November 21, 2024 • 29 mins
Can financial decisions be acts of worship? Shay and Vanessa explore this intriguing question as they navigate the intersection of faith and finance. Together, they discuss how aligning your spending with God's purpose can bring fulfillment beyond material wealth. Inspired by 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, they delve into the concept of managing money not just for personal gain, but as a reflection of their spiritual values. Expect to gain practical insights on supporting companies that share your beliefs, even when facing financial challenges.
You'll hear personal stories that illuminate the joy and unexpected relief that comes from trusting God with your finances. They talk about the importance of incorporating prayer into everyday decisions, highlighting the deep-seated fulfillment found in giving—even when it requires sacrifice. Their conversation draws inspiration from 2 Corinthians 12:10, showing how embracing weaknesses and hardships can fortify one's spiritual journey, leading to a deeper connection with God and a happiness rooted in faith rather than material possessions.
Finally, they share stories of recognizing divine guidance and the liberating power of focusing on spiritual priorities. These narratives underscore the importance of gratitude for what we have and appreciating even the smallest blessings. Shay and Vanessa encourage you to reflect on your financial habits and ponder how faith can guide your monetary decisions. Connect with us through our website or any podcast platform as we invite you to continue this journey towards a harmonious balance of financial and spiritual life.
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Our podcast is proudly sponsored by Crusaders for Change, LLC (C4C) and hosted by our CEO and Founder, Mrs. Shay Cook. At C4C, we provide customized corporate financial wellness programs for businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Our services are tailored to create happier, healthier, and more productive work environments. We also empower individuals and couples to overcome debt, improve their credit, boost savings, and more. Ready to learn more about how C4C can impact your life? Contact us today at https://www.crusaders4change.org/!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Shay (00:03):
Ever felt those awkward vibes when religion and money
come up?
You're not alone.
Welcome to Yahweh's Money, thepodcast where we tackle the
crossroads of faith and finance.
I'm Shay Cook, an AccreditedFinancial Counselor, and the CEO
and founder of Crusaders forChange LLC.
Vanessa (00:19):
And I'm Vanessa McNelley, Accredited Financial
Counselor and COO of Crusadersfor Change.
McNelley, Accredited FinancialCounselor and COO of Crusaders
for Change, join us on ourjourney as we discuss topics
like tithing saving andconquering debt through
religious perspectives.
Let's get started.
Shay (00:34):
Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of Yahweh's
Money.
Hey, Vanessa, how are you today?
I am great.
How are you, Shay?
I'm here, I'm living, I'mexcited to talk about for God or
for self, because a lot of usput self before God.
So and we're going to betalking about that in terms of
religion and money, so howbetter to get that I mean?
So, hey everyone, are you usingyour money to glorify God or
(01:00):
just yourself?
In today's episode, for God orfor Self, Vanessa and I will be
tackling this powerful question.
How we manage our finances canbe an act of worship, bringing a
deep sense of joy and purpose.
Scripture reminds us to doeverything, even handling money,
for God's glory.
(01:20):
We'll uncover how aligning ourresources with his purpose can
transform our financial lives,leading to a fulfillment that
goes beyond material gain.
Let us talk about exploringpractical ways to put God first
in every dollar, every choiceand every goal.
(01:40):
Wow, that's a big.
That's a big expectation, but Ilove it.
1 Corinthians, 10, 31 through33,.
The message version says so eatyour meals heartily, not
worrying about what others sayabout you.
You're eating to God's glory,after all, not to please them.
As a matter of fact, doeverything that way, heartily
(02:05):
and freely.
Freely to God's glory.
At the same time, don't becallous in your exercise of
freedom, thoughtlessly steppingon the toes of those who aren't
as free as you are.
I try my best to be considerateof everyone's feelings and all
these matters.
I hope you will be too.
(02:26):
Wow, the scripture resays stuff, don't it?
Vanessa (02:31):
It really does, and I think this is a good reminder
that we can have our ownthoughts and opinions.
But you know, we should reallybe cautious and thoughtful and
just know that we have otheropinions and other people.
Then we have other things goingon than other people have too.
So just, you know, approachthings with with, I guess, just
a I don't know, just a uh, with,I guess, having heart for other
(02:55):
people and being able to justhave empathy in that situation,
yeah, I was going to say that aswell.
Shay (03:01):
Yeah, and just know everybody has a backstory.
Just because somebody's smilingat you, or even if there's
always a backstory, there'salways something going on.
You know the Bible notes.
It says our actions must bemotivated by God's love, so that
all we do will be for his glory.
Keep this as a guidingprinciple by asking is this
action glorifying God or how canI honor God through this action
(03:24):
?
It also states if we make thegood of others one of our
primary goals, we will develop aserving attitude that pleases
God.
Vanessa (03:32):
So I love that.
That's great, yeah, yeah.
And you know, when we thinkabout this, we need to think
about this every day.
It's not just something tothink about on Thanksgiving or
on Christmas or those specialtimes of the year, but we need
to think about glorifying Godevery day, with all of our
purchases.
And we can do that.
It's not as hard as you thinkit is.
So everyday financial choices,those are opportunities to
(03:55):
demonstrate our trustworthinessin God, and we can do that by
making smart decisions but alsorealizing that whatever we do to
glorify him, we can go a littleabove and beyond and we can go
outside of our comfort zone todo that.
So we can do that in a way thatwe're staying within our means
(04:16):
but at the same time, we'retrusting that he's going to be
there to help us through thosetimes that we may not have what
we need Exactly.
Shay (04:23):
You know I love the challenge when I'm like you know
, some days and some months youmay have more money, more month
than money, right?
That's a statement I used tohear in church.
All the time I'm like, oh myGod, by the second week of the
month I don't have enough moneyto get to the end of the month.
And I challenge myself to justbelieve in God to help me get
through the month or to be ableto pay the bills that are coming
(04:43):
up for the previous month andlike, all right, lord, I'll sit
down when I out with you byputting money to him and his
churches, his religiousinstitution first, and toward
charity, and then just trying tofigure out.
And it always to me it's likethis great challenge, all right,
(05:06):
I'm going into den with God tofigure out how to pay for this,
and he always comes through,that's awesome, yeah, yeah.
Vanessa (05:12):
And we have to realize, too, that every financial
decision should honor him.
Where's our money going?
What are we spending money on?
Are we spending money withcompanies that have the same
belief systems we do?
That's something we can do,because we are putting our money
towards people who have thesame beliefs and they're giving
back to the same causes that wefind important in our own lives,
(05:36):
and we can try to spend moneywith companies who invest in
their people.
That is one thing that I loveis finding companies that really
cherish and honor theiremployees and they see how
important they are.
So you spend money with thesepeople that have the same
thoughts and beliefs as you andyou're able to do more good
because you're giving back tothe cause already with something
(05:57):
that you would have had to doanyway.
So, a lot of these companies.
I don't think we know who someof these companies are.
Shay (06:03):
I was going to say how do you figure that out?
So do you go research companiesbefore you spend money with
them?
Yeah, For big purchases.
Vanessa (06:09):
That's something to definitely do, but some of the
companies that I was findingdoing some research for today
George Foreman cooking, that'sone big one.
