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Using Money Matters To Mature Christians

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Using Money Matters To Mature Christians
 
            Maturing new Christians is a very important part of establishing congregations.  Most adults who become Christians here in Brazil have many things to change in their actions and attitudes to be salt and light to the world around them.  I really enjoy studying the Bible with people and seeing the joy in their eyes when what they have heard most of their life about Jesus and what they are now reading in the Bible intermix and truth is found, their eyes opening, seeing, and believing.  But what about after they are baptized?  How do they proceed from there, learning to walk in this new life of service to God? 
One of the areas of life that most people have a hard time being salt and light is financial, an area lurking in the shadows, which no one talks about much.  The truth of the matter is that Jesus talks about money as one of the two masters that we will either serve or hate in Matthew 6.  I have begun to teach couples in the church some principles that I have read and heard from Dave Ramsey.  I am teaching these couples that living debt free makes sense, that it is possible and they will be able to help others, by giving, supporting Brazilian evangelists and helping establish new congregations as well as traveling to visit and help in campaigns, etc.  It may not seem like the most exciting thing to do but actually it is exciting.  You can see joy in their eyes when they see the possibility of growing spiritually and helping others.  It is not the same joy as when they understood better what Jesus did for us all but it is still exciting to be a part of helping others grow, learn and become more mature.  Thank you for your prayers.

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