Do You Accept the Challenge?

The next day, Annie walked into the local bank. She could not remember the last time she had been there. But she knew that she had to start somewhere, and a bank seemed as good a place as any.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" asked an approaching man.

Annie sighed.

"I don't know. I'm pretty much a financial train wreck and just need to talk to somebody about how to fix it."

"Ah. Well, you are at the right bank. You need to talk to G.B." With a folded piece of paper in his hand, he pointed to a man sitting behind a desk.

"G.B.?"

"I believe it actually stands for George Bailey, but everyone likes to say that it stands for Generous Banker."

"Okay. That's kind of weird."

"Trust me. You'll like him. I just finished meeting with him."

Annie figured that she didn't have anything to lose at this point so she followed the man to G.B.'s desk.

"G.B., this lady needs to meet with you," the man said as he motioned Annie to sit down in front of his desk. "Thank you, Terry!" the man behind the desk said with a big, comforting grin. As Terry left, G.B.'s attention turned toward Annie.

"My name is G.B. How can I help you?"

"I know. I mean, that guy, Terry, told me your name. My name is Annie, and," she paused, "my finances are a total disaster. Actually. I feel like my life is a total disaster."

Annie didn't expect to unload all her problems on the banker. After all, she had just met him. But she told him about everything. Her bad decision-making. Her debt. Her bills. Everything. She even told him about Randall. At the end of it, tears were slowly trickling down her cheeks.

"I just feel like God has made me for something more. And I can't shake the sense that, somehow, the way I use money is holding me back. I want to make a difference, but I can't. I'm stuck."

G.B. handed her a tissue. He then began to write on a small notepad.

"You are made for something more. Your money was made for something more.

Look, God's formula for money is simple: Give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately. You will find the 'more' you are seeking in His design."

He ripped the page out of the notepad, folded the paper, and handed it to Annie.

"Here is what we are going to do. I want you to stop by every few days. We don't have to meet long, but each time I want to tell you a part of God's design for you and your money. And each time I will give you a couple of Money Challenges."

"Money Challenges?" Annie questioned. Her face went from sad to inquisitive.

"That's right, Money Challenges. Your first two are on that paper. I look forward to seeing you in a few days." He was smiling.

"Um, okay? I'll see you in a few days, I guess." She was not confident in her answer.

Annie got up and walked out the door, unsure if she would actually return. But then again, what other hope did she have?

And she was curious about what made this guy the "Generous Banker."

What's Going On Here?

What you do with your money matters. Just ask Elisabeth Dunn. She knows.

Elisabeth Dunn is a researcher interested in the relationship between money and happiness. She has spent years exploring it. Dunn and her colleagues have performed several studies trying to figure out if and when money increases happiness. The results are worth noting. Let's take a quick glance at two of the studies.

Study #1: Toddlers and Generosity

On one side of the table stands the toddler. On the other side of the table sits the brown monkey puppet, creatively named Monkey, with its "handler." Both the child and Monkey have a single, small bowl in front of them on the table. A woman in the room points out a fact that would depress any toddler: "Both you and Monkey have no treats right now."

The child notices the absence of treats. The woman in the room is correct. There are no treats.

The woman in the room suddenly "finds" eight Goldfish crackers and places them in the toddler's bowl. Shortly after, the woman in the room "finds" another Goldfish cracker and gives it to Monkey. The puppet acts like it is eating the treat. Next, the woman in the room "finds" another treat for Monkey, but this time she hands it to the toddler. She asks the toddler to give it to Monkey, and the toddler does. Monkey eats that treat as well. Finally, the woman in the room asks the toddler to give one of their Goldfish crackers to the Monkey, a sacrificial act.

And the toddler does.

Researchers repeated the same experiment with twenty-two toddlers and recorded their level of enthusiasm during each step. The results were fascinating.

Toddlers exhibited the greatest enthusiasm when they gave one of their own treats to Monkey. This was that final, sacrificial act. They experienced the greatest happiness when they gave away what was in their possession. Monkey was happy, and they were too.

Study #2: Adults and Generosity

In another experiment, adults rated their happiness level in the morning. They were then handed an envelope containing either $5 or $20. The recipients of the envelopes were given one of two instructions for the day — instructions to spend the money on themselves or instructions to spend it on others. Each of the adults did as they were instructed. Later that evening, the envelope recipients were given a call and asked, once again, to rate their happiness level. The result? Those who spent their money on others were happier than those who spent it on themselves.

Elisabeth Dunn's studies are telling us something.

