What Do You Have That God Can Use?

There isn't a single person in the United States of America who doesn't have a possession that goes unused for a year. Every one of us has extra STUFF. Martha and I made a rule when we got married 35 years ago that if anything went unused in our home over the period of a year, we would give it away. And guess what, there's only been a few times I've given away something I wish I hadn't. The reality is that we all have things that go unused, whether they are possessions, talents, giftings, or resources.

We interviewed a Californian the other day who had a similar idea. Her name is Tammy Vallejo and you can listen to the whole interview HERE. In her community, there was a homeless problem, but there was also a solution.

Tammy gathered together a group of church and community leaders to discuss how they could help solve the homelessness crisis in their area. What they discovered was that there was an awful lot of church-owned land in the community that was going unused. So, they determined to put it to use by creating this thing called Compassion Village. This group created tiny home villages with a central community square by using fallow land the churches already owned. The village is a place for those struggling with homelessness to get off the street, gain job skills, and learn how to live in community again. All this was done on land that was just sitting there vacant, doing nothing.

Now, most of you reading this probably don't have any vacant land that you could put to use for a tiny home village, but what do you have? Do you have an extra car that goes unused, or a spare bike, or some nice clothes, or an extra TV or computer, or even an old cell phone? So many of us have things that clutter our homes, apartments, condos, or townhouses. Instead of letting them collect dust, let's put them to use and bless our neighbors!

Or maybe for you, it's not stuff, but it's a talent. Maybe you have house repair skills, or cleaning skills, or singing skills – and they all go unused! How can you engage your talents for the benefit of those around you? If you can't think of anything, ask the Lord to tell you what you have that you can give away or put into action for the Kingdom. You might be surprised at what you find.

God loves it when we use our possessions and gifts for the Kingdom - it's called being a good steward! 1 Peter 4:10 says,

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

God wants to use you, your stuff, your finances, and the unique giftings of His Holy Spirit to bless those around you. So, what are you waiting for?

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

A Donation of Life

I got to do the coolest thing on December 10, 2018 - I had the incredible privilege of donating one of my kidneys to my friend Bill. It’s a long story and has been covered in a previous blog and a few shows, but the point I want to get across is that this kidney shortage is a serious thing. About a year ago, Joe Carrol from BLE in San Antonio, TX, told me about his friend Larry needing a kidney. Joe had tried to get qualified, but his kidneys are not able to be shared for medical reasons. Martha and I offered to do a show for Larry so that he could share it with potential donors and see if he could round up a new kidney to replace his failing ones. We did the show, and many people stepped up to get tested, and one made it all the way to the finish line. Larry’s lifesaving surgery will hopefully be scheduled in the next couple of months.

You may be wondering, Jim, why are you talking about kidneys? Two reasons. First, someone you know may need a new kidney to continue living, and you’ve got an extra! But the bigger reason is that Martha and I have been given a platform, and we want to use it to help people find life – through faith, and yes, sometimes through a kidney.

The incredible thing is that you, too, have been given a platform: your workplace. Your skills and position open the door to amazing conversations that no pastor or church would ever be able to have. You have been given the gift of life in Jesus, and you can share that unique gift through thoughtful, loving conversation. Sure, the conversation may cost you something, maybe even a friend, but it may also lead to someone gaining a whole new eternal life because of your generosity and willingness to share.

Maybe you are like me, you are generous, and you are loving, but you always looked at your work as second class compared to being a pastor or missionary. That lie kept me quiet in my faith and alienated many who needed to meet Jesus. My work is not second class, not when I was selling insurance and not when I was selling used cars. My work was God’s work, and He wanted me to be a blessing to everyone around me, even if they don’t believe that Jesus died for them.

Maybe you can donate a kidney, and that will lengthen someone’s earthly life (check out the link below for more information). Regardless, you can share a Jesus story that will extend their life forever. Pretty awesome.

