Financial Discipleship - the Bible on ContentmentНамуна

How much is enough – Finish Line of spending for personal lifestyle

When Jack and Lisa bought their first home, the real estate agent assumed it wouldn’t be long before the house would be on the market again. She knew that Jack was a doctor fresh out of medical school and that most young professionals upgraded to a larger home within a few years.

What she didn’t know was that Jack and Lisa had become gripped with a passion to be generous. As a result of their convictions, they resolved not to increase their lifestyle as their income rose, planning instead to give their surplus.

For example, Jack and Lisa decided to keep their modest starter home and raise their family there. They chose to purchase cars that were moderately priced and drive them for at least ten years. They invited a close friend to meet with them at the end of each year to hold them accountable by reviewing their spending and the proposed budget for the next year. This is how they decided how much is enough.

By maintaining their lifestyle boundaries, Jack and Lisa have been able to steadily increase their giving over the years. Today – even with five children – they manage to give away half of everything they earn. During their lifetimes, they are on track to be able to give away millions of dollars to help fund the work of Christ.

How much is enough – Finish Line of asset accumulation

Matthew was a successful commercial real estate developer. He and his wife Michelle served as volunteers in a ministry about which they were passionate. They sensed the Lord might want them to volunteer full time in working with this ministry sometime in the future.

With the aid of a godly financial planner, they determined how much they needed to accumulate so that the investment earnings would be sufficient for them to fund their needs – including taxes, giving, and children’s inheritances. They also factored in a set of variables – inflation, investment returns, future major purchases (such as cars), and their possible medical care needs as they grew older.

Surprisingly, they discovered that they had already accumulated enough. They decided that as long as Matthew remained in business, they would no longer receive income from the company and give away all its profits. Several years later, they transitioned from business to ministry and have been used by the Lord in a remarkable way.

How much is enough- Finish Line of lifetime spending while building a business

Pete Franklin is an extraordinarily talented entrepreneur. When he and his wife Deborah were trying to determine how much is enough, they concluded that if they could answer a second question, they would know the answer to the first.

Pete and Deborah asked themselves, “How much would the Lord want to pay us for managing the resources He’s entrusted to us?” After praying and seeking counsel from those who know them well, their answer was a fraction of the amount that they had envisioned spending on their lifestyle. This enabled them to exponentially increase their giving and invest more aggressively in the growth of their businesses.

How much is enough – How much is enough for me (us)?

Now it’s time for you to ask the how much is enough question for you and your family. Determining this is usually a journey that requires a significant amount of prayer and discussion with your spouse, family, and advisors.

(excerpt taken from Charting Your Legacy Small Group Study, Compass-finances God's way, 2017)