But what?

It's Not Working

In the beginning, God created everything. He created the blue sky, the green grass, the yellow sun, and the black depths of the oceans. He created all the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the creatures that roam the dry land. He created man, and He created woman. And for a time, everything was good.

Why was it good?

It was good because everything operated as it should. All plants, animals, weather patterns, and humans had a very specific God-given design, and they were all functioning according to that design.

But then, sin entered the world. This sin threw off everything. Everything was no longer good. Adam and Eve decided to try something outside of God's original design, believing the lie of the Serpent. It left them broken, hurt, and unsatisfied.

So this is where we are — humans living in an imperfect world, often trying to operate in a way that goes against our original design. We try to figure out marriage apart from God. We try to figure out parenting apart from God. And we try to figure out money apart from God. Yet, we still find ourselves broken, hurt, and unsatisfied. What we thought would provide fulfillment leaves us empty.

Maybe you have had these thoughts before:

"If I could only get that raise, then I'd be happy."

"If I could only pay off that debt, then I would be free and could find satisfaction."

"If I could only buy that house and get that car."

But then you get that raise.

You pay off that debt.

You buy that house and you get that car.

But it didn't work. It didn't have the effect you thought it would. You found that the happiness you acquired was only momentary. Like the adults in Dunn's study, you are better off financially, but you aren't as happy as you should be.

Something is missing.

Something is wrong.

When Something Went Right

Late one afternoon, my wife, Sarah, came to me. With her phone in her hand, I could tell she had been texting. Her hesitant expression told me that she was about to either tell or ask me something that was out of the norm.

"I've been texting back and forth with Amy."

Amy and her husband, Larry, were good friends of ours from Florida.

She continued, "They're struggling financially. Larry hasn't been making very much at his job. They are a few months behind on their rent and other bills. And Christmas is coming up. They have no idea how they will be able to purchase any gifts for their two kids."

Larry was a hard worker, but he held a commission-only job that sometimes brought on lean times for the family. I had seen them struggle before but not like this. I could not stand the thought of them being in this situation. I hurt for them.

And I hated imagining their kids not having anything for Christmas.

"Can we help?" Sarah asked.

"How much are you thinking?"

"$1,000 for the bills and a $200 toy store gift card for the kids' Christmas."

That was a lot of money. Of course, I knew they could use it. They could actually use more. Fortunately, we had managed our money pretty well thus far in our marriage. And more importantly, I felt God tugging on my heart. We needed to do this.

"Sure. I'll pick up the gift card in the morning," I said.

Sarah smiled. I did too. I was glad we could help.

That decision brought about happiness and a satisfaction that I have found to be rare when it relates to money. I like my coffeemaker. I'm glad I bought it. I like my car. I'm glad I bought it too. But the thought of those purchases does not produce the same feeling I get when I think about using our money to help our friends in need, to give to something outside of ourselves.

So what does that tell me about money? And what can Dunn's research teach us about money? It's the same thing the Bible teaches us. You and your money are designed for something much bigger than wealth accumulation.

We are wired to use our money for something far more significant than ourselves. God has designed us (and any resources we have) to make a difference in this world.

Many people work extremely hard to manage their finances so that they can spend their money on whatever they want. They are "free." But when was the last time a financial decision conjured up feelings of rich satisfaction? When was the last time the way you handled your money provided deep, refreshing happiness?

It probably occurred when you weren't hoarding riches, but were giving them away.

Something More

I used to get the story of the widow's gift wrong. Though I knew the narrative well, my imagination gave me an incorrect image of this woman. In this story, we find Jesus sitting near the temple treasury. This is where people would stop by and drop off their offerings to God. Jesus watched as the rich dropped large amounts of money into the treasury. Certainly, God must be happy with them.

Then, Jesus watched as a poor widow came by and placed two small coins in the treasury. The Bible tells us that these coins were worth very little. As Jesus witnessed this event, He called His disciples over.

"Truly I tell you," he said. "This poor widow has put in more than all of them. For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty."(Luke 21:3–4)

So what did I get wrong? You see, I grew up in the days of Sunday school flannel graphs. (These were flannel-covered boards on which flannel character cutouts were placed to teach a Bible story.) I know some of you can relate. Inevitably, when the story of the widow's gift was told, on the board was placed a flannel lady who looked incredibly sad. She was old, hunched over, and sad. It was as if the gift she gave was an act of misery for her. I always felt bad for that flannel lady. So whenever I would read the story of the widow, I would experience a sense of pity toward her.

