The Real Reason for Being Financially Fit

The New Year is officially upon us, and with that comes new opportunities and new challenges.

Just before the end of last year, we had a meeting with a couple we have been working with as clients for about a year now. During our time together, they brought something up that hit home with us as advisors and as Christians: they expressed their plan to increase giving for the next year. You should have seen Caleb’s face light up. Since I have known him, it’s been no secret that he has a heart for giving, and as I have spent more time around him, I can say that my heart for giving has grown as well.

We left that meeting with the same vigor and passion we’ve always had to help our clients become financially efficient, but this time our “why” changed a bit. The “why” is not merely so our clients can pump more dollars into things like more houses, boats, fancy cars, etc. Rather, we continue to learn that when we are efficient and good stewards of the money God entrusts us to manage, we are freed up to be able to live, give, and serve BIGGER.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to post a couple different strategies that relate to giving. There are a few unique opportunities we will discuss where, with no out of pocket cost to our clients, we can potentially help them turn assets not currently producing much return into assets with greater return, more efficiency, and ultimately more flexibility to be USED for good. Caleb and I find as we continue to be referred throughout our clients’ networks that many of the people we meet with have a genuine desire to give. They want to be generous with those in need, to the churches they attend, and many other avenues with the intent to fund God’s Kingdom.

The second realization we’ve had is that most people want to give more than they currently are. Why is that? This was the case for my wife and I recently, and only in the last few months have we gained peace in the giving habits we are living out. This tough, tough concept for our society challenges everything we as Americans have been taught when it comes to gauging our level of success. We are told to work hard, and what we earn is ours…no one else’s. The truth of the matter is that God ultimately provides, and if we are going to follow Jesus, then there are certain truths we must apply to our lives financially.

One of those truths is that God has blessed us. But here’s the kicker….He has blessed us SO THAT we can be a blessing to others. He does not bless us with the intent that we will then turn around and hoard our earthly possessions for our own gain. Another truth is that we cannot serve two masters, meaning that we cannot serve both God and money. We are called to steward the money that God has entrusted us to manage and in doing so, God is able to work through us for His glory.

One reason that giving is SO important is the power it encompasses. I say that it has great power meaning it’s very easy for us to work-work-work, earn-earn-earn, and then keep-keep-keep. Here’s what some people miss: God is going to be OK with or without their money. His will and His plan will be successful whether we give a dime or we give nothing. He uses giving as a way to change our hearts, because when we give sacrificially we are placing our trust in God and not in earthly possessions. Giving is another way that God invites us to be a part of what He is doing. Now that is an invitation worth accepting. There is a tendency to view giving as a rule, and when giving is viewed in this capacity, the point is missed entirely. Giving is all throughout the Bible, and Jesus speaks at length about giving because of the importance of the effect that it has on our heart. Love God, Love People, Do Stuff…giving is one of those things.

The purpose of this series is not merely to tell you to give more…but rather to teach you how you can give more.

How has your view of giving changed as you gain life experience?

Editor's Note: Cumming resident Brian Pierce is a Financial Planner at Catalyst Wealth Management working to help individuals who love their families protect, save, and grow their wealth in the most efficient manner possible.