Faith & Finance The Best Investment I’ve Ever Made With Rachel McDonough
“I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:9
Rachel McDonough is a Certified Financial Planner, a CertifiedKingdom Advisor and a regular FaithFi contributor.
WHAT IS THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU EVER MADE, ACCORDING TO RACHEL MCDONOUGH?
Rachel recounts a story of investing not in stocks or bonds but in a person's life with a simple act of kindness. She met a woman who identified herself as a witch and was initially very hostile. With just $35, Rachel and her friends paid for the woman's phone bill, leading to a surprising transformation. The woman opened up about her painful past and received the message of God's love through this act of generosity.
- Investing in kindness can lead to spiritual breakthroughs, even with a small amount like $35.
- A simple act of generosity can soften a hardened heart, demonstrating God's love in a tangible way.
- Rachel's story emphasizes the power of meeting physical needs as an entry point to share the gospel.
HOW CAN PLANNED SPONTANEITY PLAY A ROLE IN GENEROSITY ACCORDING TO RACHEL?
Rachel advocates for planned spontaneity in generosity, suggesting that people include a budget line item for spontaneous acts of kindness. This approach combines the intentionality of budgeting with the flexibility to respond to the Holy Spirit's leading. Rachel shares examples of how this concept has been put into practice, including a client who felt nudged to give $500 to a foster family and another couple who invested in their backyard as a ministry tool to reach out to the next generation.
- Setting aside money for spontaneous generosity removes hesitation and promotes readiness to act on God's prompting.
- Generosity planned in this way can lead to meaningful encounters and support for those in need, reflecting God's love through our actions.
- Such acts of kindness not only meet immediate needs but also open doors for sharing the gospel and building relationships based on faith.
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF INVESTING IN EVANGELISM THROUGH GENEROSITY?
Rachel provides several inspiring examples of how generosity can facilitate evangelism. One story involves a client who noticed a foster family in need and responded to the Holy Spirit's nudge by giving them $500, which was a significant help during a financial crisis. Another example is a couple who plans to invest in a welcoming space for their children's friends, aiming to share the love of God with the next generation.
- Generosity can be a direct response to God's nudge, leading to impactful support for families and people in challenging circumstances.
- Large investments, like updating a backyard for ministry purposes, showcase a commitment to using personal resources for kingdom impact.
- Each act of kindness, whether spontaneous or planned, serves as a testimony of God's love and opens opportunities for gospel conversations.
FINAL THOUGHTS IN MAKING ETERNAL INVESTMENTS THROUGH GENEROSITY:
“Worldly wealth” can be invested to win souls, which are the “true riches” referred to in Luke 16:11. Prayerfully consider adding a line item to their budget — to be used for investing in the expansion of God’s family. The Great Commission is the one calling we have all received from God.
Rachel says, while it doesn’t have to be spontaneous, she encourages some semi-planned spontaneity. This does three things.
1. It will remove the hesitation you may feel as you consider what you can afford to give. That way, when a spontaneous opportunity is spotted, you’re ready.
2. It will prevent miscommunication with your spouse if you agree beforehand that this is a priority for your family and you agree on an amount.
3. It will make investing in souls an intentional and ongoing part of your lifestyle. Friends, I know of no better way to stay in close life-union with God than to take steps to grow his family. God cares about people and he shows up when we step out in faith to fulfill the Great Commission.
His definition of “true riches” is souls! Jesus paid with his life for this treasure. As his stewards, managing his resources on his behalf, when we use money to pursue souls we find ourselves perfectly positioned for an adventure with God that can fulfill our deepest longings and fill up our neighborhood in heaven with friends for eternity.
ON TODAY’S PROGRAM, ROB ANSWERS LISTENER QUESTIONS:
- I have a family member who didn't file taxes in 2017 and recently received a letter from the IRS. They're willing to pay but want to ensure it's done correctly and verify payment.
- After losing my job of 21 years and now living on Social Security, I'm trying to figure out how to manage financially without my previous income and considering how to access equity from my house to cover expenses.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.
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