But 2 Corinthians 9:7 says this: "Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver."

So why would Jesus use a person who gave out of misery to illustrate giving? This is where I got it all wrong. I let the flannel graph widow influence my imagination too much. It was more likely that this woman was not grimacing but smiling, cheek to cheek. When you were around her, you probably did not sense burden. In fact, I bet she was one of the most joyful individuals in that temple area.

God designed us to be generous. And He designed us to be generous in ways that expand His Kingdom. God designed us not to be hoarders but to be conduits through which His generosity flows.

When we are generous, we get closer to God's original design for how we should operate. And when we get closer to God's original design for how we should operate, we will find ourselves more happy, satisfied, and full of purpose with not just our money, but our entire lives. Elisabeth Dunn's research tells us this. And more importantly, God tells us this.

Why do we need to manage our money well?

So that we can live with our hands wide open, ready to be generous when God calls us to do so. When we operate as God designed, by giving to advance His Kingdom, we will find greater purpose and happiness in our money.

Finding God's Design for You and Your Money

This is not just a book to help you manage your finances well for the sake of having well-managed finances. This is not just a book to help you think through debt elimination and retirement for the sake of debt elimination and retirement.

We will discuss those things because they are important, but they are not the ultimate goals. We discuss them because they are part of a much larger, more adventurous, and more satisfying goal. They are not an end, but a means to an end. I am not nearly as concerned about you being rich as I am you being enriched.

God has designed us to manage and use money in a particular way. When we align our decision-making with His design, we will find ourselves using our money for an adventure that we could never orchestrate.

Let's start looking at how we are going to get there.

Your Three-Step Formula

Sometimes, we make money too complex. We hear financial recommendations that are beyond our understanding, so we tune out. We assume that those who manage their money well are simply smarter than we are in this area, and we are doomed to a life of poor financial choices. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Over the next few chapters, we will walk through a three-step formula that can be derived from the Bible. It is not original to me — many great leaders use and teach this formula. And it is not complex, because managing our money does not have to be.

What is this three-step formula?

1. Give generously.

2. Save wisely.

3. Live appropriately.

It's that simple.

As you read this book, you will uncover what it means to give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately. You will also find a few financial guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is not only to get you financially healthy, but also to help you experience the adventure-filled, others-focused, generous life that God designed you to live.

Do You Accept the Challenge?

Who says you have to get all your finances in order before you can start developing a lifestyle of generosity? Certainly, getting financially healthy will launch you into a level of generosity that you have never been able to experience. But why not develop the pattern of generosity as you work on your financial picture? Why not start the adventure on which God designed you to be today?

At the end of each chapter, you will find the Money Challenges Annie receives.

But they aren't just for Annie. They are your Money Challenges as well.

Some require money; some do not. All challenge you to develop a lifestyle of generosity, a life that lives for something much larger than yourself. Are you ready to align yourself with God's plan for your money? Are you ready to put yourself on the path of open-handed, Kingdom-minded, generous living?

Do you accept the challenge?

If so, let's get started.

Annie looked down at the paper and saw the first challenges:

Day 1 Money Challenge:Spend time in prayer. Pray that God will give you the courage to have the discussions that need to take place and to make the decisions that need to be made. Pray that God will show you where you can be generous.

Day 2 Money Challenge:Consider what generosity has meant to you. We have all been the recipients of another's generosity. Take a moment to consider what it meant to you to be the recipient of that generosity. Answer these questions: Who gave? What did they give? How did it make you feel?

Day 3 Money Challenge:Have a generosity conversation. If you are married, this needs to be with your spouse. If you are not married, make sure it is with someone who is close to you and knows you well. Discuss God's design for money. Discuss the three-step formula. Finally, ask that person if they are willing to do the challenges with you.

It All Starts Here

* * *

Annie found herself back sitting down in front of G.B. after a few days, which made her question her own sanity.

"I did it. Well, them. I did all three of them; I did the Money Challenges," Annie said unenthusiastically.

G.B. smiled. "Great! And?"

"I had a conversation with my good friend Martha about the formula you mentioned. Which was fine. Clearly, I don't abide by it now. So that made me feel guilty."

"Do you have people in your life whom you consider generous?"

"Yes."

"How many of them are unhappy and discontent?"

"I don't know. None really. They all seem pretty happy and content."

"It's amazing what happens when the priority for our money is outward-focused.

You said that you felt like you were created for more. Remember this — God did not design us to be hoarders, but conduits through which His generosity flows."