Yahweh’s Money®️: The Crossroads of Religion & Money

Handling Wealth with Grace and Dignity

• Shay Cook & Vanessa McNelley • Season 3 • Episode 71

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Have you ever pondered the delicate dance between faith and finances? Join Shay Cook and Vanessa McNelley as they embark on a heartfelt exploration of how to steward wealth with grace in this episode of Yahweh's Money. They promise to share invaluable insights from biblical principles, particularly 1 Timothy 6:17-19, urging you to anchor your hope in God rather than fleeting riches. This episode uncovers the transformative power of humility, generosity, and the true essence of wealth management as a divine gift meant to enrich lives and honor the Creator.

In a world that often equates possessions with personal worth, they take you on a journey that values experiences and relationships above material goods. Drawing from their own backgrounds, marked by scarcity and the temptation to hoard, they reveal the liberation found in mindful and selective buying. Their conversation extends to public figures, like pastors, navigating the murky waters of generosity versus extravagance. Discover personal stories about transitioning from designer acquisitions to embracing simplicity, highlighting the peace and fulfillment found in such choices.

Embrace the joy of simplicity and gratitude in everyday life. They explore the art of maintaining an organized space and the wisdom behind purposeful travel. Learn how wealth can be wielded as a tool for positive influence—whether in community efforts or personal acts of kindness. By making mindful choices, we can create meaningful experiences that enrich not only our lives but also the lives of those around us, using our blessings to glorify God and impact the world positively.

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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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Music by:
Lamonte Silver - Owner of essentialmusicclub.com | Previously by ROA - roa-music.com

Shay:

Ever felt those awkward vibes when religion and money come up? You're not alone. Welcome to Yahweh's Money, the podcast where we tackle the crossroads of faith and finance. I'm Shay Cook, an Accredited Financial Counselor, and the CEO and founder of Crusaders for Change LLC.

Vanessa:

And I'm Vanessa McNelley, Accredited Financial Counselor and COO of Crusaders for Change. Join us on our journey as we discuss topics like tithing saving and conquering debt through religious perspectives. Let's get started.

Shay:

Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of Yahweh's Money. Oh wow, I'm excited to talk about this one, Vanessa, oh my God, yeah.

Vanessa:

I know. Well, there's a lot to this, and I think it's one of those topics. It's like you want to talk about, but you don't want to talk about it too Exactly.

Shay:

Yeah, Vanessa and I were just having a conversation offline about what this is going to look like, so we're going to let God lead the way, so what?

Shay:

are we talking about today. We're going to be discussing the topic of handling wealth with grace and dignity, oh my God. So if God has blessed you with wealth, how do you use it wisely and how can you balance enjoying life, helping others and staying humble? Okay, that part, oh my God. In this episode we'll explore practical tips and biblical wisdom on stewarding wealth responsibly, honoring God and inspiring others through your example. So let's unpack what it means to handle wealth with grace and dignity, in a way that glorifies God. So in 1 Timothy 6, 17 through 19, it says command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share. I mean, that says a lot right there. We don't, you're not supposed to put our arrogance and our hope in wealth, because it's not certain y'all, but God is certain Exactly.

Vanessa:

Exactly, yeah, and let's put this whole wealth thing into perspective too. So, I was on TikTok recently and a little video popped up and it was a guy standing there and there were two bubbles above him and it's one said you know, would you choose a million dollars or to live better than 90% of the rest of the world? And he picked the 90% and nothing in his life changed. And that's the reality that as Americans even the poorest of our poor we're living better than 90% of the rest of the world.

Vanessa:

So we are wealthy compared to others. And we don't see that. And you know people think, oh, I don't have the newest iPhone, or I don't have X, yz, guess what? You have a phone. You have food on your table.

Shay:

You know, it may not be lobster every night, but just like in perspective, we are so much better off than a lot of people. We are, yeah, my God, and God is good through it all, like even for those nine, 10 other people, that or the 90 that aren't, you know, god is looking out for them too. But us americans, man, we're pretty, we're pretty blessed over here. We got a lot of craziness going on, but, man, we are rich, we are spirit and culture and in wealth and money, compared to so many others, and that's why I think we're so wasteful.

Vanessa:

We have so much yeah, yeah, and I think you know first and foremost, we have to really remember that wealth is a gift from God and it's something that we're not just earning, you know. So we need to be grateful, we need to not be arrogant with all of this, um, but we need to be able to use, to use this for his honor, and not just be buying, you know, lamborghinis to fill our driveway.

