Grateful Living with Sharon Epps

Oct 23, 2024

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“And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house…“ - Deuteronomy 26:11

God is worthy of all the praise we can give Him, but that’s not the only reason to be grateful for His blessings. Sharon Epps is here to tell us what happens when we rejoice in God’s provision.

Sharon Epps is the president of Kingdom Advisors, FaithFi’s parent organization. Kingdom Advisors serves the broad Christian financial industry by educating and equipping professionals to integrate biblical wisdom and financial expertise.

The Connection Between Gratitude and Generosity

True generosity begins with a sense of gratitude. This gratitude comes from recognizing that we are made in God's image. As His image-bearers, we are inherently wired with traits like generosity. However, generosity is difficult to practice without first appreciating all that God has given us. We must take the time to regularly practice being grateful for life itself, our families, friends, and the resources God has entrusted to us. Most importantly, we should cherish the gift of Jesus Christ, who offers us eternal life.

Living a grateful life involves intentional practices. One method that can help with this is keeping a gratitude journal. By taking a few minutes a day to write down a few things you are grateful for, you can find healing and growth. Cultivating this habit with discipline will help you maintain a thankful perspective, even when life is tough.

How Gratitude Fuels Generosity

Gratitude transforms how we see our resources, allowing us to live with an open hand. When we recognize that everything she has comes from God, it becomes easier to hold things loosely, knowing that God is our true provider. This perspective shift also helps us see new ways to be generous beyond financial giving.

For example, gratitude can encourage us to practice hospitality, and appreciation for our unique skills can motivate us to use them to serve others. Ultimately, gratitude leads to humility, which makes us more aware of others' needs and eager to help.

Keeping Gratitude at the Heart of Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving approaching, families must keep gratitude central during their celebrations. Simple but meaningful activities like going around the table and sharing what each person is thankful for. Another favorite idea is creating “construction paper placemats,” where each family member writes down a gratitude message for others. These activities help foster a spirit of thankfulness and bring families closer together during the holiday.

Grateful living can transform our lives and our giving. By recognizing God’s gifts, expressing gratitude, and using our resources generously, we can impact others in meaningful ways. As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s make gratitude the foundation of our celebrations and carry that spirit with us throughout the year.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

My wife and I are inheriting a significant amount of money, including $50,000 cash, $200,000 in stocks, and $600,000 in mutual funds. We have limited long-term savings and only a car loan as debt. Should I work with the CKA (Certified Kingdom Advisor) with whom we have an appointment or open a Schwab account independently? How should we manage this inheritance?
I'm looking for CD rates that are comparable to my Christian beliefs. Can you provide guidance on where I can find Christian-aligned banking options for CDs?
I'm a single mom of three children with a limited income. I was wondering how I could raise my credit score. What are some steps I can take to improve my credit score?

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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