Jamin Rathbun & Superdink.com

Who is this Jamin guy anyway?
I am the husband of one and the homeschooling father of five. I am a singer, songwriter, and a worship leader who plays guitar and piano. I am the Executive Director of Trinity Arts Center, a small Christian Arts Academy in Eastern Tennessee. I'm also a guitar teacher and -- I spend about half my time building web sites and helping companies organize their thoughts, fine tune their products, and turn their customers into company evangelists. I've been involved with four music projects in my life -- Hot Pink Turtle, Spin Radio, Stand Like Stone, and of course, Jamin Rathbun. I'm also training to be an Ultimate Fighter (that's not true). = )

bible

Malachi 3:10
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 the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

I'm not even going to attempt to "teach" on this topic because I'm at about a 4th grade level on this one. = ) What I will share is what has worked (and is working) for me and my family, to help us to gradually change the way we manage money, so that we can be faithful in this area. We've always liked the idea of giving -- to churches, needy families, friends, etc... We just never managed our finances well enough to allow an easy decision at crunch time. There's a lot of truth to that whole borrower is a slave to the lender thing eh?

Anyway... I encourage you to take the first small step to be faithful in this area.... And see what God will do. For us, the first step was something like this...

Start Small
Give 1% or give $25 or give whatever the Holy Spirit tells you is a good place to begin. It doesn't have to be 10%. It doesn't have to put your home at risk. It just needs to be a step toward obedience on your part... The first step of a commitment to get to where God wants you to be. Have a plan to increase that amount every 3 months or every year or the next time your finances change for the better. The goal is to get to 10% -- and then move beyond simply tithing into a lifestyle of generosity, hospitality, giving, and of course, blessing... Woo-hoo! = )

My recommendation?
Sponsor a child with World Vision. It's an easy way to commit a small amount ($30 a month) and have the opportunity to look into the eyes and lives of the children and communities you impact with your giving. Sometimes it's hard to see the impact of your small contribution to a $400,000 or $4,000,000 church budget. World Vision is a great way, I think, to "get" the spirit of what giving is about. (Besides, where else can you give someone a goat for Christmas.) = )

Before you send me email... = ) I'm not saying you shouldn't be giving to your local church community. I'm just saying that, for us, it was a great first step in our journey to obedience. Yours might be different... Just listen to the Holy Spirit and be obedient to do what he guides you to do.