Shay:

Yeah, it ain't just for us, it's for God. I really believe that wholeheartedly. I mean, my dad used to say like if God wants you to be rich, you will be. Because he was like if he, if he made me rich, I'd probably be out smoking crack code and can't hear something. Because you see the people like they get really rich and then they're like oh, I got everything, like everybody's good, all right, I guess all I can do is do crazy sex stuff or drugs yeah, well, yeah, and I think it's one of those things too.

Vanessa:

It's a lot of times it's people who've never had anything yeah, well, that's all of a sudden, it's like you have this abundance and you don't know how to handle the abundance. So it's. You know you don't know what to do with it, and you have all these these people in your ears too that are telling you what to do and everybody wants a piece of it so, and it's not the right people who want a piece of that action or that, that pie that you're getting.

Shay:

You hear that a lot from athletes. I remember hearing Charles Barkley said I think he went into the league and NBA at 19 and he had millions of dollars thrown at him and he was like I didn't know what to do. And I think he was just out there spending it crazy on parties. And I might be lying, I don't know Charles Barkley, but I remember him saying that he didn't spend it wisely. And you're 19. And you're 19, I mean especially since our schools don't teach financial management or financial literacy anyway, but you know so that.

Shay:

And then who knows what he learned growing up? But then you know you got all this money coming in and you're like, oh my God, I'm 19. Like your brain, like my daughter said, your brain is not even developed until you're 25. So you're out here making irrational, irresponsible decisions, and then you know when God is trying to give you a gift. You know, and a lot of people regret that because they're like, oh man, I could have really set myself up for the future, even though I know he got the opportunity to do it later, right, um, but yeah, that's crazy, yeah yeah, and don't they say most lottery winners have like they've, they've run through all their money was a year or two afterwards, if that some of them is sooner yeah, and we.

Vanessa:

You know, with the wealth comes responsibility and we need to use that money to bless others and advance the kingdom. And that can come in so many different forms and fashions. And that doesn't mean you don't have to, you can't do nice things for yourself. That does not mean that at all. It's okay to have nice things, it's okay to want nice things. You just can't, you know, covet something somebody else has. I was about to say it's okay to want nice things. You just can't, you know, covet something somebody else has.

Shay:

I'm about to say it's not supposed to be an idol, exactly, idolize it, yeah right.

Vanessa:

So there's a way to do this, and you know, and to do this responsibly and you know something that I was reading before we met today 18 of americans are considered millionaires. Did you know that? That's more than I thought? Yeah, 18% of Americans are.

Shay:

Oh, yes, I've heard that because the billionaires are like one or the top echelon are like lower than 1%, but there's a lot of millionaires, so there's a lot of thousandaires out there too. Yeah.

Vanessa:

And 6.25%. So six and a quarter percent of people are considered multimillionaires.

Shay:

Oh, you mean like 10 or a hundred million.

Vanessa:

More than more than one? Yeah, More than one yeah. Multimillionaires, but that's because of net worth and the cost of houses and all that stuff too, that we have to take into account.

Vanessa:

But when you think about it that way, it's like, okay, wow, that's like. I mean, that's like a fifth of our population. That's crazy to me to think. A fifth of the people out there are considered millionaires. So there are a lot of people walking around out there that have an abundance, or should have an abundance, depending on where they're living that you know are probably doing some responsible things with it because they're not being flashy with their funds. So that's something to think about too. I was always told growing up by my parents that you know, millionaires who keep their money are the ones that you don't even know that they have it.

Vanessa:

I've always talked about that a lot in all my circles. Yeah, you don't there's millions.

Shay:

Well, I'm sure in every state, especially in Georgia and Maryland. There's millionaires everywhere, like literally, and you know, you don't know. I mean cause they got the same house shooting cars and like they don't, you don't know. Yeah.

Vanessa:

They drive the same old pickup truck. They eat at McDonald's you know, they buy their clothes at Walmart, all the things that the rest of us do.

Shay:

And it's like you have no idea. And that is you know.

Vanessa:

To me that is, that's something to achieve is to get to that point where material items mean so little to you you could care less. You could absolutely care less about that. You know, and that's I think people like. That is how you know you, you you come from this place of okay. Well, we see this one side where you know wealth can lead to pride and false security and this abundance, and you know people are always buying everything, and I mean gosh, I mean there are people who buy tigers because they can you know, so.

Vanessa:

so we have, we see this one side of it and it's just a splashy, like I can do it all, I'm going to do it all. And then you have this other side and it's like I don't want to fall into that trap of that first step you know, of of having a tiger.

