My Story
A bad check refers to a check that cannot be negotiated because it is drawn on a nonexistent account or one that has insufficient funds. Writing a bad check is illegal. The penalty in the state of Ohio for trying to pass a bad check intentionally ranges from a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail to a first-degree felony, punishable by three to eleven years in prison.
Was I a criminal if I never got caught?
No matter the answer, twenty years ago I was indeed in a prison of my own making called financial bondage.
My Unethical Behavior
One day in the midst of my financial chaos, to avoid being overdrawn I deposited a $100 check from my PNC account into my church credit union account. Both balances were close to zero. Back then, a few days were required for a check to be processed and cleared. My pay would be automatically deposited at midnight on Thursday, just in time to cover the check I had just written. In the meantime, this current deposit would prevent the $85 worth of outstanding checks I had written on Tuesday from bouncing. Creative finances? Right.
I was, indeed, in darkness. I did not see that I was not only misusing money, but I was also misusing other treasures, time, talents, and creativity God had blessed me with.
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
– Luke 16:10 – 11 (NIV)
Money | Values | Choice
My Unethical Beliefs
Later that day, I wondered, “How did I get to this point in life with my finances?” Robbing Peter to pay Paul had become a way of life for me. I had plenty of money beliefs and excuses to support my behavior: I was widowed at a young age. I had three children to feed. I had medical bills and college loans. I’m just not good with money. My parents never taught me how to budget money. My schools never taught me how to manage money. I would handle money much better if I had more of it, if I had enough of it. If I wasn’t so tired.
I was, indeed, a captive in need of freedom. I was playing the victim and blaming others for the financial bondage created by my choices.
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.
– Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Money | Values | Choice
A Widow's Offering
On that day, stooping to such behavior, I realized how poor I really was. My underlying problem was not that I was financially broke, but that I was spiritually broken. My problem was not that I did not have enough money to cover my expenses, but that I did not have enough faith to cover my unethical behaviors and beliefs.
I was, indeed, brokenhearted, in need of binding. Blind, but now I saw. Yes, I was a widow and yes, had extraordinary financial obligations, but God was aware of me and my situation. I got down on my knees and I began to pray. I encountered scripture that changed my perspective.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you”, he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. “All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
– Luke 21:1-4 (NIV)
Money | Values | Choice
The Test
I began to study the bible to see what God had to say about money. I started reading books by Larry Burkett, Ron Blue, Dave Ramsey, Ron & Mary Hulnick and many other Christian authorities on personal finance. A few of Burkett’s concepts listed below made me want to learn more.
- For a Christian who is seeking God’s will, God’s principles point the way to peace, happiness, and prosperity. The Creator of the Universe has promised to guide us in the management of our finances if we follow His principles.
- Nearly two-thirds of Jesus’s parables deal with the use of money. He equated the ability to manage financial resources with the ability to manage spiritual resources.
- Once we understand that giving is our testimony to God’s ownership, it opens a higher level of sharing: sharing offerings above the tithe out of obedience to God’s word.
- Giving is not a command. It is the outside indicator of the inside spiritual condition.
The Sovereign Lord was, indeed, on me. I began to tithe. I began to test God in the area of finances because in Malachi 3:10 it says I could. I began to give away the first 10% of my take home pay. I was almost immediately blessed with a new found sense of order and a burning desire to grow up; to be a “good steward” of God’s money.
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
– Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
Money | Values | Choice
My Inspiration
And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
– Luke 4:17 – 21 (NIV)
This healing option is the master plan Jesus left for us to follow. This set Christ’s agenda and eventually my agenda. It is the inspiration and underlying platform of this Ethical $pending website.
Money | Values | Choice
Dedication
I dedicate this work as a parental “do over” to my three adult children. When they were young and I had the chance and the responsibility to guide them, I did not do a very good job of teaching them about money. I think my personal finances were in a general state of chaos most of their childhood.
I want them, and anyone else who God brings to this website, to understand what I have since learned; to know the reason I found hope. I want my children, and others who may be skeptical, to know that applying values to finances is a way of honoring God. The end result is spiritual and financial peace and clarity. This is, indeed, good news.
To keep the focus on God, I have made the choice to remain anonymous. More of Him, less of me.
Be encouraged by the website and have a blessed day!
Founder and Developer of Ethical $pending
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
– 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Money | Values | Choice
Ethical $pending
Your Choice | God's Miracle
JU$T LOVE
No judgment. We know it gets hard sometimes.
It will be easier once you find wisdom and gain understanding.
God will bless you in seemingly impossible ways!
Ethical $pending is a CHOICE to base your MONEY beliefs & behaviors on spiritual VALUES.