lance m. morgan

trying to live generously.

Five Marks of Real Stewardship

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Living a generous life means that you are living out these five marks of real stewardship.

1. Save Wisely

…whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Proverbs 13:11

2. Build a Budget

The plans of the diligent lead to profit…

Proverbs 21:5

3. Apply Your Gifts

…use whatever gift you have received to serve others…

1 Peter 4:10

4. Get Debt Free

…the borrower is slave to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7

5. Give Generously

…it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

All that we are and everything we own belongs first and foremost to God. Generous Living can encourage and equip you to become a faithful steward of God’s gifts using Biblical principles to manage your time, talent, and treasure. Let’s find the freedom and purpose God created you for by equipping you with knowledge of what God’s Word says about how to steward all that He has entrusted you with: your time, resources, and skills.

The Benefits of Generosity [LINK]

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The Christian Stewardship Network published an article titled, “The Benefits of Generosity“.

Generosity is the act of being kind, selfless, and giving to others. Notice there is nothing specific in that definition about giving money, although it can include money.

Generosity is exponential.

Generosity is contagious.

Why don’t we give?

How do you love so many children, and let them go back home?

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That’s a great question. And one that my wife and I get asked a lot.

I read this article, with the same question.

How do you love so many children, and let them go back home?

Hope. I have genuine hope that their families have learned how to better cope with stress. I have hope that we’ve forged deep, meaningful relationships with the biological family. I have hope we’ll see them again, but under much better circumstances.

How do you put up with such horrible behaviors?

Hope. Because, sometimes, grief looks a lot like rage. And if we can get through the rage, I have hope we can get to the grief. And I have hope that, if we can get to the grief, we can also get to the healing.

How do you even stand the constant upheaval in your home?

Hope. I am an adult who can rationally process sudden, unexpected change. The children who come into our home are not. I have hope that, even though the abrupt disruption is traumatic, we can be a safe haven in a storm for little souls who are lost and confused. I have hope that we will all settle into a new normal and find comfort in it together.

I would be sad all the time. How do you even listen to their stories?

Hope. I wake up multiple times a night to children crying out for me. I sit in a glider for hours, holding little bodies, racked with sobs, until they finally catch their breath. I document injuries, dispense medications, sit in on intensive in-home therapy, and fill out countless evaluations requesting PT, OT, and speech. I listen to a preschooler share stories of domestic violence and watch a preteen struggle with mental health. I open the fridge, over and over, to prove to children there is always food. I attend IEP meetings and I advocate for kids. But you know what else I do? I cry. I fall into my husband’s arms at the end of some days, and I beg to just put this work down, because it’s heavy. But he reminds me- hope lightens the load. And every day, we take a deep breath, lean into hope, and do it all again.

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Grace Kriegel. Read the entire story here: https://www.lovewhatmatters.com/hey-grace-a-baby-girl-was-abandoned-at-the-hospital-she-doesnt-even-have-a-name-can-you-come-pick-her-up-in-an-hour/

Steadfast

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We live in a world where people let us down in ways that are so hurtful, in ways that have effects on our lives for a long time, maybe the rest of our lives.

And so to open up the Bible and to hear these words about God, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Doesn’t that reality just boom from the pages of the Bible?

Across a world where love in so many ways, in so many relationships, doesn’t last, the steadfast love of the one who matters most lasts forever. And there’s an exclamation point at the end of Psalm 107:1, and I think there’s a good reason for it there because this is good news. God is good and His steadfast love for you endures forever!

For all who trust in Him, for all who lean on Him, for all who look to Him, the steadfast love of God endures forever!

For all who have turned from sin and self, trusted in Jesus, what He has done.

How to Create Your First Monthly Budget

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With your spouse or accountability partner by your side, get to work and follow the steps below to create your first monthly budget, that works.

Budget before the month begins.

For example, you’ll work on your February budget the last week (or so) of January.

List all income for the month ahead.

Include regular paychecks, bonuses, and money from side jobs or gifts.

List every expense for the month ahead.

Include giving, saving and spending. Don’t forget bills, debt, memberships, food, clothing, gas, entertainment, and anything else you might spend money on.

Move money around until income minus expenses equals zero.

Maybe you’ll reduce your entertainment spending in order to increase your savings, or perhaps you’ll reduce your restaurant spending in order to buy a new pair of sandals. Keep moving things around until you have a plan that works for you.

That’s it! You have been shown how to create your first monthly budget. You’re officially a budgeter.