For my story about me and Bill check out this link here -  https://www.iwork4him.com/podcast/2019/3/one-incredible-kidney  https://www.iwork4him.com/podcast/2019/1/behind-the-scenes-of-a-miracle
https://www.iwork4him.com/blog/2019/1/a-gift-at-christmas
.
For Larry’s story –  this link. 

For your story…it’s still being written…

Link to more info about donating a kidney.

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

Debt - But Everybody is Doing It

I've been thinking back to 1999 when Martha and I were up to our eyeballs in debt.

In 1994 we built a house beyond our means and started a business solely on credit. I was addicted to having a new car all the time and we ate out more often than we ate in. In all, our spending was out of control. It was all fueled by the wrong idea that we were the owners, we thought we knew everything and never considered that the bible had answers to our money problems.

We had lived without a budget and spent beyond our means and we were headed for disaster.

After completing our Crown Financial course in the spring of 1999, Martha and I committed to getting out of debt. We prayed:

"Lord we need your help getting us out of debt. We know that out of control spending got us here. We also believe that if you ever call us to do something out of the box for the Kingdom, we don't want our debt to keep us from obedience. Please help".

We decided to sell our dream house, and make some major changes, but in a period of 15 years the Lord helped us get completely out of debt. No debt! No credit card balances, no debt on cars or our home, and we had college money set aside for our 2 kids remaining at home. Tell me that wasn't miraculous.

What's the point?

In 2016, just 17 years after our extensive biblical financial training, 2 years after becoming debt free, and 3 years after going on the air for iWork4Him, God asked us to go all in and quit our jobs and start expanding the message of iWork4Him across the Nation. The kicker? We did it! But it was only possible because God had changed our hearts toward money and we were willing to be obedient and get out of debt.

For the past 5 ½ years we have encouraged and equipped Christ Followers all over Florida and around the country (and around the world!) with the message of iWork4Him. However, millions more need to hear the message that their work matters to God and that their workplace is a place of ministry. Would you partner with our ministry for 3 years?

Be 1 of 367.

We are asking 367 iWork4Him listeners/followers to become partners in this ministry by making a commitment of $100 a month for 3 years. It's a big deal, I know. Please pray about it.

Jim

www.iWork4Him/donate

Proverbs 22:7 New Living Translation (NLT)

7 Just as the rich rule the poor,

so the borrower is servant to the lender.

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

Know It All

"I know everything the Bible has to say about giving!"  

In 1998 I actually said that, and meant it. My friend Greg was hounding Martha and I to join a Crown Financial Ministries group at our local church in Lakeville, MN.  I didn't see any reason to get involved because I read my Bible all the time and had consistently tithed for over 20 years...but he wouldn't give up.  I finally relented and Martha and I joined a Crown Financial Ministries study at our church. It involved a ton of bible memorization and bible study, hard work and perseverance.  We learned so much and our lives were never the same again, and if I haven't said it lately....thanks Greg for insisting that we attend.

We saw money like we were owners not stewards, and we learned that debt was a curse from God to the Israelites.  We learned to budget and to stop trying to keep up with the "Jones's" because their finances were a mess too. More than anything we learned the gift of tithing, not the requirement of tithing.

Tithing reminds us who the owner is and it is the only math equation that does not make sense in the universe. 100-10=100.

Over the years we have had the privilege of supporting many missionary endeavors through our tithes and offerings.  This has blessed us, given us a connection to the work being done and helping that work to continue.  For the first time, we are asking others to help support us through our "Be one of 367" campaign to help iWork4Him not just continue but thrive and grow.  Will you consider becoming an iWork4Him Partner for the next 3 years?  To learn more CLICK HERE.

Next week I will tell you about getting debt free - really.

Would you consider being 1 of 367? We need 367 iWork4Him Partners to step up and commit to giving $100 monthly to iWork4Him so we can bring iWork4Him to the Nation. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!