Shay:

That's a lot of money to take care of that tiger too, exactly.

Vanessa:

Exactly, but you know it does. It leads to this pride and people who you know. Talk about what they have a lot. I'm sure you've run across those people and it's like they talk about them and and these nice things they have, and it's all about me me, and that is such a turnoff.

Shay:

I don't know. I haven't met my own family, so, yeah, I'm looking at them like, but it's so funny is that those people too, they may be wealthy, but some of them, a lot of them are not right so, and so they're talking about all this stuff and it's like you need to. Didn't you just borrow some money from me?

Vanessa:

You're playing the part though.

Shay:

Yeah, well, I mean, yeah, it's fake.

Vanessa:

Fake it till you make it, shay, fake it till you make it. But you're right, yeah, people have these aspirations of being, you know, being a Kardashian, being a Carter, being whoever you look up to, and we do that to ourselves because we're always watching these things. But the reality of it is that you know, the people who are wealthy that we should be looking up to. We're not going to find them in those places. We're not going to find them there at all because we need to learn humility.

Shay:

We need to learn to stay grounded in our faith.

Vanessa:

I mean this can even be something that we see with. You know, pastors in megachurches.

Shay:

You were just reading it out of my head.

Vanessa:

I was just thinking that, right, I mean, I used to actually work for a pastor, you know, who had a you know a television ministry and you know he lived in a very nice townhouse, you know, did not have an abundance of things, he had a nice car, but he had a nice car versus eight nice cars and did things very differently. And it was really nice to see that, because he shouldn't be punished or penalized in my mind for doing well, because most of his wealth came from other things. It didn't come from being a pastor.

Shay:

Yeah, a lot of time they're writing books and doing exactly.

Vanessa:

And having a you know, a television show and all these other things. But he shared that wealth without hesitation.

Shay:

And that's what matters. God wants to know our heart. You don't care about your bank accounts, people. You want to know what you're doing with that.

Vanessa:

Yeah, and we see the other side of that, with pastors a lot too, where it's just, you know, okay, they've not paid their taxes in 10 years, or you know, they, they have 14 houses across the States, or whatever it might be. But it's nice to see that other side and that's who we should be leaning towards to learn to learn those lessons from, and we always have to remember that those earthly possessions are temporary.

Shay:

And they're going to go away, and they're going to go away Yep, they're going to go away.

Vanessa:

And something, too, that I saw growing up as well. So I think, when you live in a family where you have family members who never had anything, they tend to hoard. Yeah, and I don't know if you've experienced that of course I have.

Shay:

Oh my goodness, my dad was a hoarder.

Vanessa:

Um, yes, he was a hoarder and he grew up in, you know, in um government housing, so in the projects, with a single mom, two other siblings. My grandmother worked night shift at Levi's and she was literally a zipper puller so she would pull the zipper closed on Levi jeans like every night all night long and ended up losing her fingernails because she did that too often. But you know, didn't have a car, lived in subsidized housing. You know he used to joke with his sister about how, you know, they couldn't even afford like tomato soup and sandwiches at night. So you know, coming from that place, of not having anything and then all of a sudden you have more and you hoard and you have these possessions and you put all your faith in your, you know everything you have into these things and it's so easy to get caught up in that.

Vanessa:

But the reality is is that means nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, and that's so hard to get people like that to see it is so hard.

Shay:

Yeah, it's a mindset issue, right? So yeah, that's crazy, and you know. But also I mean living modestly. But you want to enjoy your blessings too. So be mindful of extravagant purchase. Just don't go overboard.

Shay:

I know, when I was in my twenties and I was starting to move up and make more money, I was all about buying the purses and the shoes. No, I have to disclaimer. It's nothing wrong with that. Like Vanessa said countless times, you want to buy nice things. You can't.

Shay:

I realized I didn't want to be spending all this money on coaches and Michael Kors and Doody and Burps. I just didn't want to keep doing that because I was like, ugh, no, I'd rather just buy a really nice one and keep it for a year and didn't buy another one. I just I didn't want to keep buying over and over and over. I just I didn't. It didn't make sense to me because I wanted a nice car, I wanted a nice house. To me, the money made more sense that way. So trying to be mindful of my expenses and experiences are very important to me too. So I like me and my husband like to spend our money mostly on our trips, like that's where, that's where I like to put our money. I know some people rather have the, you know, even though Nate has his shoes and his bourbon and all that. But we still, we prioritize what's important to us in terms of extravagance Right.

