Responsible Cash Flow

 

Scouts and Scouters face a real threat that comes with the achievement of their dreams. That is a success. Especially financial success. The sudden gain of wealth has ruined many a well-intentioned person. Just as we talked about being prepared for success, you must be prepared to handle wealth as well. Money is like fire. If managed and controlled correctly, it can do great good. If misused and allowed to go wild, it destroys everything in its path.

Allow me to point out three things all Scouts should remember about wealth:

One is that money is never meant to be used to compete with another’s lifestyles. O. Donald Olson said, “The average American is busy buying things he doesn’t want with money he doesn’t have to impress people he doesn’t like.” The Scouter, who knows how to handle wealth, never allows his or her lifestyle to run ahead of their income. They are thrifty, practical, and live a comfortable everyday life.

“If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out

almost every other area of his life.”

Billy Graham

1918-2018

Evangelist

 

Second, wealth is a blessing and should be enjoyed. I am not talking about spending it on big houses and little cars, but to be able to live a life that you want and free from the burdens of debts. Scouters who have achieved wealth should never be in debt. Scripture tells us that the debtor is a slave to the lender. Wealth allows you never to be a slave again.

Third, and the most important, wealth is the result of hard work and achievement. It comes from the service you provide to others. Never allow wealth to distract you from that. Never stop working and serving others. Henry Ford said, “Wealth, like happiness, is never attained when sought after directly. It comes as a by-product of providing a useful service.” Never make money your goal. Money in itself is useless and far too unstable. Make your goal to serve others and provide a useful product. Let wealth be the reward of your hard work, not the cause of it.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU031820 Do What Counts

Should a Scout Tithe?

 

If there is an issue that causes heated debate in the Christian Church, it is the subject of tithing. The sad thing is that there should never be a question about how much we should give to the Lord. It is all His. All we have or will have is His. A better way to think is how much is He giving to us. God does not need your money; you need to give it. This is for you and your development. It is not to support the church or keep pastors out of the poor house; it is for you and your growth. Dave Ramsey said, “I call this the great misunderstanding, the idea that we give because churches need our money.”

Scouts and Scouters learn that God provides the needs for His work and His people. However, He does not just drop money from the sky. In His great wisdom and plan, God allows His people to earn money – for some a great deal of money – and we then have the privilege of being the avenues He uses to supply the needs of others and His work. It saddens me to see believers in Jesus Christ who have been financially blessed fussing over what they owe in a tithe. I think of the words of the great John Wesley, who said, “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”

“God doesn’t need us to give Him our money. He owns everything.

Tithing is God’s way to grow Christians.”

Adrian Rogers

1934-2005

Pastor

 

As we review our finances, the tithe should be the first thing we account for. God blesses those who bless Him. Scouts learn you do not give to get from God or to win His favor. His love was never and will never be, based on the amount you give. Again, there is a principle being taught here. It is a character issue for Christian. Want to know where your heart is? Look at how you deal with money. Henry Ford pointed out, “Money doesn’t change men, it merely unmasks them. If a man is naturally selfish, or arrogant, or greedy, the money brings it out: that’s all.”

As a Scout, you must understand that the tithe is not the total amount you give; it is the starting point. It is the sacred duty of the Scout to tithe. It is done cheerfully and without regret. Once that is done, then we can look at what we can give to others. You do not and should not give to every cause or ministry that asks. Connect to those you have a passion for and share your values. Invest in the things of God; do not just throw your money at them. God does not need your money; He needs you.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU031620 Secret Help

 

Great Generosity

 

In the last reading, I talked about those who may not have financial resources but can be considered wealthy. The example I used was missionaries or those in similar work serving the Lord and others. They are working their dream, their purpose, although the financial reward that often follows others is not theirs. They are indeed the definition of a success-minded person. Jim Rohn said, “Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness – great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy.”

There are many things to look at when we talk of generosity; however, I wish to focus here on just one, and that is the responsibility of those with wealth to those who serve in missions. 

“Whatever thrift is, it is not avarice.  Avarice is not generous; and, after all,

it is the thrifty people who are generous.”

Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery

1847-1929

Former British Prime Minister

 

Those who feel they have been called to the mission field have a burning passion for bringing the Gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world. They are willing to leave all the comforts and material blessings behind to focus on those they are called to serve. I believe that they should not be spending their valuable time and energy out raising money to do the work they are kept from because they have to be out raising money.

For those of us who achieve our dreams in business, education, the pulpit, medicine, or any other line, we have the advantage of the rewards that achievement brings. For some successful people, wealth has been a great blessing to them. Yet we are all called to reach the world for Christ. The command to go into the entire world is for all of us. For too long, many in the Church have separated the mission field from the workplace. We feel that those who are called have the responsibility to go. Charles Spurgeon said, “If there be anyone part in which the Christian Church ought to keep its fervor at a white heat, it is concerning missions. If there be anything about which we cannot tolerate lukewarmness, it is in the matter of sending the gospel to a dying world.”

Those who cannot go should be supporting those who do. It is a partnership among believers that too often is forgotten by those who have the means to keep it. Leonard Ravenhill sadly said, “Today Christians spend more money on dog food than missions.” Scouts and Scouters know that it is their responsibility to support those on the mission field. Find someone you know and be their most active supporter. It is the least we can do.

I know you are thinking, “What does this have to do with Scouting?” One fundamental principle in life that every Scout must learn is to support something greater than themselves. It can be a great life lesson as well as a blessing for any Scout or Scouter to support a missionary and regular bases. You may think that your small amount will make little difference. Your little difference can make a big difference to someone who is serving on the mission field.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU031120 Help for Free