Apparently they invest a lotback into the Christian
community, they're a.
Christian based company and theyinvest a lot into their
employees.
One that I think we all know ofis Chick-fil-A.
(06:33):
They do a lot for theiremployees as well.
They give I think this yearthey're giving out over $27
million in scholarships oh wow.
So not only are they investingin their employees, but they're
helping their employees succeedoutside of the workplace, which
is a huge thing too.
Jetblue is anotherChristian-based company,
marriott Hotels, which I'vealways been a Hilton girl, but
who knows that may change now.
Shay (06:54):
Me too, but I've been to two nice Marriott's in New York
and.
Philly recently and I was like,all right, I might have to turn
myself back to Marriott.
Vanessa (07:01):
Exactly yeah, timberland, that's another brand
.
That's a Christian basedcompany.
Shay (07:06):
Really, my husband just bought another pair of Tim's.
He used to buy two and threepair of Tim's a month yeah, I'm
putting him on blast A month,excuse me and he was like I need
to go get some Timbs.
I'm like huh, because he's beenreally like moving away from
that to his Jordans and thenmoving to more of the dressy.
And he went to get a nice pairof Timbs and I was like, ok, I
see you.
And then we were in New York Ibelieve it was Naomi Campbell
that was up on one of thebillboards and Times Square with
(07:28):
Timbs on and I was like, ok,timbs has never head.
You know, that's part of ourculture, so I didn't know that.
Vanessa (07:36):
You're educating me right now.
I love that.
Shay (07:44):
So if we can spend money with companies, that have the
same structural belief system asus, why not, you know?
Vanessa (07:47):
why not put our money where our mouth is too?
So I think these are some greatthings we can do is just do a
little bit of research and, youknow, next time you're out, you
know, looking for a burger,maybe try In-N-Out Burger.
Shay (07:57):
So I don't have no In-N-Outs up here at Merlin but
okay, but yeah, yeah.
Vanessa (08:04):
You know some other things we can do is we can find
contentment in everydaypurchases.
This is something that we do alot at home is we are always
trying to be so thankful forwhat we have because we feel
like we are so blessed and beingable to have steak once a week
or, you know, be able to toafford fresh vegetables.
(08:25):
So these are things that wealways, you know, thank God for
at the beginning of the meal.
It doesn't have to be anythingshowy or outrageous, but just
humbly thank him for what youhave.
A lot of people are not asblessed as you, and if you can
build that contentment in thoselittle things like going out and
buying gas or being able to buyeverything on your grocery list
(08:46):
, those are blessings, and a lotof people can't do that, and I
know there were times in my lifethat I couldn't do that.
There was a time years ago.
I remember I was praying to beable to make it home from
college because I didn't haveany money in my bank account,
barely had any gas in my tank,and I was just praying to be
able to make it home becausewhen I knew I got there, when I
(09:07):
got back home, you know, mygrandpa would give me my my
allowance for the month and I'dbe able to afford gas money for
the rest of the month.
So we need to remember thosetimes too.
So we're thankful for what wehave right now.
Shay (09:20):
That is so true.
Every time I drive to BaltimoreI remember it was me being, you
know, a little, I mean maybethottish, but hey, am I allowed
to say that?
But I want to see my thenboyfriend, now husband, and I'm
like I have $5 to get me toBaltimore and it's like a half
hour drive and back then the gaswas only a dollar a gallon.
So I got me five gallons andgot me there and back to school,
(09:43):
back to college.
So I remember the struggle wasreal.
I was working only making like$7 an hour and it was hard, you
know, and I didn't have familyto give me money.
I mean no offense to you.
You know it's um.
Everybody has different familymembers that you know.
(10:04):
Now I can, now my daughter isbenefiting from my success.
So she's like I need some money.
I'm like, okay, you know, butback then I didn't have that, so
it was hard and but I figuredit out to go see my, my
boyfriend at the time.
You know what I mean those werepriorities for me.
Vanessa (10:14):
Well, obviously, obviously it worked out, yeah.
Shay (10:19):
I was investing in Nathaniel back then.
Vanessa (10:21):
Yeah, yeah, and you know, and to preface this too so
my grandfather would give me$100 a month when I was in
college and he would do that ifthere was a big if, if I would
come home on the weekend, everyweekend, and give my grandmother
a pedicure.
That was the rule.
Shay (10:39):
Oh, that was beautiful yeah.
Vanessa (10:40):
That's right.
I remember you telling me that,okay, well, hey, that was worth
it.
Shay (10:42):
And then you got to create memories and spend time, so he
was going way more than justpaying you.
Vanessa (10:48):
So he was buying my time in a lot of ways, but I
would have come home anyway,because they were always so
special to me.
But it was a way for us to bondtogether and for him to help me
, without him just givingspecial to me.
But it was a way for us to bondtogether and for him to help me
without him just giving it tome, which is great too to be
able to to, you know, earn whatyou have.
So, yeah, yeah, but that wassomething that we would do.
But, you know, we need to knowthat we need to seek God's
(11:09):
guidance, even for simple moneymatters, even those little
things.
We can have those conversationswith him.
He is not going to turn us away.
And we can have those quicklittle conversations that some
people say you're just having aconversation with yourself, but
you're talking to God, and youcan have these conversations and
talk about the purchases thatyou're going to make, and should
(11:30):
I do this now or should I wait,because he will give you an
answer if you're willing to hearit?
So I think those are some ofthe big things we need to do
every day is just make that partof just our whole purchasing
process.
Just take a second, spend timewith him, use the gifts that he
has given us to honor him everyday?
Shay (11:51):
Yeah, just like you pray before a meal, why not pray
before a purchase, right?
When you're out there shopping,thanking God before and after
and during the process, thatyou're able to pay, and if
you're not, then you're like God.
I know you're going to providefor me as I need it, and maybe
you just didn't need that item,right, or maybe you are
struggling, you don't have themoney and you know.
But God will come through andfind a way you know, and moving
(12:12):
forward with just seeking thatnatural high of financial
stewardship.
I mean joy comes fromglorifying God with our finances
.
It really does.
I mean when you, if you'regiving to a religious
institution, you're giving to acharity, or you're just helping
a family member or yourself, orI mean it's just, it's such a
glory, glorifying thing for God.
God wants us to glorify him,but it's, it's and um, it makes
(12:36):
you feel good in the process too, right that you're able to give
, and we talk about that a lotand giving and how it makes you
feel, um, yeah it's just abeautiful thing and it's not
supposed to always be easy.
Vanessa (12:47):
That's the other thing about this.
It's supposed to be a sacrificeand it's supposed to be hard.
And we're supposed to feel it,because I think sometimes, when
we do feel it, it helps usrecognize what we do have even
more.
Shay (12:58):
Yeah, exactly Because all of this, you know, the money
that you have alone, happinessthat comes from that, the money,
the glory and the high that youget from God surpasses that is
what I'm trying to say.
So it's a better feeling.
Yeah, you might be able to buya pair of shoes or a house or a
car or whatever you want to be,but who's there for you during
(13:21):
that?
I mean outside of familyfriends?
God is, he's there and there'snothing like the glory and the
filling of God and the joy thathe gets from knowing that he's
going to take care of you.
