Another Taboo?

This continues our very short 3-part series on the things we don’t talk about. 😀 

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We have 5 short examples to share – each one is about the same subject – a topic that many of us don’t know how to talk about without someone getting uncomfortable. 

It’s money. Why is it so hard to discuss this in a life-giving and authentic way?

Short-Story 2

(I’ll tell you about Story 1 shortly): A well-beloved friend of many years reached out to me asking if I might loan her money. In this case, I had known of her need months ago and had invited her to reach out to me if she needed some support. I had been prepared and it was easy to participate actively in the conversation.

Short-Story 1

Years earlier, this same beloved friend had asked me to be a co-signer of a legal document, ensuring that if the other signer couldn’t pay, I would. I over-reacted in my response and damaged the relationship. If only I had responded less emotionally and with more curiosity and genuine interest! 

Since then, Au and I have been praying for discernment AND a generous heart. Can they co-exist?

Short-Story 3

Our church leader called us to be generous – to those who have need, especially to those who also follow Christ. We were being reminded that all our talents, health, wealth, and resources aren’t really ours. We are actually stewarding what the Lord has entrusted us with. https://www.trueway.org.sg/local-church-and-our-giving/

Short-Story 4

A student travelling overseas invited us to financially and prayerfully partner with him in the adventure he believes will help him grow and equip others. 

Short-Story 5

Au and I just discovered some colleagues who are under-supported. How can we show care for them? Are we willing to pray actively for their needs?

Do we know how to talk about money? No, but we are willing to learn and to sit in an uncomfortable place so that when the subject comes up, we don’t squirm to get out of the conversation, nor do we cite some well-known and over-used cliché to hide our discomfort. How would you answer these questions:

• Is it okay to tell others when you have a need?
• What if the need identifies an area where I need to more closely examine? Is it a real need or simply a desire or a want? 
• Should you wait for others to notice your need?
• Will they judge me for having a need?
• Am I secure enough in my own identity to risk being judged a poor steward or a mismanager of resources?
• Can I be open about my needs without expecting that someone else should fill them?
• How can I be honest about my needs, while I know that there are others with financial needs, too? 

What would it be like if we became, first, individuals, and then later, a people, who were known for genuine generosity and compassion to those around us? People who can ask for help and people who notice the needs of others. What if genuine generosity, instead of finding fault, asks, 

• How can I bless this person?
• Would the gift of time…or prayer….or food….or something else be the better gift than the money?
• Can I give the gift of relationship and trust?
• Am I being authentic and tender-hearted instead of reacting in discomfort or with a sense that this is a topic we don’t talk about?

Come back tomorrow for our last post on the things we don’t talk about, but perhaps we should.