How I Managed God's Cash

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. (1 Chron. 29:11)

As part of our current series on money called “Cash Call” we were challenged by the principle that God owns everything and he entrusts money and possessions to us as temporary caretakers. Fully embracing this principle gives us great freedom in giving and a proper understanding of our position in relation to possessions. We gave everyone who attended that Sunday some money to use for God’s purposes, reminding them that this was not their money but only theirs to manage. Following are some of the ways that these resources were used:

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Through Kiva.org, we sent our collective $25 to a lady in Fogatuli, Samoa to buy more farming equipment and to expand her shop to maintain business growth. Her husband is a farmer.

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I donated to Heifer International. Here is the description. I like the idea of providing a gift of education as well as materials.

From Uganda to El Salvador, bees from Heifer International help struggling families earn income through the sale of honey, beeswax and pollen. Beehives require almost no space and, once established, are inexpensive to maintain. As bees search for nectar, they pollinate plants. Placed strategically, beehives can as much as double some fruit and vegetable yields. In this way, a beehive can be a boost to a whole village. Although most Heifer partners keep bees as a supplement to family income, beekeeping can be a family's livelihood. Your gift can help Heifer provide a family with a package of bees, the box and hive, plus training in beekeeping.
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We are contributing the money given to our friends Mandy & Jonathan Casurella that are raising support to be medical missionaries in Madagascar with World Venture. They are scheduled to depart for Madagascar fall 2009.

From their website, www.besidethebaobab.com
"As a medical doctor and a professional counselor, we plan to use our combined skills to promote physical, mental, and spiritual health and development in Madagascar. We aim to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ through our work and relationships. Essential to our beliefs in service is partnership. Partnership with the Malagasy people in service to remote communities and partnership with friends, family, church's and various organizations to join us in our efforts in promoting health and healing in Madagascar. Our long term goal is to partner with the Malagasy people to develop sustainable healthcare in these remote communities.