And yeah, it's just, itsurpasses all of that, Whatever
you can buy with money.
You know, and they said, eventhe richest people are not happy
right, or they?
(13:42):
don't have the joy that we thinkwe are.
You know, if you would saybuddy money by happiness, it can
, but it does not buy joy, whichis different.
Vanessa (13:50):
It does.
Yeah, you know, and I talkabout my grandpa all the time
and you know, giving is his joyand he didn't get there
overnight.
That didn't just happen.
That is something that God hasput within him and when you see
that in him and you see this joythat comes from giving away the
last you know $50 he has forthe month, it is true and it is
real, and it is amazing to seejust how he beams and how bright
(14:14):
he is when this happens andit's like this is who I want to
be and this is what I want inlife and it's like, as long as
his basic needs are met, he ismore than good and he has more
than he could ever want.
Shay (14:24):
So there is true joy in glorifying him with all this it
really is and you know, puttingGod first in finances has really
even led me to blessings oreven joy.
I know we were in Turkey.
I was struggling at the time ofjust trying to pay credit cards
and student loans which,honestly, I didn't start paying
until years later because I wasjust like I have to defer and
(14:46):
forbear these.
I just can't afford these rightnow.
And I was really struggling.
So I remember, just likestruggling with the tithing
which every few years I strugglewith should I tithe or how much
should I tithe and we've talkedabout that in previous episodes
.
But I remember going to thealtar and just really praying to
God that I need help and Iremember that I got like a
(15:09):
$2,000 reimbursement orsomething from, I think, from my
student loans or something likethat.
I don't think it was added into.
I think I might've paid toomuch, or something from, I think
, from my student loans orsomething like that.
I don't think it was added into.
I think I might've paid toomuch or something.
I don't remember what it was, Ijust cause it was like 20 plus
years ago.
But I remember just being sohappy like and telling everybody
like I just got this money inand it was like I just continued
(15:29):
to give and I just rememberbeing so just happy but just
thanking God and praising himfor coming through at that time
and he's never failed me, he'salways come through.
I have to have a side note thatwhen I was working at the Airman
and Family Readiness Center, atthat time somebody from the
church was like I saw you at thealtar and I was like telling
(15:51):
you and our manager like shameon people, don't shame people.
I mean, we go to the altar tospend time with God, not for
somebody to show up at work andsaying you know why were you at
the altar?
That's none of your business.
But hey, I was practicing and Iput that in practice, that you
know the altar doesn't have tobe at church.
It could just be you getting onyour neck, on your knees and
(16:13):
your house on your face and yourhouse and being like Lord, I
turned this over.
You absolutely loves that.
We call on him in our weakesttimes.
And you know, and it was justsuch a beautiful thing the
scripture for today, actually,Vanessa, is 2 Corinthians 12, 10
, which is so funny becausewe're in Corinthians and we're
(16:33):
in episodes a day and the verseof the day in the Bible app is
that is why, for Christ's sakes,I delight in weakness and
insults and hardships andpersecutions and in difficulties
, for when I am weak then I amstrong and I'm like oh my God.
So even today, just in thismoment, how everything is coming
(16:53):
through, god is speaking to ussaying you know, even in your
weakest moment, yourpersecutions and your hardships
and your difficulties, god ishere.
Because you're in your weakmoments, you have to.
Who else are you going to turnto?
I mean, I'm sure people haveother options and vices.
I mean, I think I recently Iturned to some bottle of wine
just to get through some hardstuff which I haven't done in a
while.
but you know, turning to God, Imean it's just a blessing, okay.
Vanessa (17:17):
Completely, yeah, yeah, and you know, and when we see
that and we can recognize thatwith other people, it's obvious
when it's happening Like we cansee when that's happening with
other people, and I think we seethat spark that's ignited too.
And I think sometimes we get alittle jealous and we want that
too, which is not a bad thing towant that as well.
We just have to realize whereit comes from.
Shay (17:38):
Yeah, and blessing others with our finances creates a
chain reaction and joy and caninspire others to give.
And I know, as I try to givemore, I try not to boast about
it but people are like you knowhow, are you innate, blessed by?
You know, or have all the stuffyou have?
First of all, heart, not firstof all God, number one I was
gonna say first of all hard.
You know, hard work that'snumber two.
Like we, we sacrifice, we haveself control, we discipline to
(18:03):
get where we are.
But also giving.
You know, my Nate, my Nate, myhusband Nate is very giving to
his mom and his family and hisfriends and work.
He's just like I'm buying lunchall the time.
He's just, he's just who he is.
He just loves to give and Iknow we have been blessed
because of that.
So it's definitely a chainreaction, it's definitely
contagious right To give peopleto see that.
Vanessa (18:26):
And that brings into play this whole, you know,
self-gratification over purpose,which to me kind of equates to
instant gratification versusdelayed gratification.
Shay (18:37):
Yeah.
Vanessa (18:37):
Because for us, with that self-gratification, we want
to see that right now.
We want to see things happen.
You know, the second it happens, or we put the money into it,
or whatever we do with it.
But a lot of times, you knowthis, this purpose takes time to
see the purpose or to curatethe purpose.
So, it does take some time andwe have to be patient with God
(18:58):
and ourselves as well with this,and we have to give it time,
and I think a lot of us werejust not quite there yet that we
can recognize that.
But we need to learn to view ourresources as ways and
opportunities to help others aswell, and I think that can help
with that purpose.
If that is our true purpose inlife is to be there for others
(19:18):
and to make someone else's day alittle bit better, to help them
get through with whateverthey're going through, I think
that can really help with thatability to say okay, it's not
about me, it's about this, thispurpose as a whole, and being
able to do more for others.
And if I buy, you know, theseshirts from an online store
(19:39):
versus going to the mall andspending four times as much, I
can do so much more for otherswith that extra cash or with
that extra money, and I thinkthat's where we all want to get
to is that place where we putthat into our everyday practices
.
Shay (19:54):
And on the flip side, though, there are some people
that just remain selfish andjust will never change.
True, I want to be yeah, that'sthe ultimate goal, we would
think, for everybody, but that'snot the reality, right?
The reality is that some peopleare just all about self.
They want everything.
Now I see that within my ownsmall circle of friends and
family, like they're never goingto be the giving people, like
(20:15):
they'll take care of their youknow, their kids and their
spouses, but they're all aboutself.
They're not about the greatergood, and it's just what it is,
and, honestly, it's just anacceptance piece.
Where you get to, it's likewell, you will deal with God
when you deal with God.
Vanessa (20:27):
I'm not going to shame you.
Shay (20:28):
I'm not going to whatever, but not.
I mean, we meet a lot of peoplethat we service, that we help
through Crusaders for Changethat are like I just want to
take care of myself, I want togo travel, I want to buy the
nice things, I want to do thisand never talking about tithing
or giving, even if they're inthe church, and like Nope,
that's not my thing.
And honestly I'm at the pointlike whatever you do, you boo,
(20:50):
that's all we can do.
It's not our place to judge atthat point either.
Vanessa (20:55):
I think it just depends on where you are in your walk
as well.
But if your goal is to grow inyour faith and grow in your walk
, then your goal should be toget to that point where you know
we are really taking care ofGod's people.