Vanessa:

Right and I had to learn the opposite of that. So, cause I was always like, okay, Walmart sells, you know, Tarjay on a good day, like that kind of thing. So I had to learn that it was okay to have nice things, because I would see a handbag like oh, so beautiful. And my mom actually had to teach me that and she was always like it's okay to have nice things, it is a okay to have something nice. You just can't have everything.

Vanessa:

You want all the time so if there's something you really like, it's okay to have two or three really nice handbags. They're going to last you forever. You know that that there's a trade-off with that too, and it took me forever, until I was in my mid thirties, to realize that she's right. It's okay to have something nice. It's okay, I don't have to be ashamed for wanting that Exactly.

Vanessa:

You know so but you have to do it in moderation and you know so so everybody has to learn, like I think, we're all on these extreme ends, whichever side, it is you know, but I was on the other extremity, where it was like okay, well, I'm going to get the $5 purse that might break in two weeks because it was made in China. But I went through that stage too, though.

Shay:

Yeah, so you have to learn that it's okay in some circumstances, as long as you're just not going overboard with things, so true, and finding a balance between enjoying God's blessings and avoiding the access or the excess that could alienate others, right Cause some people do. They'll feel that way, I know I wonder. You know, my husband and I went through this when our house, you know, you see my house? I didn't even did you see my old house, you didn't, but it was similar and I just um, you know, I just like nice things, I like to decorate and design, and some people don't feel comfortable in that because they're like what do you think they are? You know that kind of thing.

Shay:

And some people haven't come back to our house because they and's like we didn't invite you over here to make you feel like that or to alienate you. It's just, I like a clean house, a nice house. There's nothing wrong with that, that is not. And actually a lot of stuff I buy is not really expensive. So you know, so you're, you're just going off of what you see and not again that hard work and that struggle that came with all of that. But you know, some people are, you know, can feel alienated from what you have.

Vanessa:

Well, and there's that intentional alienate and alienate. I can be talking there.

Shay:

So yeah.

Vanessa:

So there's this, the intentional, versus not trying to do so, cause you were not trying to do that with anyone. Not at all you weren't trying to alienate anyone from that situation, but there are people who like to be flashy and show off and and they're like you know, look at this and I spent this much on that and that. To me, that is where there is just this Nope, let's, let's stop this. I'm not, I don't want to be around somebody like that I don't want to be around nobody either.

Shay:

It's annoying, exactly.

Vanessa:

But if it's unintentional, um, that's a hard place to be too. I remember growing up I had a friend come over and she told me the next day at school that her mom sat in the car and cried in front of her house because we lived in a real house and she lived in a trailer oh, that's right, you told me the story and it broke my heart as a little girl because I was like you know, I don't understand.

Vanessa:

I didn't understand because I had friends who lived in trailers and I would go to trailers and sometimes the trailers were nicer than my house.

Shay:

Yes, they are.

Vanessa:

They can be my best friend, her parents had one and I was like she has like a soaking tub and then there's a jet tub over here and I'm like I want that, I want to live here.

Vanessa:

But you know, I think it's one of those situations where, if you are truly humble, people will see that and they're going to see that you're not trying to, you know, to show off or to be in that place, it's just, you know, I think sometimes people feel that because they feel ashamed or embarrassed about how they're spending their own money too.

Shay:

Exactly. It's their own feelings they got to deal with and work out.

Shay:

Yeah, and you know, we can also model contentment for others, especially our family and kids. So having that just satisfaction around them and just not, like you're saying, being flashy and being humble, we can model that for our family and say, yes, we have a nice house or car. I always use those examples because those are usually the most expensive things that you buy and then excuse me and then, but I also know that God, first of all, this came from God. Second of all, my husband and I worked hard for this. Third of all, we take care of it, because I think that's a big piece that's missing.

Shay:

When I was cleaning my and I'm going to say this, and I was going to share it with a family member the other day, but I didn't want to offend her, but I was realizing, instead of watching a bunch of TV, this weekend I took care of my house, which I obviously. I do that because I love to clean, I love to, you know, but I was clean. I cleaned all 22 windows, like literally use just cleaning and cleaning. And as I'm cleaning and listening to music and talking to God, I'm like this is what he wants us to do when he blesses with something he wants us to take care of it and then guess what?

