Matthew 6:31 • Know that the Lord loves you and is on your side, He only wants what is best for you. Be content in your relationship with Him. “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity.” Philippians 4:11 Experience God’s love for you each new day and trust Him for that day. We get to experience God’s grace and faithfulness every day. Look for it, expect it!!! “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is His faithfulness” Lamentations 3:22-23 Stewardship Challenge 2016
Week 1 Money Management is an interesting and sometimes a point of contention for some couples. Since it is the beginning of a New Year, let’s set some different ideas on money strategy. It’s a good thing to have a conversation with your spouse or your financial advisor to be able to set your goals. There needs to be a balance in your spending between spending and saving!! Sometimes I think we spend money on the wrong things and we do not leave enough to relax and enjoy life now. I have always wanted to leave my six children a legacy of material things. But, I think it’s interesting that all of my children have told me I need to enjoy life and they are not concerned about me leaving them a financial legacy. I believe I have giving them a legacy in other things with my life and my faith, not necessarily material goods although I hope to leave them material things as well. I just recently read an article by Steve Jobs that he wrote just before his death. He realized that he spent his time and effort on things that did not bring him hope or peace. Material things are important, but not as important as instilling the right values into our children and helping them to grow up putting their trust in the only real hope and peace to be found, and that is in the Person of Jesus Christ. Lose your guilt about enjoying the fruit of your labor. It’s obvious from the scriptures that the Lord wants us to save but the Lord also wants us to enjoy the fruit of labors. You shouldn’t have to choose between the two if you plan wisely. Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 It is a gift from God so enjoy!!! Until next week…have a blessed week and enjoy yourself… Many of us shop online through Amazon. Did you know you can pick your favorite non profit organization while shopping a portion of your purchase will be donated to the organization of your choice? The program is called Amazon Smiles.
Consider choosing Crossroads Ministries the next time you shop on Amazon.com. Below is a link with more information regarding Amazon Smiles: www.org.amazon.com We tried it today and it’s so easy to use! You simply go to https://org.amazon.com. You will then be prompted to choose a charity in which a portion of your purchase will be donated to the organization of your choice. When using Amazon Smiles simply type in Crossroads Ministries USA, click on the box, and shop away! The Volunteer Training course scheduled for Saturday, January 16th, has been cancelled. Stay tuned for a class scheduled in February.
Crossroads loves receiving Thank You cards from activity directors at care centers. It’s so very nice to be acknowledged for all of our hard work as well as the volunteers! We just wanted to share a couple of thoughtful notes we received regarding Operation Golden Christmas. Start the year off right! Crossroads is ahead of the game and is getting ready for 2016’s Operation Golden Christmas. We’re having a Yarn Drive. All yarn collected is given to knitting groups and individuals who make afghans and lap blankets for Operation Golden Christmas. Get involved by donating yarn for a worthy cause. Tune in to KTLF radio to hear more information about dropping off at their location. You can also bring yarn by our office. Call Kristi at 719-635-5767 for more information. Or email kristi@crossroadsusa.org. Crossroads Ministries will be conducting Volunteer Training Class, Saturday, January 13th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. We will train you how to minister to the elderly in care centers. If you enjoy visiting with the elderly or feel called to this ministry, plan to join us for one of these informational meetings.
Location: Crossroads Ministries 5585 Erindale Drive Suite 207 Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Near the corner of Vickers and Academy (behind Woodley’s Furniture). We are the second office complex driveway on the left if you’re coming from Vickers. Go to the north end of the parking lot. You will see a white utility shed and residential homes. We are on the second level at Suite 207. You’ll see a white cross in a flower pot. Please call Kristi at 719-635-5767 if you plan to attend this Saturday. Or email kristi@crossroadsusa.org to reserve your seat. |
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