To bless or not?

**krafty** · 09-16-2011, 03:34 PM

I just completed college and have approximately $14,000 in school loans that we could pay off as soon as the first bill comes but my struggle is this. As a Christian I know that God will bless me when I bless others and as such my Wife and I budget about 3.5 - 5% of our income to bless people we feel God wants us to bless when there is a need.

What I struggle with is that we were doing this even when I was in school and when I finished school I got a well paying job that has allowed me to pay off this loan before I have to make interest payments on it which would be fantastic. However, to do this we would have to stop putting money into the blessing fund for the next three months to make that happen. So I wonder to myself whether my well paying job is God's blessing to me for blessing people while I was in school and now he is giving me the opportunity to pay off this loan or if I should keep giving to the blessing praying that God will bless me further to pay off the loan.

In addition, amidst all of this my wifes car and our house are beginning to require repairs all that are costing money. After the school loan is paid off we could live quite comfortably. I just dont know what Mr. Dave Ramsey would say about all of this because we could easily go back to blessing after the loan is paid off.

Let me know your thoughts everyone!

Thanks,

Mike

**ilovechocolate** · 09-16-2011, 04:37 PM

I don't know what Dave would say, but I think that since you are so concerned about NOT being a blessing, then you should continue to put money into that fund, even if it takes you a little longer to pay off the loans. You are young, you have a good job, and there is time to pay things off. As a Christian, you have to do what you feel led to do, and I think it is obvious that you would feel bad if you weren't paying your blessing fund.

**khaski** · 09-16-2011, 05:48 PM

I think it's a no brainer- stop blessing others for just 3 months, then you will be able to bestow MORE blessings upon those in need then you can if you don't stop. Taking care of yourself first is following God's plan for you still as you will shorty have more to offer others if you take care of your own household first. I assume you are not talking about not tithing to your church, but rather helping privately? Your church aside, to my knowledge, Dave strongly advocates helping yourself FIRST so you may later really help others.

**mh3rdwheel** · 09-16-2011, 06:03 PM

If you feel bad about not blessing others for three months then continue blessing others. It really feels good when you are able to help others.

You are very fortunate to have the opportunaty to help others and also to get a excellent payin job because of The Lord.

**Beejay** · 09-16-2011, 06:38 PM

A Big Hug for being a blessing to others !

How about reducing the amount that goes into this fund until your school loan is paid off. The Bible says that we are not to be debtors.
So I think your loan payoff should be the priority right now. Maybe you could establish a set amount to give that would still enable you to meet your goal of paying off the loan. Because of my financial situation (DEEP IN DEBT) I stopped my monthly contribution to a ministry that I had partnered with. Then I recently decided that if I could only afford to send $10.00 a month, then that would be my partner donation until my situation improved. Each month when I send that $10.00, I ask God to bless it and magnify it's benefit. And I believe He does.

**grneyegrl** · 09-16-2011, 06:58 PM

you dont have to give money to bless someone..it means more to give of your time as that is not replaceable...if u can find some where to volunter or give can goods(food) to a food bank..

put your wife and home repairs first and make sure there is an emergency fund with 2 or 3 years of funds..given how this economy is going u never know what will happen

**mndtrp** · 09-16-2011, 08:37 PM

You can bless in other ways than with money. Your time, skills, knowledge, leadership, reasoning or simply just listening are all ways you can bless others. Bring joy to an old person' life by playing cards with them in the afternoon.

**frugalwarrior2** · 09-17-2011, 07:13 AM

That was my thought also. Capitalize on the oppertunity to pay off the loan then pay it forward in the future. In the mean time,perhaps good works giving of your time will suffice. Deliver dinners or spend time w/ the isolated from your church? I would of course urge you to pray on this and the Lord will give you the answer.

**mateosbaby** · 09-20-2011, 12:00 AM

While God will bless you when you give freely and trustingly, He also says not to be in debt. You made a promise to pay that loan. Granted, you could pay the minimums for the next 10 years so you could bless others monetarily and give above and beyond your tithe. But is that really helping anyone in the long run? Like others have said, besides your tithe, you can volunteer your time to bless others while you get that loan paid off.

**homemaker66** · 09-20-2011, 06:34 AM

Boy that is a tough one. I would first pray about it before you make any choices. God blessed you with this job because of your faith. If you are still unsure have a meeting with your pastor he is your shepard he will guide you. I would not do anything until you get the answer from GOD.

**rachelj** · 09-20-2011, 01:04 PM

Are you tithing and this is above the tithe?

**krafty** · 09-21-2011, 12:51 PM

Yes, tithing is not an option. My wife and I always put our tithe first. So our blessing fund is above our tithe.

**rachelj** · 09-21-2011, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by krafty

Yes, tithing is not an option. My wife and I always put our tithe first. So our blessing fund is above our tithe.

This was why I ask.

I believe that tithing is important. So I wouldn't tell someone not to tithe.

However,

I do believe that it would be ok to decrease your "blessing" amount. You do need to pay that debt off. However, if you see a special need that you want to give to, I think that it would be great to do it. Maybe just not to the extent that you have been.

Congrats!

**mek42** · 09-21-2011, 10:50 PM

Why not join your local volunteer fire department, ambulance corps or Red Cross chapter and give your time to those in need while you temporarily use your money for your family's well being?