Steve Sappington CommunicationsJuly 2010
 

 

 

Happy July, Everybody!  Can you believe that 2010 is ½ over?  For those of you who are new Facebook friends of mine, I send out a monthly newsletter related to my e-book, Today's WORD on Money.  If you don't enjoy the newsletters, you can unsubscribe below.

I am going to share several links with you this month.  First of all, for those of you on Facebook who are already my "friends," please consider "liking" my book page as well.  Just search for "Steve Sappington Communications."  On that page I post more things related to the spiritual/financial topics of my book.  Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Sappington-Communications/91714117735?ref=ts. 

You can also go to my book site, which includes links to Facebook, Twitter, and my blog.  Here's the book website link:  www.todayswordonmoney.com. 

Since 2001, our family has had a non-profit corporation.  During the last 9 years we have travelled coast-to-coast and gifted literally thousands of Christian books, Bibles, and DVD's.  One of the business deals that presents an investment opportunity for the clients I serve also has a non-profit component.

Through that component we've set up another site that provides a double benefit to you:  1) you can purchase alcohol-free hand sanitizer products online; 2) the profits from your purchases will help to fund our non-profit ministry efforts.   The hand sanitizer is called "Clean Hands Pure Heart," based on Psalm 24.  Here's the link to that site: http://www.cleanhandspureheart.com/chphgrp/7CordMin/index.php?groupId=21&leadId=49. 

And here's another link:  http://www.courageousthemovie.com.  The makers of Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof just finished filming their next movie, Courageous.    It will be in theaters in 2011.  If you enjoyed any of their previous movies, you'll want to visit their new site.

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As we celebrate Independence Day, I believe it's critical that we gratefully reflect upon the marvelous, even miraculous events that birthed this country, and upon the amazing talents and sacrifices of those whom we call our "Founding Fathers."  For those of you who would like to learn more, let me share 2 excellent resources with you: 
 
1) David Barton, who probably knows more about the founding of the USA than any other person alive today, has a website at
www.wallbuilders.org. 2) I believe David will be a guest on Glenn Beck's show Friday, July 2nd at 4 p.m. Central.  David will be discussing our "Founding Mothers." 
 
It is my conviction that even if you don't normally like or agree with Glenn Beck, his "Founders' Friday" shows each Friday should be appreciated by everyone who loves America, regardless of their political persuasions.

But let me go one step further here, lest you misunderstand where my ultimate loyalties lie.  I am so grateful for the blessings I've received by living in America, but my ultimate gratitude, praise and honor belong to God. 

And just as we have responsibilities as American citizens because of the sacrifices made by previous generations, we have even more responsibilities because of all God has done for us.  Let me just touch on one of those responsibilities--giving.

Proverbs 11:24-25 says this: "Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.   The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." (NLT)  Today's NIV says it this way: "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.   A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

One of the many responsibilities we face as followers of Jesus is how to handle wealth.  It can seem puzzling or even mysterious, for example, to hear how someone gives away 10%, or even 20% or 30% and still ends up with more than someone else with the same income who gives nothing!  I am regularly amazed at election time when I inspect the giving records of various candidates.  Many times someone who is supposedly "liberal" gives almost nothing to charity, while his or her "conservative" counterpart gives more than 10%!

Ron Blue says that generosity is the only way to break the power of money.  Further, he says that generosity is for our benefit, not God's!  God has all the wealth He needs, and He wants us to learn to depend on Him, not on money. 
 
Ron suggests that generosity is the way to achieve financial freedom and financial peace of mind.  He encourages us to compare our giving to our income.  We can do that by looking at our checkbooks and our tax returns.  Ron also says that generosity is not just about money, but also about our time, our resources and possessions, our values and our skills.  And finally, he says that a good synonym for generosity is "grace."

Here are some other scriptures you may enjoy:

1 Chronicles 29:14 (Today's New International Version):

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you (God), and we have given you only what comes from your hand."
 
1 Timothy 6:17 (Today's New International Version):

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
 
Deuteronomy 8:18 (Today's New International Version):

"But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today."

Until next month--blessings!

Steve