What is your commitment for the next year?

Have you made a pledge for the next year?
I know that isn't something that we talk a lot about, but I want you to consider make a pledge.

However, this won't be a pledge like is traditionally done churches. I'm not going to ask you how much, rather, I'm going to ask you what.

This isn't just related to church things either. This is a pledge you'll make between you, your family, and God.

Over the last couple of weeks we've been in a series on money, specifically, going through John Wesley's sermon on, "The Use of Money." In that sermon, Wesley wants faithful people to develop a healthier relationship with money.  Even back in his time there was an uncomfortable relationship between money and church people.

Those uncomfortable aspects came because we have been made to feel afraid of money, but we also know that it is a necessary part of our lives. What then happened was that we expressed that fear in many other ways that have caused us problems for a long time.

Wesley was working to undo those uncomfortable feelings. He reminds us that first and foremost we are created in the image of God, and because of that we have received many gifts from God, which include: earning, saving, and giving money.

What lets us do that is that through scripture we find the healthy boundaries we need to do those three things in faithful ways.

Filling out a pledge card, is a way for us to commit to living a more financially healthy life, and a more faithful life. You actually need to fill out two cards. One of them you will keep, and the other you'll bring to church with you on Nov. 3 That is All Saint's Sunday. You can do this on your own or as a family.

As a part of our service that day we'll both recognize and honor the saints that have come before us, and we'll add our commitment and pledge that will build on the legacy that those saints have left. Over the course of the next year, I'll send out periodic reminders about how you are doing with your pledges.  Anytime you want to talk more about them, or have questions.

How will you earn?
How are you going to earn more with the gifts that God has given you? How are you going to earn the same, but now with more awareness of what God is doing in your life? Remember that earning is good for us, as long as we are doing it in healthy ways.

How will you save?
Do you know enough about yourself to be able to save? Are you saving in the right places ? Do you need to start saving, or save more? Is it time to take some of your savings and use it for what you saved it for? (that is an important saving option too)

How will you give?
Remember when we give that we are using what God has given us. So, are you giving to yourself? Are you giving to your future? Are you giving to God? What ways will you do this more or better?

Throughout all of this, remember that you are doing this work with God. God doesn't just leave you on your own, but will join you in the process. Take some time over the next couple of weeks to answer these questions.