Shay:

It lasts longer and then you don't have to go buy another one like right away because it's not breaking out. Like that's why we get on my daughter all the time. My husband, I'm like go get your damn excuse my language car wash, because that's she really doesn't believe it. I'm like, dude, you ain't washed your car in like a year. Like to me, that's disrespectful and many reasons, but it's not showing that you, you care for your stuff and your my stuff. I have stuff from 20 30 years old because I take care of myself. I really believe cleanliness is next to godliness. It shouldn't have a bunch of dust and dirtiness because if you don't clean your stuff, it starts, starts to deteriorate. I know this to be true. So anyway, I'm going to have to hand it to you.

Shay:

So I was saying modeling that behavior and showing people that I care about my stuff, and I think that speaks more than even how much something costs in my house or when they're around me. They know I care about it because I take care of it, and so to me that's what God wants us to do.

Vanessa:

And if you're modeling that to your children or your siblings or whatever that might be they're going to learn that. Okay, I need to respect things I need to respect these items and respect your items too because you do take care of things and you know they do last. You're not just buying a new one every other week. You know Exactly and I know you do that with your stuff.

Shay:

You and TJ, like you guys, take good care. I could just tell you're those kinds of people, but I know you are. I've never seen TJ's house, but I know y'all are clean and to me it's not only to enjoy the clean, but there's a reason why you should be cleaning your stuff. And it's just showing up Because you're thankful. You are thankful, yes, you're thankful. And so, cleaning those windows, I'm like, oh, my god, it's such a beautiful thing to have all these windows of fresh air and sunlight. And I don't know. I was just honored to clean god's windows this weekend.

Shay:

So this is weird, I know. But yeah, and also, you should choose quality over excess, right. One nice vehicle instead of a fleet. Now, I know there's some people that got eight, nine, 20 cars. That ain't never going to be me, but that's how I feel about shoes and stuff, even though I have a husband has a lot of them too. That's just me personally. Again, no offense to those that do that. I don't need a bunch of stuff, I just need one or a couple of nice things, right?

Vanessa:

nice things, right, yeah, so yeah, you know I've seen this so many times because you know I am like I'm from redneck city and a lot of people with my background we do that. We buy all these cars and we just kind of let them sit and deteriorate in your driveway or on your, you know, propped up on blocks, you know that kind of thing.

Vanessa:

And my sibling is the same way. It's like one of those situations where you can drive by his house and you can count the number of cars and I mean at one point he had to have a piece of property to put the cars on. Oh wow, I think there were like 30, 40 vehicles that he bought at an auction one time that he was going to sell. That has never sold and I think it's been like 20 years now.

Vanessa:

But you know, having all these vehicles and I'm like I would much rather have one nice something as to have, you know, 20, 30, 40, because I'm always like you can only drive one car at a time. I mean, that's just the reality of it, so you can't use them both at the same time.

Shay:

That's how I feel about underwear socks. That's how I feel about clothes and shoes. Like you know, nate has like a hundred. I got like five. I mean I actually have a lot more than that when it comes to nice shoes. But when it comes to my everyday shoes, I have like three pair of Skechers and like two pair of boots and like two splats Like I literally can name what shoes. Him and Alana got more shoes than me Because I'm like I don't need all of that. Now I have dress shoes. I do have a little more of those, but I mean I don't even wear those because they're heels and since the pandemic, I don't really wear heels anymore.

Vanessa:

We have a saying in our house. My mom's one of her really good friends, sharita. She used to always say and TJ says this to me all the time, but it's kind of a joke that we say now, but there's so much truth in it it's like you might need new, but you don't need more, and she lived her life by that. She still does. Like you may need new, but you don't need more. So anytime she would get something new, she replaced it.

Shay:

So me too. That's what I do with my sketchers. I wear my sketchers down to the last minute, and then I'll see my husband makes fun of me because I wear sketchers. But I'm just gonna say snoop dogg and martha stewart. And then we also should travel with purpose, right, I always said that this is. And Martha Stewart wear Skechers. Now it's cool to wear Skechers. Now it's cool to wear Skechers. And then we also should travel with purpose, right? I always said that this is what I love to put our money into, vacations to see God's creations, whether they're mountains, pretty things. Travel is a great time for you know, making memories with your loved ones and, just you know, spending quality time with God. You know, like to me, my favorite places go to the beach, because it's relaxing, it's beautiful, but it's also something super spiritual spiritual about going to the body of God's water, like I don't know.

Vanessa:

Nothing beats it but going into God's water, I'm with you, yeah, yeah, travel has always been important to me and I've always preferred experiences over, you know, having a physical item, and it's just because, yeah, things break they. You know, having a physical item and it's just because, yeah, things break they.