Yeah, exactly, but you knowit's okay to plan for our
futures as well.
And it's okay to save and putmoney away and be prepared for
(21:17):
tomorrow, because that's smartand God wants us to be smart
with our funds.
But we can also do that whilegiving today and taking care of
others around us, and giveabundantly.
We can do both at the same time, and this is something that I
say to our clients.
A lot is.
I believe that we can totallysave for tomorrow and enjoy
(21:39):
today too, and I think God wantsus to do that as well.
He doesn't want us to sit hereand just suffer constantly.
That is not living and he wantsus to live.
But I think there are ways tolive and give at the same time,
while we're prepared fortomorrow.
Shay (21:54):
I mean, yeah, they say we're the smartest beings on
this earth.
Sometimes I wonder Maybe someof us?
We have the capacity to be verywise, so therefore we have the
capacity to save and invest anddo it at the same time
concurrently.
Hello people, you know, it'slike when we're meeting with our
clients they're like well, Ireally want to do this.
(22:16):
But I'm saying but invest, likeyou could do it all at once,
but only have $30 to splitbetween, okay, let's, you know
we can split that five, 10, 15,whatever.
We could do that.
But you know, just getting intothe habit of learning, that you
can live in the moment, you cansave and you can invest for the
future.
It's all possible, and then youcan glorify God all throughout
(22:39):
the process and in every step.
So there's nothing wrong withthat.
Yeah, you know, sacrificingpersonal wants to serve God's
purpose is a form of worship.
I know there's a lot of timeswhere I'm sacrificing for God
and sometimes I'm sacrificingfor myself and that's called
that self self-control, likethat delay gratification, as you
(22:59):
were talking about, Vanessa,where it's like I really want to
go to wherever and it's goingto cost a lot of money.
So I'm going to save and itmight take a couple years, but
it turns out to be one of thebest things because I saved in
that plan and I don't have touse debt or credit or I use my
credit card.
I'm able to pay it off rightaway.
So, but sacrificing thosepersonal wants for God, I mean I
(23:21):
this obedience, and there'sbeen many years where I weren't
wasn't a big obedient and Isuffered because of that.
And now you know I'm constantlyreminded what obedience, what
they say obedience is betterthan sacrifice, honestly.
So we'll be taking it a stepfurther than even sacrificing.
Being obedient to God's purpose, helping others, serving God's
(23:42):
people, that is a form ofworship that we all should
strive for.
Vanessa (23:46):
A hundred percent and, honestly, there's always a
reason why it's not the righttime, because timing is
everything.
I truly believe that, and if wesacrifice right now and we do
it later, there's a reason.
Maybe something was happeningthere that we were not supposed
to be a part of.
Maybe the cost was too great Imean, there's so many things.
Maybe we'll be missing out onsomething important that was
(24:07):
happening at home that we had noclue about.
This happened to me lastDecember.
I was supposed to go on thistrip with my, with my aunt and
my dad had gotten really sick.
But before all this had happened, I had got a new job and I was
unable to take off of workduring that time.
This is before I startedworking for Crusaders full time
(24:28):
and I told my aunt I was unableto take off of work during that
time.
This is before I startedworking for Crusaders full-time
and I told my aunt I was like Ican't go, I'm so sorry, but I
just don't have any vacationtime set, you know, ready and
able to use right now.
And little did I know when allthat happened.
The reason was my dad was goingto pass away during this
timeframe, that I was supposedto be gone.
(24:48):
And you know, in the beginningit's like, oh, I'm missing out
on this amazing trip.
I wish I could go on this tripof a lifetime, you know, a
European river cruise, like youknow bucket list kind of thing.
For me, there was a reason andI had to listen and I had to,
you know, try to not find a wayaround things and the reason was
I was supposed to be here andGod knows where we're supposed
to be and why we're supposed tobe there.
(25:09):
And if I wouldn't have listenedto that small voice that was
telling me you know what?
It's okay, don't go.
Even though everyone else waslike go make it work.
Tell them you can't.
You know you have to take thetime off.
Um, you know people gettingupset with me for not taking
time off.
Um, I would have missedsomething that I could have
never taken back.
Yeah, so there's always areason, there's always a way,
(25:31):
there's always a reason.
Shay (25:32):
I love that story.
God is working behind thescenes.
I mean he has a plan foreverything.
He knows right, and if you'reobedient, you can definitely you
know cause you could have notbeen obedient, you could have
still went on that and then youwould have been regretting that
for the rest of your life.
Right, Maybe, maybe not.
You probably would askforgiveness for yourself and
forgave yourself, but somepeople would have, you know,
like, no, I'm going on thatriver cruise and would have went
(25:53):
, and then they're like, andthen missed an opportunity to
spend those last days with theirfather or their parent and wow,
Wow.
You know my story is not, asit's not as great as that, but I
remember, I know they are butI'm like how can I top that?
I can't.
But my husband, he's alwaysbeen that great disciplinarian.
(26:16):
I guess in his own life with interms of his finances, he's
been very disciplined and Iremember he got a huge bonus
when he reenlisted in the AirForce.
We went to Omaha and I was likeI wanted to go on a cruise.
I was like I think we werecelebrating like almost 10 years
of marriage.
I was like I want to go on acruise, he's like no.
We got to buy furniture.
I was like I want to go on acruise, he's like no.
And so we get to Omaha and wehad to buy a refrigerator I mean
(26:41):
actually not a refrigerator awasher and dryer, all these
different things.
And I was so grateful for himthat we didn't spend all that
money on that because we had tobuy all of that.
And we eventually went on thecruise years later.
But I still even remember thatjust many times where you have
to listen to even people in yourlife that God is working
through, because God's likeyou're so stubborn, Shay, I'm
not, you're not even listeningto me, so I'm going to work
(27:03):
through your husband to makesure that you're you know
sacrificing things.
So and I thank God for myhusband with that because he's
very you know.
And also when focusing on ourspending, when the focus of our
spending is God, you're releasedfrom materialism.
And that damn Amazon's got mebeing very materialistic Excuse
(27:24):
me, I almost cussed that effingamazon is so beautiful but so
devilish at the same time.
And I think there's like adocumentary that's about to come
out on netflix dealing with thescience of it all and even how
they, they design everything.
It gets you going and wants youto put things in a cart.
(27:44):
I mean, it's a science, likethey're literally taking
advantage of us and we can talkabout it another episode.
But I was just like like, oh myGod, materialism.
So to me I've had to reallylike God, like let me just put
things in a cart and then I'llyou know once every other week.
Now I used to be like once aweek, now it's like every other
week.
I'll go back and from with God,instead of sitting in a bed and
(28:05):
talking to God.
I'm on Amazon, so like I needto be released of that, and
focusing on God is where howyou're releasing yourself from
that.
Vanessa (28:18):
Thank you, edis, though I'm with you, but I will tell
you, amazon does invest a lot ofmoney in their employees, so
that should make you feel alittle better, know, but still
that's just crazy.
Shay (28:28):
Well, this has been a great episode.
Vanessa (28:30):
Any final thoughts, you know, I would just say take the
small steps and be thankful forwhat you have and be thankful
for those little things andthose little moments.
