Stewardship 101 A

ccording to a 2019 statistic almost 60% of U. S. adults are living paycheck to paycheck. Even more startling, 18% of those made $100,000 or more. There are three basic reasons why individuals and families struggle: First, many folks are financially illiterate and find it difficult making right choices with money. Secondly, a vast majority of working adults are overextended, they have just as much going out as they do coming in. Lastly, a lack of consistent stewardship. Deuteronomy 8:18 declares “God gives us power to gain wealth.” We should earnestly pray and educate ourselves on how to be supreme stewards over His bountiful blessings to us. Here are three basic principles to help us achieve that goal: Spend some, save some, and give some away.

Spend

This principle is important because it impacts the capacity to save and give. Without question, spending is one of the rewards of labor. Admittedly, very few people have a difficult time spending money. Spending includes servicing monthly bills, paying for the emergencies, shopping, and entertainment. If expenditures are equal to income, then we fall into the paycheck-to-paycheck conundrum. The only way out of that malaise is to gracefully reduce expenses immediately. The next step is examining the reasons why it is a struggle for the ends to meet. Are you living above your means? Are you shopping to keep up an appearance? Are you emotional shopping (spending during times of heightened sadness or stress)? Carefully and honestly reflecting upon these questions may solve some of the mystery of financial mismanagement.

Save

In January of 2022, CNBC reported that 56% of Americans can’t afford to cover an emergency expense with savings. Saving money is critical to financial vitality. Not only must we save to respond to impromptu life events, but we should have enough savings to obey the gentle prodding of the Holy Ghost to minister to the necessities of the saints. Did you know if you save $19.18 every week, you’ll have

$1000 at the end of the year? One of the surest ways to save is to make it automatic through payroll deductions. If that’s not an option, most online banking accounts allow automatic transfers from a checking to a savings account. In addition to saving, every working adult should invest a portion of their income towards retirement. While investing can be a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be undertaken alone. Consult a reputable licensed professional to help you navigate through the myriad choices available. Simply put, saving helps us avoid catastrophe in the short-term, while investing builds wealth in the long-term.

Give

Giving may be the most underappreciated principle of handling our finances. Unfortunately, there are many people who have the willingness to be generous in giving but lack the ability. To avoid being in this quandary we must dutifully discharge the tasks of spending and saving. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “…God loveth a cheerful giver.” We should be willing to give to our family, friends, and those in need. In addition, we should gleefully support churches, institutions, and organizations that nurture us spiritually, culturally, and intellectually. I have adopted the 3 s’s approach to giving—Spontaneous, systematic, and strategic. Spontaneous giving means we can respond quickly without concern that our finances will be negatively impacted. Systematic giving is fixed and sustained over a prescribed length of time. Strategic giving is closely aligned to our core values. Whatever matrix we chose to adopt as a format for generosity should be deeply rooted in our belief that giving is the prerequisite to receiving.

Pastor Phillip Thompson is privileged to serve the historic Bethlehem Temple in Flint, Michigan. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and has taught many seminars on how money works.

First Gen Path To College

June Summers graduated from Soldan high school in 1965 in Saint Louis, Missouri. As one of thirteen children, June said, “I wanted to go to community college, but I knew a four-year college was out of the picture.” Her parents encouraged her to pursue her dream but did not have the money to send her. “I broke down and started crying and thought there was no hope for me.” Her mother could pay for her first quarter of community college, but it was up to June to find a way to pay for the rest. She did not know it then, but this initial support and encouragement from her family set her on a path that would change her life and the lives of generations. June worked during the day to pay for her night classes. It wasn’t easy, but she made it work. “That’s how my community college experience started, with tears, disappointment, and hard work.”

June met Roland, her future husband, while attending community college. He was in the military and just returning from the Vietnam conflict. She married Roland in 1968 and moved to Seattle, Washington. While waiting for her in-state residency to apply for college, June worked at a daycare center in administration. Working at the center allowed June to attend school studying Music and Early Childhood Education at Seattle University, paid for by her job. After leaving the daycare, June also lost her ability to continue her studies, which placed her education on hold. After several years, June decided it

A First-Generation College Student Journey

was time to return to school. “I saw my life going before me without completing my degree. I got so upset one day that I left my job and drove around the city. I just happened to pass Seattle University.” She parked in front of the psychology building and, by chance, was greeted by the Dean. “He showed me that with my previous credits, I could graduate in one year with a BA degree in psychology. That information motivated me to finish my degree.” With a growing family of two children, June graduated with her first degree from Seattle University in 1975. Her sister Shirley Houston graduated with a BS in Nursing in 1974.