Shay:

You know, get old they're not relevant anymore.

Vanessa:

whatever that might be Same thing. But those relationships and those bonds that are built on those trips and the lives you can touch on that trip, that's another thing. You know, that's something that I try to do is if I see somebody who needs something and I'm out and about and I'm not at home, I'm going to help if I can. And it's usually one of those situations where, if I don't use the budgeted money for lunch that day, there's an opportunity that presents itself later of somebody who needs that extra money.

Vanessa:

And that is always amazing to me when stuff like that happens. So you know you can always travel with purpose that way too, to do the good that you can do when you're there.

Shay:

Yeah, that's awesome.

Vanessa:

Yeah, you know, and we always have to think about wealth too, as it provides a platform to influence others positively. So we can use our money to help with. You know, somebody may want us to be their mentor. We may need to go into the community and start a program, do something like that. We can invest locally. There's so many things that we can do with that money that can help others and that is huge to be able to do that and be able to bless somebody else.

Shay:

Yeah, exactly, just be generous and inspire others, right, do that? I mean I love mentoring, I love helping the community. I am definitely prior consider myself a community activist and also just a servant, and however way I can help, I know every, almost every job I've ever had has been in some kind of servant role. I mean us as financial counselors. We're serving people, helping them with their financial counseling, their account of finances. So I, that's serving Right. So I, just I, you're right, definitely. And as I make more, I try to give more.

Vanessa:

Yeah, yeah, I always tell the story about Mr Dyer, who gave my parents their very first loan and the bank wouldn't give them a loan. Um, because you know, my parents were just two. You know normal people. My dad worked in a copper mine, my mom worked for the city. He didn't have anything extra. He believed in other people and wanted to see other people thrive and build things in a community that needed resources. So he loaned my parents money to build their first movie theater that they had been wanting to have their own business, and they were like, okay, we can keep our day jobs, which we need to fund our life, and then work at night there.

Vanessa:

And you know, mr Dyer, he lived to be 103. And I remember, you know, we would have conversations and I would take food to him and do different things and he was always like you know, let me pay him, like you pay for my college. Basically, like you know, because of you and your gifts and wanting to see other people thrive, this community has gone from not having much to having so many things that want, you know, to bring tourists into town and people to move in, and and one person has made such a difference, and he could have been, you know, an ebenezer scrooge and just kind of kept it to himself.

Vanessa:

But he didn't do that. He wanted to see other people thrive and I think if we have those funds and we're truly using those funds to um, to build the kingdom, we'll see that and we want to be a part of that too Exactly, yeah, yeah. And, like I said, wealth isn't for hoarding, it's for serving.

Shay:

It really is y'all, and I know I have to learn. I mean, I'm all over the place. It might sound like it but I know sometimes I'm like man. I got this. Savings or invest in. What else can I do to help mostly people outside of family Because they got enough?

Shay:

in my mind so. And then practicing small, uninspected acts of generosity is a way to be generous. And leaving the server, for example, leaving the server an extra tip, paying for a stranger's groceries I put in here, pay it forward. I love that. When we can pay it forward right and speak volumes about this, speaks volumes about God's love. So how you're using it and again, I say, what God's really concerned about is our heart and how we're doing what we use our money for, and so that's very important. Exactly, yeah, exactly what we use our money for, and so that's very important. Exactly, yeah, exactly. And generosity generosity isn't about what you give, but the heart behind it. I already said that.

Shay:

So, kind of speaking of it. I would say, but um, it really is. And um, I would end with saying Proverbs 11, 25,. A generous person will prosper. Prosper Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. And you know, I know I was talking to somebody just a couple weeks ago about relaxing, refreshing and recharging. It's all different and you know you can refresh others by being able to share your.

Vanessa:

You know your wealth, and so, yeah, any my own thoughts I would say just remember that you don't have to give everything away.

Shay:

It's still okay to have things and to enjoy life, but give what you're called to give. Yeah, I would echo that and thank you guys again for listening and hope all is well. A big thank you for listening to this episode. We hope you found today's chat about the intersection of religion and money insightful. We would love to hear your feedback.

Vanessa:

Hit that subscribe button or follow the podcast and please feel free to leave us a review yes, and for the latest Yahweh's Money content, visit us at www. crusaders4change. org or find us anywhere you listen to podcasts. Until next time, stay financially fit and spiritually inspired.

Shay:

And remember it's always better Yahweh's way.

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Shay Cook

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