And if you start with that, theother things are going to come.
But if you just take a secondand just thank God for the
blessings he gives you and justremember that somebody else
would be so happy to be in yourspot, I think it's going to help
(28:53):
everybody just be able to givea little bit more and be
thankful for what they have Amen.
Shay (28:58):
I love that and don't ask so.
Thank you for joining us today.
I'll call as well A big thankyou for listening to this
episode.
We hope you found today's chatabout the intersection of
religion and money insightful.
We would love to hear yourfeedback.
Hit that subscribe button orfollow the podcast and please
feel free to leave us a review?
Vanessa (29:18):
Yes, and for the latest Yahweh's money content, visit
us at www.
crusaders4change.
org or find us anywhere youlisten to podcasts.
Until next time, stayfinancially fit and spiritually
inspired.
Shay (29:32):
And remember it's always better Yahweh's way.
Ever felt those awkward vibes when religion and money
come up?
You're not alone.
Welcome to Yahweh's Money, thepodcast where we tackle the
crossroads of faith and finance.
I'm Shay Cook, an AccreditedFinancial Counselor, and the CEO
and founder of Crusaders forChange LLC.
Vanessa (00:19):
And I'm Vanessa McNelley, Accredited Financial
Counselor and COO of Crusadersfor Change.
McNelley, Accredited FinancialCounselor and COO of Crusaders
for Change, join us on ourjourney as we discuss topics
like tithing saving andconquering debt through
religious perspectives.
Let's get started.
Shay (00:34):
Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of Yahweh's
Money.
Hey, Vanessa, how are you today?
I am great.
How are you, Shay?
I'm here, I'm living, I'mexcited to talk about for God or
for self, because a lot of usput self before God.
So and we're going to betalking about that in terms of
religion and money, so howbetter to get that I mean?
So, hey everyone, are you usingyour money to glorify God or
(01:00):
just yourself?
In today's episode, for God orfor Self, Vanessa and I will be
tackling this powerful question.
How we manage our finances canbe an act of worship, bringing a
deep sense of joy and purpose.
Scripture reminds us to doeverything, even handling money,
for God's glory.
(01:20):
We'll uncover how aligning ourresources with his purpose can
transform our financial lives,leading to a fulfillment that
goes beyond material gain.
Let us talk about exploringpractical ways to put God first
in every dollar, every choiceand every goal.
(01:40):
Wow, that's a big.
That's a big expectation, but Ilove it.
1 Corinthians, 10, 31 through33,.
The message version says so eatyour meals heartily, not
worrying about what others sayabout you.
You're eating to God's glory,after all, not to please them.
As a matter of fact, doeverything that way, heartily
(02:05):
and freely.
Freely to God's glory.
At the same time, don't becallous in your exercise of
freedom, thoughtlessly steppingon the toes of those who aren't
as free as you are.
I try my best to be considerateof everyone's feelings and all
these matters.
I hope you will be too.
(02:26):
Wow, the scripture resays stuff, don't it?
Vanessa (02:31):
It really does, and I think this is a good reminder
that we can have our ownthoughts and opinions.
But you know, we should reallybe cautious and thoughtful and
just know that we have otheropinions and other people.
Then we have other things goingon than other people have too.
So just, you know, approachthings with with, I guess, just
a I don't know, just a uh, with,I guess, having heart for other
(02:55):
people and being able to justhave empathy in that situation,
yeah, I was going to say that aswell.
Shay (03:01):
Yeah, and just know everybody has a backstory.
Just because somebody's smilingat you, or even if there's
always a backstory, there'salways something going on.
You know the Bible notes.
It says our actions must bemotivated by God's love, so that
all we do will be for his glory.
Keep this as a guidingprinciple by asking is this
action glorifying God or how canI honor God through this action
(03:24):
?
It also states if we make thegood of others one of our
primary goals, we will develop aserving attitude that pleases
God.
Vanessa (03:32):
So I love that.
That's great, yeah, yeah.
And you know, when we thinkabout this, we need to think
about this every day.
It's not just something tothink about on Thanksgiving or
on Christmas or those specialtimes of the year, but we need
to think about glorifying Godevery day, with all of our
purchases.
And we can do that.
It's not as hard as you thinkit is.
So everyday financial choices,those are opportunities to
(03:55):
demonstrate our trustworthinessin God, and we can do that by
making smart decisions but alsorealizing that whatever we do to
glorify him, we can go a littleabove and beyond and we can go
outside of our comfort zone todo that.
So we can do that in a way thatwe're staying within our means
(04:16):
but at the same time, we'retrusting that he's going to be
there to help us through thosetimes that we may not have what
we need Exactly.
Shay (04:23):
You know I love the challenge when I'm like you know
, some days and some months youmay have more money, more month
than money, right?
That's a statement I used tohear in church.
All the time I'm like, oh myGod, by the second week of the
month I don't have enough moneyto get to the end of the month.
And I challenge myself to justbelieve in God to help me get
through the month or to be ableto pay the bills that are coming
(04:43):
up for the previous month andlike, all right, lord, I'll sit
down when I out with you byputting money to him and his
churches, his religiousinstitution first, and toward
charity, and then just trying tofigure out.
And it always to me it's likethis great challenge, all right,
(05:06):
I'm going into den with God tofigure out how to pay for this,
and he always comes through,that's awesome, yeah, yeah.
Vanessa (05:12):
And we have to realize, too, that every financial
decision should honor him.
Where's our money going?
What are we spending money on?
Are we spending money withcompanies that have the same
belief systems we do?
That's something we can do,because we are putting our money
towards people who have thesame beliefs and they're giving
back to the same causes that wefind important in our own lives,
(05:36):
and we can try to spend moneywith companies who invest in
their people.
That is one thing that I loveis finding companies that really
cherish and honor theiremployees and they see how
important they are.
So you spend money with thesepeople that have the same
thoughts and beliefs as you andyou're able to do more good
because you're giving back tothe cause already with something
(05:57):
that you would have had to doanyway.
So, a lot of these companies.
I don't think we know who someof these companies are.
Shay (06:03):
I was going to say how do you figure that out?
So do you go research companiesbefore you spend money with
them?
Yeah, For big purchases.
Vanessa (06:09):
That's something to definitely do, but some of the
companies that I was findingdoing some research for today
George Foreman cooking, that'sone big one.
Apparently they invest a lotback into the Christian
community, they're a.
Christian based company and theyinvest a lot into their
employees.
One that I think we all know ofis Chick-fil-A.
(06:33):
They do a lot for theiremployees as well.
They give I think this yearthey're giving out over $27
million in scholarships oh wow.
So not only are they investingin their employees, but they're
helping their employees succeedoutside of the workplace, which
is a huge thing too.
Jetblue is anotherChristian-based company,
marriott Hotels, which I'vealways been a Hilton girl, but
who knows that may change now.
Shay (06:54):
Me too, but I've been to two nice Marriott's in New York
and.
Philly recently and I was like,all right, I might have to turn
myself back to Marriott.
Vanessa (07:01):
Exactly yeah, timberland, that's another brand
.
That's a Christian basedcompany.
Shay (07:06):
Really, my husband just bought another pair of Tim's.
