Today I want to introduce you to my mom, one of the most beautiful and selfless women I have ever met. Her wisdom is absolutely timeless, and I have come to her for so many of my questions, thoughts, and doubts. 
With all of these concepts of stewardship, and living out God’s will in our finances, I thought it would be helpful for you to see a woman who is actually living out these truths, and practicing them on a daily basis.
She is a great example of what it means to truly trust God with EVERYTHING, and to never look back. I hope you are encouraged by her, and you are able to see the subtle, yet unbelievable rewards that come from honoring God in your everyday lives….
1. On this blog, we are all about saving women money and helping them spend it, but do you think talking and thinking about money can sometimes become a distraction in itself?
Yes. spending, saving and tracking income and expenses can become an obsession just like anything else. There are so many people and things that can become an idol to us and that can certainly include our finances. That is not just a statement to the wealthy who have a lot to keep track of. When times are tight couponing for instance could become the idol in our lives. Seek the LORD first in ALL things including the management of HIS assets.
2. What is one of the most important lessons you’ve learned with using your resources for Kingdom purposes?
I think one of the most important lessons that I have learned is “patience”. When giving to churches or organizations that are working to get the gospel out for instance…I have learned to be patient and know that I will see the fruit of those gifts in heaven some day. Those who were able to hear and accept the gospel message as a result on one of my financial gifts may reveal themselves to me in heaven. Oh what a special day that will be….so much more fulfilling than having a plaque on a wall in some stone church here on earth.
3. What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with giving the control over to the Lord?
I think I would suggest that they purposely put the LORD first with their giving. Take 10% right off of each check and give it away. Immediately the LORD will be first in their financial planning. From there take small steps. Deny yourself some pleasure that is straining your budget. For example if you have a Starbucks every day…..start by reducing that to every other day for a month. Track your savings and as you see results and enjoy that you are truly putting the LORD first with your giving, you will feel HIS presence as you become more self-controlled and dependent on HIM.
4. What is the best tip you have in regards to saving and spending well?
For saving – do it with a purpose and a plan and make sure to get the best interest rate available for the amount of money you have saved. For spending – look for sales and use coupons at all times!
5. How can a women start to get involved in things like charitable giving or investing?
Women naturally have the hearts to give so getting involved comes naturally in most cases. Find a cause that you are passionate about and seek to make a difference in that area. Investing is quite a different thing. Depending on how much you have to invest always think about your risk tolerance level before investing. For instance if 1 is extremely conservative and 10 is aggressive and you rate yourself as a 3 for your risk tolerance level…. never invest in something that can be extremely volatile and would rank as a 10 on the risk tolerance scale. Much stress is added to ones life by not investing according to your own risk level. If you invest too conservative for yourself you become dissatisfied and anxious…if you invest too aggressively you worry all the time. So find the balance.
6. What is your favorite verse in the Bible on finances?
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
7. How does your testimony relate to the topics of stewardship and finances?
The LORD has given me much to steward over in this world. Because of that, I have needed to work diligently to keep an eternal perspective and to not let the “worries of this world” overtake me. Certainly, I am still a major work in process but the scripture that says “…it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle…” keeps me focused on the task at hand. It is all about avoiding the “love of money” and working on growing your heavenly balance sheet as opposed to your earthly one. The wealthy need to be encouraged greatly in this because they can be used as vessels of honor or (more easily) vessels of dishonor with respect to stewardship and finances. I am running a distance race and striving for the goal and the reward just like everyone else!
By: Erika Pizzo & Carin Amaradio