February Save to Give Challenge Update

Well, this challenge is difficult. I’m not going to lie. We are two months in and so far, I regret doing this. I know that is my worldliness talking, but it’s the truth.

I will be quick in my summary. Last month we spent $382.55 on consumables. For better or worse, we saved $618.34.  I am happy because we made our goal of spending less than $400 for consumables. Even though this is roughly a gagillion times the spending of most of the coupon bloggers that I idolize, I have to be content. Also, I’m considering that we almost NEVER eat out so we actually have to buy food for all our meals. Also, I include medicine, diapers, and anything we “use up” in this amount. I’m rationalizing; I know, but still, I think we did pretty good.  Though I guess February is the shortest month, so that probably helped.

As for matching our giving with our savings, we are $200 behind in terms of our giving matching our SAVINGS for the year.  Grrr.  (Just to clarify for a few of you that have asked, this “giving” incorporates our normal tithe and is intended to help us give beyond it. Of course, this was a better idea theoretically.)

On one hand, I know that the whole point is to challenge me to give that $200 sacrificially.

On the other hand, I am thinking “Isn’t the savings amount arbitrary anyway?  All the prices are inflated.”

And I’m thinking, “Aren’t we giving enough by giving more of our money than we’re spending? Shouldn’t it be enough that we’re tithing more than 10% of our money.”  But I’m pretty sure that the Holy Spirit is going to convict me about the use of the word “our” in those sentences.

Durn. This is tricky business.

Mainly I’m wondering where that $200 would come from.  But I guess I won’t know that until I give it away. Hem and haw. Hem and haw.  Even though I sort of resent it, I’m doing this for the accountability. Don’t forget to ask me next month if I actually did it.  I’m praying I will find out about a really compelling need that will be fun and not painful to give to.  I know. I’m selfish.  I only want to give when it is fun.

Malachi 3:10

¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

I’m really counting on this verse being true. Just being honest . . .