More than 2,000 Scripture passages address the theme of money and Jesus spoke about our use of financial resources frequently. One of their central messages is that there is a connection between our relationship to money and possessions and our relationship to God.

God entrusted us with financial and physical resources to meet our needs and to help carry out God's redemptive work in the world. Once we are able to offer God control of our finances, we can offer God our entire lives, and experience the spiritual freedom and joy that God intends for us. The New Testament describes it in Matthew 25:14-30 and II Corinthians 8:9.

For many of us, becoming faithful trustees of these resources can be hindered by the pull of our materialistic culture, a lack of knowledge about wise financial practices, and the need for effective tools to implement.

• Thank God for the many ways that he provides for your needs.
• Consider how a monetary gift made during the worship service is an offering or a response to God's love and provision in your life.
• Occasionally give a monetary offering when the plate is passed during the worship service.  

• Budget a specific amount of money each week or month to give to God's work.  
• When you hear about critical needs in the world, in the local community, or in the church, listen for God's prompting to make a financial gift to help meet that need. Examples include natural disasters or a special benefit for a family displaced from their home because of a fire.
• Participate in the Financial Peace University group or another small group that is studying finances from a spiritual perspective.

• Make a commitment to move toward tithing 10% percentage of your income to God’s work. Set a percentage with which to begin, such as 5%, and begin making regular gifts in that amount. Identify when you will plan to take your next step in moving toward a tithe.
• Consider how the remainder of your income is spent. Adjust your savings, debt, and spending decisions in light of an understanding that all that we have already belongs to God.
• “Live simply so that others may simply live.” — Mahatma Gandhi

• Give the first 10% of all income to God’s work. Be responsive to God’s voice to give beyond the tithe when prompted to do so.
• Consider how all of your material assets, not just a portion of your income, could be used by God to further his kingdom. Perhaps some of your assets no longer give you the pleasure they once did. Consider donating or loaning them for some mission purpose.
• Make a provision in your estate plan for a portion of your assets to be given to God’s work after your death as a testimony to your investment in the treasures of heaven and the ongoing provision of God’s work in the world.
• Ask God to show you how your life could be defined by generosity. Begin to live into that vision.

• Financial Peace University - offered as a class
• Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity
• Good $ense: Freed Up Financial Living
• Stewardship Information at Hyde Park United Methodist