He used to buy two and threepair of Tim's a month yeah, I'm
putting him on blast A month,excuse me and he was like I need
to go get some Timbs.
I'm like huh, because he's beenreally like moving away from
that to his Jordans and thenmoving to more of the dressy.
And he went to get a nice pairof Timbs and I was like, ok, I
see you.
And then we were in New York Ibelieve it was Naomi Campbell
that was up on one of thebillboards and Times Square with
(07:28):
Timbs on and I was like, ok,timbs has never head.
You know, that's part of ourculture, so I didn't know that.
Vanessa (07:36):
You're educating me right now.
I love that.
Shay (07:44):
So if we can spend money with companies, that have the
same structural belief system asus, why not, you know?
Vanessa (07:47):
why not put our money where our mouth is too?
So I think these are some greatthings we can do is just do a
little bit of research and, youknow, next time you're out, you
know, looking for a burger,maybe try In-N-Out Burger.
Shay (07:57):
So I don't have no In-N-Outs up here at Merlin but
okay, but yeah, yeah.
Vanessa (08:04):
You know some other things we can do is we can find
contentment in everydaypurchases.
This is something that we do alot at home is we are always
trying to be so thankful forwhat we have because we feel
like we are so blessed and beingable to have steak once a week
or, you know, be able to toafford fresh vegetables.
(08:25):
So these are things that wealways, you know, thank God for
at the beginning of the meal.
It doesn't have to be anythingshowy or outrageous, but just
humbly thank him for what youhave.
A lot of people are not asblessed as you, and if you can
build that contentment in thoselittle things like going out and
buying gas or being able to buyeverything on your grocery list
(08:46):
, those are blessings, and a lotof people can't do that, and I
know there were times in my lifethat I couldn't do that.
There was a time years ago.
I remember I was praying to beable to make it home from
college because I didn't haveany money in my bank account,
barely had any gas in my tank,and I was just praying to be
able to make it home becausewhen I knew I got there, when I
(09:07):
got back home, you know, mygrandpa would give me my my
allowance for the month and I'dbe able to afford gas money for
the rest of the month.
So we need to remember thosetimes too.
So we're thankful for what wehave right now.
Shay (09:20):
That is so true.
Every time I drive to BaltimoreI remember it was me being, you
know, a little, I mean maybethottish, but hey, am I allowed
to say that?
But I want to see my thenboyfriend, now husband, and I'm
like I have $5 to get me toBaltimore and it's like a half
hour drive and back then the gaswas only a dollar a gallon.
So I got me five gallons andgot me there and back to school,
(09:43):
back to college.
So I remember the struggle wasreal.
I was working only making like$7 an hour and it was hard, you
know, and I didn't have familyto give me money.
I mean no offense to you.
You know it's um.
Everybody has different familymembers that you know.
(10:04):
Now I can, now my daughter isbenefiting from my success.
So she's like I need some money.
I'm like, okay, you know, butback then I didn't have that, so
it was hard and but I figuredit out to go see my, my
boyfriend at the time.
You know what I mean those werepriorities for me.
Vanessa (10:14):
Well, obviously, obviously it worked out, yeah.
Shay (10:19):
I was investing in Nathaniel back then.
Vanessa (10:21):
Yeah, yeah, and you know, and to preface this too so
my grandfather would give me$100 a month when I was in
college and he would do that ifthere was a big if, if I would
come home on the weekend, everyweekend, and give my grandmother
a pedicure.
That was the rule.
Shay (10:39):
Oh, that was beautiful yeah.
Vanessa (10:40):
That's right.
I remember you telling me that,okay, well, hey, that was worth
it.
Shay (10:42):
And then you got to create memories and spend time, so he
was going way more than justpaying you.
Vanessa (10:48):
So he was buying my time in a lot of ways, but I
would have come home anyway,because they were always so
special to me.
But it was a way for us to bondtogether and for him to help me
, without him just givingspecial to me.
But it was a way for us to bondtogether and for him to help me
without him just giving it tome, which is great too to be
able to to, you know, earn whatyou have.
So, yeah, yeah, but that wassomething that we would do.
But, you know, we need to knowthat we need to seek God's
(11:09):
guidance, even for simple moneymatters, even those little
things.
We can have those conversationswith him.
He is not going to turn us away.
And we can have those quicklittle conversations that some
people say you're just having aconversation with yourself, but
you're talking to God, and youcan have these conversations and
talk about the purchases thatyou're going to make, and should
(11:30):
I do this now or should I wait,because he will give you an
answer if you're willing to hearit?
So I think those are some ofthe big things we need to do
every day is just make that partof just our whole purchasing
process.
Just take a second, spend timewith him, use the gifts that he
has given us to honor him everyday?
Shay (11:51):
Yeah, just like you pray before a meal, why not pray
before a purchase, right?
When you're out there shopping,thanking God before and after
and during the process, thatyou're able to pay, and if
you're not, then you're like God.
I know you're going to providefor me as I need it, and maybe
you just didn't need that item,right, or maybe you are
struggling, you don't have themoney and you know.
But God will come through andfind a way you know, and moving
(12:12):
forward with just seeking thatnatural high of financial
stewardship.
I mean joy comes fromglorifying God with our finances
.
It really does.
I mean when you, if you'regiving to a religious
institution, you're giving to acharity, or you're just helping
a family member or yourself, orI mean it's just, it's such a
glory, glorifying thing for God.
God wants us to glorify him,but it's, it's and um, it makes
(12:36):
you feel good in the process too, right that you're able to give
, and we talk about that a lotand giving and how it makes you
feel, um, yeah it's just abeautiful thing and it's not
supposed to always be easy.
Vanessa (12:47):
That's the other thing about this.
It's supposed to be a sacrificeand it's supposed to be hard.
And we're supposed to feel it,because I think sometimes, when
we do feel it, it helps usrecognize what we do have even
more.
Shay (12:58):
Yeah, exactly Because all of this, you know, the money
that you have alone, happinessthat comes from that, the money,
the glory and the high that youget from God surpasses that is
what I'm trying to say.
So it's a better feeling.
Yeah, you might be able to buya pair of shoes or a house or a
car or whatever you want to be,but who's there for you during
(13:21):
that?
I mean outside of familyfriends?
God is, he's there and there'snothing like the glory and the
filling of God and the joy thathe gets from knowing that he's
going to take care of you.
And yeah, it's just, itsurpasses all of that, Whatever
you can buy with money.
You know, and they said, eventhe richest people are not happy
right, or they?
(13:42):
don't have the joy that we thinkwe are.
You know, if you would saybuddy money by happiness, it can
, but it does not buy joy, whichis different.
Vanessa (13:50):
It does.
Yeah, you know, and I talkabout my grandpa all the time
and you know, giving is his joyand he didn't get there
overnight.
That didn't just happen.
That is something that God hasput within him and when you see
that in him and you see this joythat comes from giving away the
last you know $50 he has forthe month, it is true and it is
real, and it is amazing to seejust how he beams and how bright
(14:14):
he is when this happens andit's like this is who I want to
be and this is what I want inlife and it's like, as long as
his basic needs are met, he ismore than good and he has more
than he could ever want.
