How Much IS Enough?

Personally, a goal I choose to shoot for, and see biblically sound, is to have enough to fulfill my destiny and live as the "average" person would live in the setting I am called to serve in. Living in poverty or living in luxury can be a hindrance to displaying and proclaiming the gospel to the ones we want to reach. In a sense, it is important to fit in. While we were in Hawaii during some of our training we rented an apartment and our daughter joined an AYSO soccer team. As we fit in, we had neat chances to share the gospel with the parents of some of the girls.

Here are some things to consider when putting together your budget:

#1. Insurance. Do you budget for insurance? Health Insurance? Life Insurance? These are often neglected or overlooked, but are important to consider as part of your budget. Personally we have insurance with a high deductible. We are healthy and consider this wise as it would also provide money for funeral expenses if a family member dies.

#2. Giving. This is often overlooked in budgeting. If your needs are $2000, you need to budget an extra $200 at least for giving.

#3. Transportation. It is important to have the tools to do your work. When we were in Honolulu for 16 months, we got by fine with public transportation. My wife needed a car for a couple of months to teach English to some Korean students. God gave us an old car, and it died the day after she was done!

#4. Travel. Be sure to budget your tickets and travel needs for the year. Even if it is just flying home once a year (which we highly encourage you to do for support raising purposes), be sure to budget that monthly so the money can be there when you need it.(Ex: If your plane ticket home is $1200, budget $100 a month for this need.)

#5. Schooling. This may be further education for yourself, or schooling needs for your children.

In all these things, the best you can, determine the Lord's will for your life and budget. Include what you need to fulfill your work. Even if this figure is more than what you bring in now, come up with a definite figure. This will let you know how much work you still have to do in support raising. It is important to know what percentage of your budget you have raised. Keep working at expanding your base until you reach your budget - and than keep working because some will drop off!

You may also consider giving an end of year repor to your supporters. How much of your budget that year did you actually raise? Accountability and transparency are vital elements to your support raising efforts.