Money, Money, Money (Super Cool Person of the Week)

Money—that word demands attention from some people…and causes great frustration among others.

Our world is dominated by money problems. The statistics I continually read on debt are amazing. Did you know that more Americans will declare bankruptcy this year than graduate college?

And to be honest—I don’t see the problem going away any time soon. Debt is one of the most marketed products in our country…and the credit card companies are literally spending millions of dollars to market “convenience” to all of us. (If you don’t believe this—just ask yourself who is responsible for all of those stupid credit card offers you get in the mail—someone is paying for all of that!!!)

When I was in my mid-20’s I will have to admit that I made a lot of really stupid financial decisions. I spent money that I did not have…how…by doing what many of you do—I would just swipe the credit card and make the monthly payment. (By the way—did you know that the average credit card debt per household in America is $8,400…if you make the minimum payment on this it will take you 25 years and $24,000 before this debt goes away—just a thought!)

So when I began the church I realized that I was going to have to have someone around me who had made much wiser financial decisions than me. At first there was a dude named Joe Sangle who assisted with this—he is a genius when it comes to finances; however, his job relocated him and his incredible family and so the search began for someone else.

We have a group of trustees at church…and with their assistance Jason Moorhead, our executive pastor, and myself, made the decisions with this group of godly men. However, we knew there was going to be a time where our church was going to need someone full time to be over the finances. I am, and have always been, committed to the financial integrity of our church. I have seen too many ministries fall because of freaky finances and I have always been determined that a financial pitfall was not going to take place in our church.

So about a year ago we hired a dude named Paul Marshall. I don’t have room enough on this post to list his experience when it comes to finances and the very wise decisions that he has made. (The wisest decision he EVER made though was not a financial one…but rather the decision to marry his awesome wife Beth!)

And so Paul is my super cool person of the week…and here is why.

Paul Marshall is smoking what he is selling…if you know what I mean. He consistently makes godly and wise financial decisions in his own life…and so when he needs to make them for the church it is not a struggle for him…he is consistent & so he simply makes the right decisions out of instinct. (And for those of you who attend New Spring…the finances are not handled by him alone…all major decisions that are not in the budget have to be approved by the executive staff and the trustees before the money is spent.)

And Paul also spends countless hours with people who need financial counseling. He has spent time with staff members, members and attenders of New Spring…and even people who have heard about him. He is passionate about seeing people handle their finances in a way that honors Jesus Christ.

(By the way—if you want financial counseling then Paul will be glad to meet with you; however, you MUST understand that one of the first questions out of his mouth is going to be in regards to whether or not you tithe…Paul understands that if God is not in control of an area of your life, then that area is going to be out of control!!! And if you are worshipping God with your finances (giving tithes and offerings) then your finances will be freaky!)

I also love the fact that Paul does not pull punches when it comes to people living in homes and/or driving cars that they can’t afford.

However, the thing I admire most about Paul is the fact that he loves Jesus. His servant’s heart is incredible. When I was in the hospital he took charge of making sure my wife didn’t have to sit with me 24/7. He arranged people to hang out with me so she could go to the gym or go grocery shopping…or just GO wherever. He spend several nights with me in the hospital so ‘Cretia could sleep at home. He even brought me a chicken sandwich when I began to get my appetite back. He took me walking on one of the first days I could get out of the house—whatever ‘Cretia and I needed—he was there to assist…and never, NOT ONCE, complained.

Thanks Paul—you rock…you set an example for all of us on staff as to what a godly marriage should look like—the way you pursue your wife is awesome! The way you love your kids is awesome as well…going to tennis matches and soccer games…and enjoying every minute of it. I just hope I am half the dad that you are one day!

Paul Marshall—officially the super cool person of the week!