Shay (14:24):
So there is true joy in glorifying him with all this it
really is and you know, puttingGod first in finances has really
even led me to blessings oreven joy.
I know we were in Turkey.
I was struggling at the time ofjust trying to pay credit cards
and student loans which,honestly, I didn't start paying
until years later because I wasjust like I have to defer and
(14:46):
forbear these.
I just can't afford these rightnow.
And I was really struggling.
So I remember, just likestruggling with the tithing
which every few years I strugglewith should I tithe or how much
should I tithe and we've talkedabout that in previous episodes
.
But I remember going to thealtar and just really praying to
God that I need help and Iremember that I got like a
(15:09):
$2,000 reimbursement orsomething from, I think, from my
student loans or something likethat.
I don't think it was added into.
I think I might've paid toomuch, or something from, I think
, from my student loans orsomething like that.
I don't think it was added into.
I think I might've paid toomuch or something.
I don't remember what it was, Ijust cause it was like 20 plus
years ago.
But I remember just being sohappy like and telling everybody
like I just got this money inand it was like I just continued
(15:29):
to give and I just rememberbeing so just happy but just
thanking God and praising himfor coming through at that time
and he's never failed me, he'salways come through.
I have to have a side note thatwhen I was working at the Airman
and Family Readiness Center, atthat time somebody from the
church was like I saw you at thealtar and I was like telling
(15:51):
you and our manager like shameon people, don't shame people.
I mean, we go to the altar tospend time with God, not for
somebody to show up at work andsaying you know why were you at
the altar?
That's none of your business.
But hey, I was practicing and Iput that in practice, that you
know the altar doesn't have tobe at church.
It could just be you getting onyour neck, on your knees and
(16:13):
your house on your face and yourhouse and being like Lord, I
turned this over.
You absolutely loves that.
We call on him in our weakesttimes.
And you know, and it was justsuch a beautiful thing the
scripture for today, actually,Vanessa, is 2 Corinthians 12, 10
, which is so funny becausewe're in Corinthians and we're
(16:33):
in episodes a day and the verseof the day in the Bible app is
that is why, for Christ's sakes,I delight in weakness and
insults and hardships andpersecutions and in difficulties
, for when I am weak then I amstrong and I'm like oh my God.
So even today, just in thismoment, how everything is coming
(16:53):
through, god is speaking to ussaying you know, even in your
weakest moment, yourpersecutions and your hardships
and your difficulties, god ishere.
Because you're in your weakmoments, you have to.
Who else are you going to turnto?
I mean, I'm sure people haveother options and vices.
I mean, I think I recently Iturned to some bottle of wine
just to get through some hardstuff which I haven't done in a
while.
but you know, turning to God, Imean it's just a blessing, okay.
Vanessa (17:17):
Completely, yeah, yeah, and you know, and when we see
that and we can recognize thatwith other people, it's obvious
when it's happening Like we cansee when that's happening with
other people, and I think we seethat spark that's ignited too.
And I think sometimes we get alittle jealous and we want that
too, which is not a bad thing towant that as well.
We just have to realize whereit comes from.
Shay (17:38):
Yeah, and blessing others with our finances creates a
chain reaction and joy and caninspire others to give.
And I know, as I try to givemore, I try not to boast about
it but people are like you knowhow, are you innate, blessed by?
You know, or have all the stuffyou have?
First of all, heart, not firstof all God, number one I was
gonna say first of all hard.
You know, hard work that'snumber two.
Like we, we sacrifice, we haveself control, we discipline to
(18:03):
get where we are.
But also giving.
You know, my Nate, my Nate, myhusband Nate is very giving to
his mom and his family and hisfriends and work.
He's just like I'm buying lunchall the time.
He's just, he's just who he is.
He just loves to give and Iknow we have been blessed
because of that.
So it's definitely a chainreaction, it's definitely
contagious right To give peopleto see that.
Vanessa (18:26):
And that brings into play this whole, you know,
self-gratification over purpose,which to me kind of equates to
instant gratification versusdelayed gratification.
Shay (18:37):
Yeah.
Vanessa (18:37):
Because for us, with that self-gratification, we want
to see that right now.
We want to see things happen.
You know, the second it happens, or we put the money into it,
or whatever we do with it.
But a lot of times, you knowthis, this purpose takes time to
see the purpose or to curatethe purpose.
So, it does take some time andwe have to be patient with God
(18:58):
and ourselves as well with this,and we have to give it time,
and I think a lot of us werejust not quite there yet that we
can recognize that.
But we need to learn to view ourresources as ways and
opportunities to help others aswell, and I think that can help
with that purpose.
If that is our true purpose inlife is to be there for others
(19:18):
and to make someone else's day alittle bit better, to help them
get through with whateverthey're going through, I think
that can really help with thatability to say okay, it's not
about me, it's about this, thispurpose as a whole, and being
able to do more for others.
And if I buy, you know, theseshirts from an online store
(19:39):
versus going to the mall andspending four times as much, I
can do so much more for otherswith that extra cash or with
that extra money, and I thinkthat's where we all want to get
to is that place where we putthat into our everyday practices
.
Shay (19:54):
And on the flip side, though, there are some people
that just remain selfish andjust will never change.
True, I want to be yeah, that'sthe ultimate goal, we would
think, for everybody, but that'snot the reality, right?
The reality is that some peopleare just all about self.
They want everything.
Now I see that within my ownsmall circle of friends and
family, like they're never goingto be the giving people, like
(20:15):
they'll take care of their youknow, their kids and their
spouses, but they're all aboutself.
They're not about the greatergood, and it's just what it is,
and, honestly, it's just anacceptance piece.
Where you get to, it's likewell, you will deal with God
when you deal with God.
Vanessa (20:27):
I'm not going to shame you.
Shay (20:28):
I'm not going to whatever, but not.
I mean, we meet a lot of peoplethat we service, that we help
through Crusaders for Changethat are like I just want to
take care of myself, I want togo travel, I want to buy the
nice things, I want to do thisand never talking about tithing
or giving, even if they're inthe church, and like Nope,
that's not my thing.
And honestly I'm at the pointlike whatever you do, you boo,
(20:50):
that's all we can do.
It's not our place to judge atthat point either.
Vanessa (20:55):
I think it just depends on where you are in your walk
as well.
But if your goal is to grow inyour faith and grow in your walk
, then your goal should be toget to that point where you know
we are really taking care ofGod's people.
Yeah, exactly, but you knowit's okay to plan for our
futures as well.
And it's okay to save and putmoney away and be prepared for
(21:17):
tomorrow, because that's smartand God wants us to be smart
with our funds.
But we can also do that whilegiving today and taking care of
others around us, and giveabundantly.
We can do both at the same time, and this is something that I
say to our clients.
A lot is.
I believe that we can totallysave for tomorrow and enjoy
(21:39):
today too, and I think God wantsus to do that as well.
He doesn't want us to sit hereand just suffer constantly.
That is not living and he wantsus to live.
But I think there are ways tolive and give at the same time,
while we're prepared fortomorrow.
Shay (21:54):
I mean, yeah, they say we're the smartest beings on
this earth.
Sometimes I wonder Maybe someof us?
We have the capacity to be verywise, so therefore we have the
capacity to save and invest anddo it at the same time
concurrently.
