Thinking of Giving to Chi Alpha?

I’m the type of person that rarely buys something out of impulse. It usually takes a lot of thought for me to buy things that seem relatively important and things that are fairly cheap.
 
I think part of the problem is working through a comparative basis of what money could be used for. I always keep in mind where my money could be well invested and how many hours of work it takes to earn that much money. This makes shopping a tremendously difficult task and giving to ministry even more so.

Written by Katie Zimmerman (Facebook)

This perspective needs to shift from a self-focused opportunity cost scenario to handing over financial control to one who controls all of our finances anyway. What we can do with our money is so insignificant compared to what God can do with it. Even though things come up it is important to remember the need to support the Lord’s work and to trust that God can use our money much better than we can.
 
Giving to Chi Alpha is more than a donation. It is an investment in the work of God on our campus and on campuses across DC.
 
If we can declare that Jesus has our heart why is it so hard to give him our wallets?
 
Tuition is expensive and I’m pretty sure I’ll be in debt ‘til I’m 50, but thinking about all the other financial costs in my life and my longing to have complete control over my money reminds me I never really have control over anything. I can’t guarantee a job after college, or any sort of income. My financial situation may change but God WON”T.
 
If we have faith to move mountains, I’m pretty sure we should trust that God will provide for us to.

When I read the story of the young man who refused to give up his wealth for Jesus I think of how unimportant money is. I mean really, it’s just green paper with pictures of dead people on it. It’s not more important than living a life for Jesus!  But so often I find myself in the same situation where finances are such a delicate topic that I never want to bring it before God. The value we place on money doesn't mean anything compared to the value of the cross. When we keep in mind the value of the cross and it guides our financial decisions, I am certain you will see God use your money in ways you never thought possible.
 
So how many cups of Starbucks coffee would you be willing to spare? How many fancy new gizmos and gadgets could you do without? What would you be willing to do to invest in something so much more important than yourself?

The Biggest Temptation for 20-Somethings

I don’t know about you, but I automatically stop listening when people call our generation “entitled.”  When I hear that word, I imagine a bunch of rich, lazy kids who expect their parents to pay for everything.  I picture people who party all the time and aren’t motivated because they’re used to having things handed to them.  I think of people who have no desire to make a difference in this world unless it serves their own selfish desires.

Written by Natalie Hill

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Although this might be an accurate description of some twenty-somethings, it seems to have become an offensive, unfair generalization to describe our generation.  I know so many twenty-somethings who are passionate and motivated to see positive change and do something really important with their lives, and aren’t afraid to go out and see that accomplished.  I believe that this generation can be the generation that brings change to a broken system of government, develops programs to decrease poverty, teaches in schools where people have been afraid to teach, questions how the world works.  These are the people I went to college with and am surrounded by, especially in DC.

    But the more I think about it, “entitled” might also mean something different.  I think one of the biggest temptations for twenty-somethings is to think, or maybe even expect, that the world-changing, high-reward accomplishments will happen right away, or even on our planned timeline.  It’s easy for us to be so motivated that we’re disappointed when our high expectations aren’t immediately realized.  You might want to be the next Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, but you’re probably going to have to write about some mundane school board meetings first.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, and all those other cliches about process.

    I hear twenty-somethings talking about settling and the fear of just accepting what’s comfortable.  And I think those are valid concerns.  We can miss amazing opportunities by just seeking comfort.  We’re afraid of dumbing ourselves down or lowering our standards.  But if we’re not careful, those fears can be a product of pride.

    I’ve seen so many people my age who end up disappointed when they realize they can’t have everything when they graduate from college and that their dreams take work.  Well-intentioned plans still have a process.  I think we can change the world, but I also believe in baby steps.  That musician who got famous off of one single overnight is probably just an exception.  Or there are a few old albums you don’t know about that have never seen the light of day.  Because dreams take work.

    Whether it’s landing a dream job or working through an emotionally trying issue or seeing someone you love recognize the truth and love of Jesus, we can’t forget the process.  Sometimes those seasons are long and exhausting and hard and full of loss and disillusionment.  But those seasons are also where our relationships are built and where we learn the most about God, ourselves, and the world around us.  If we give in to the temptation that we don’t need to endure the process, we’ll be extremely disappointed when we encounter those seasons.  

 Step by step, little by little.