A few months ago, our church laid out a challenge to several individuals: take $100 and multiply it for the Kingdom of God. Seven thousand dollars was given out to various people in our church. It was up to us to decide on how to spend it. That money came back as $37,000! The money will be used for charity, helping local schools and churches in the area. It was a lesson of how our resources could be used for God's Kingdom.

Last week, another challenge was given at church. This time take something that you own worth $100 (or more) and sell it so that the money can be used again to serve other local charities and those less fortunate than ourselves. Immediately (and quite selfishly I might add) I used the opportunity to think about all the things I might want to get rid of SO THAT I would have an excuse to buy a new replacement. But I realized shortly afterwards that that would have been missing the point. Our pastor so effectively taught us on Sunday that by God's grace we have everything that we need, so out of the abundance of His provision we should give abundantly to others. Still, I could use that money myself to buy a brand new laptop or a new camera body, but I know that the money is far better utilized and reaches further in this world when I give it to someone who really needs it. But the temptation is still there because I really like buying shiny new toys! Oh how easily I am torn! What I really need is a change of heart. I think this Kingdom Assignment will be a good means of grace for me to move towards that. While I've been learning about not needing the nicest things, I still need to learn about being generous with the money that I don't end up spending, rather than just shifting it towards something else I want.

In the end, I've decided to sell my Nintendo Wii and give that money to the church. I decided on the Wii mainly because I don't play it anymore, but also because there's nothing that I am tempted to directly replace it with-- there's no such thing as a Super Ultra Wii 64, or something like that. Carolyn has also decided to sell something of hers; more on what she decides later. I'll also post later on what Wii and Wii accessories I'll end up selling.