Hello people, you know, it'slike when we're meeting with our
clients they're like well, Ireally want to do this.
(22:16):
But I'm saying but invest, likeyou could do it all at once,
but only have $30 to splitbetween, okay, let's, you know
we can split that five, 10, 15,whatever.
We could do that.
But you know, just getting intothe habit of learning, that you
can live in the moment, you cansave and you can invest for the
future.
It's all possible, and then youcan glorify God all throughout
(22:39):
the process and in every step.
So there's nothing wrong withthat.
Yeah, you know, sacrificingpersonal wants to serve God's
purpose is a form of worship.
I know there's a lot of timeswhere I'm sacrificing for God
and sometimes I'm sacrificingfor myself and that's called
that self self-control, likethat delay gratification, as you
(22:59):
were talking about, Vanessa,where it's like I really want to
go to wherever and it's goingto cost a lot of money.
So I'm going to save and itmight take a couple years, but
it turns out to be one of thebest things because I saved in
that plan and I don't have touse debt or credit or I use my
credit card.
I'm able to pay it off rightaway.
So, but sacrificing thosepersonal wants for God, I mean I
(23:21):
this obedience, and there'sbeen many years where I weren't
wasn't a big obedient and Isuffered because of that.
And now you know I'm constantlyreminded what obedience, what
they say obedience is betterthan sacrifice, honestly.
So we'll be taking it a stepfurther than even sacrificing.
Being obedient to God's purpose, helping others, serving God's
(23:42):
people, that is a form ofworship that we all should
strive for.
Vanessa (23:46):
A hundred percent and, honestly, there's always a
reason why it's not the righttime, because timing is
everything.
I truly believe that, and if wesacrifice right now and we do
it later, there's a reason.
Maybe something was happeningthere that we were not supposed
to be a part of.
Maybe the cost was too great Imean, there's so many things.
Maybe we'll be missing out onsomething important that was
(24:07):
happening at home that we had noclue about.
This happened to me lastDecember.
I was supposed to go on thistrip with my, with my aunt and
my dad had gotten really sick.
But before all this had happened, I had got a new job and I was
unable to take off of workduring that time.
This is before I startedworking for Crusaders full time
(24:28):
and I told my aunt I was unableto take off of work during that
time.
This is before I startedworking for Crusaders full-time
and I told my aunt I was like Ican't go, I'm so sorry, but I
just don't have any vacationtime set, you know, ready and
able to use right now.
And little did I know when allthat happened.
The reason was my dad was goingto pass away during this
timeframe, that I was supposedto be gone.
(24:48):
And you know, in the beginningit's like, oh, I'm missing out
on this amazing trip.
I wish I could go on this tripof a lifetime, you know, a
European river cruise, like youknow bucket list kind of thing.
For me, there was a reason andI had to listen and I had to,
you know, try to not find a wayaround things and the reason was
I was supposed to be here andGod knows where we're supposed
to be and why we're supposed tobe there.
(25:09):
And if I wouldn't have listenedto that small voice that was
telling me you know what?
It's okay, don't go.
Even though everyone else waslike go make it work.
Tell them you can't.
You know you have to take thetime off.
Um, you know people gettingupset with me for not taking
time off.
Um, I would have missedsomething that I could have
never taken back.
Yeah, so there's always areason, there's always a way,
(25:31):
there's always a reason.
Shay (25:32):
I love that story.
God is working behind thescenes.
I mean he has a plan foreverything.
He knows right, and if you'reobedient, you can definitely you
know cause you could have notbeen obedient, you could have
still went on that and then youwould have been regretting that
for the rest of your life.
Right, Maybe, maybe not.
You probably would askforgiveness for yourself and
forgave yourself, but somepeople would have, you know,
like, no, I'm going on thatriver cruise and would have went
(25:53):
, and then they're like, andthen missed an opportunity to
spend those last days with theirfather or their parent and wow,
Wow.
You know my story is not, asit's not as great as that, but I
remember, I know they are butI'm like how can I top that?
I can't.
But my husband, he's alwaysbeen that great disciplinarian.
(26:16):
I guess in his own life with interms of his finances, he's
been very disciplined and Iremember he got a huge bonus
when he reenlisted in the AirForce.
We went to Omaha and I was likeI wanted to go on a cruise.
I was like I think we werecelebrating like almost 10 years
of marriage.
I was like I want to go on acruise, he's like no.
We got to buy furniture.
I was like I want to go on acruise, he's like no.
And so we get to Omaha and wehad to buy a refrigerator I mean
(26:41):
actually not a refrigerator awasher and dryer, all these
different things.
And I was so grateful for himthat we didn't spend all that
money on that because we had tobuy all of that.
And we eventually went on thecruise years later.
But I still even remember thatjust many times where you have
to listen to even people in yourlife that God is working
through, because God's likeyou're so stubborn, Shay, I'm
not, you're not even listeningto me, so I'm going to work
(27:03):
through your husband to makesure that you're you know
sacrificing things.
So and I thank God for myhusband with that because he's
very you know.
And also when focusing on ourspending, when the focus of our
spending is God, you're releasedfrom materialism.
And that damn Amazon's got mebeing very materialistic Excuse
(27:24):
me, I almost cussed that effingamazon is so beautiful but so
devilish at the same time.
And I think there's like adocumentary that's about to come
out on netflix dealing with thescience of it all and even how
they, they design everything.
It gets you going and wants youto put things in a cart.
(27:44):
I mean, it's a science, likethey're literally taking
advantage of us and we can talkabout it another episode.
But I was just like like, oh myGod, materialism.
So to me I've had to reallylike God, like let me just put
things in a cart and then I'llyou know once every other week.
Now I used to be like once aweek, now it's like every other
week.
I'll go back and from with God,instead of sitting in a bed and
(28:05):
talking to God.
I'm on Amazon, so like I needto be released of that, and
focusing on God is where howyou're releasing yourself from
that.
Vanessa (28:18):
Thank you, edis, though I'm with you, but I will tell
you, amazon does invest a lot ofmoney in their employees, so
that should make you feel alittle better, know, but still
that's just crazy.
Shay (28:28):
Well, this has been a great episode.
Vanessa (28:30):
Any final thoughts, you know, I would just say take the
small steps and be thankful forwhat you have and be thankful
for those little things andthose little moments.
And if you start with that, theother things are going to come.
But if you just take a secondand just thank God for the
blessings he gives you and justremember that somebody else
would be so happy to be in yourspot, I think it's going to help
(28:53):
everybody just be able to givea little bit more and be
thankful for what they have Amen.
Shay (28:58):
I love that and don't ask so.
Thank you for joining us today.
I'll call as well A big thankyou for listening to this
episode.
We hope you found today's chatabout the intersection of
religion and money insightful.
We would love to hear yourfeedback.
Hit that subscribe button orfollow the podcast and please
feel free to leave us a review?
Vanessa (29:18):
Yes, and for the latest Yahweh's money content, visit
us at www.
crusaders4change.
org or find us anywhere youlisten to podcasts.
Until next time, stayfinancially fit and spiritually
inspired.
Shay (29:32):
And remember it's always better Yahweh's way.
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