My Stimulus - God or Stuff - Ginny Dent Brant

“Let your conduct be without covetousness, be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

A stimulus is defined as an agent, action, or condition which accelerates a response. More simply put—it’s an incentive.

An average of 3000 television commercials per day are designed to make us feel unhappy with what we have and stimulate us to buy what they sell. For many, the dream of "having it all" is what motivates us to get out of bed in pursuit of keeping up with the Joneses.

The American Dream lures us into living beyond our means and uncontrolled debt is a symptom of an earthly perspective which can stem from covetousness.

Paul directs us to be satisfied with what we have in Jesus. He reminds me Jesus is my stimulus, and my purpose is to serve Him. My motivation to spring out of the bed in the morning is Christ, not the Joneses.

Clearly we’re a nation of consumers and shoppers. This was never more evident to me than when my husband and I were forced to examine our possessions during our last move. After selling, throwing away and giving away numerous items, we moved our remaining possessions by the sweat of our brow. That sweat reminded us we owned too much stuff. We were guilty of over consumption in the first degree.

We can’t take our earthly possessions to heaven. The old saying is painfully true "only what's done for Christ will last." Everything on earth will eventually rot and be destroyed. Our recent move now made us start to evaluate daily, "Are we consumers or stewards while on planet earth?"

Each morning, God should be our stimulus—not accumulating stuff. By allowing Him to be the agent that motivates us we can work to accomplish His will. Serving Him is our response and our goal. The eternal reward will far exceed any joy our temporal stuff can offer.

What rules your life? Seek to be filled with the Master—the rewards are greater than the stuff.

Ginny Dent Brant is an educator, counselor, writer, soloist, Christian speaker and Bible study teacher. Ginny was a contributing author for The Chosen Path: 365 Inspirational Messages and has written articles for The Baptist Courier in South Carolina. She has done mission work in Romania, Yemen, Gaza, the Czech Republic, and China. Her first book about her relationship with her father, Harry Dent, and their journey from the White House to world missions will be released in 2011. Ginny and her husband, Alton, live in Clemson.

Read Ginny's devotions.

Your Treasure, Your Heart - Ginny Dent Brant

"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." Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV

Jesus spent approximately fifteen percent of his teaching on the subject of money and possessions. His intent was to help us live a fulfilled life . . . uncluttered by earthly things and free from the stress and heartache improper stewardship can bring. For these reasons, managing finances should be a top priority for all believers.

As most Americans, my husband and I relished the double-digit returns our investments produced. Then overnight, our values plummeted, leaving us feeling inadequate and insecure. Stocks, real estate, and interest rates sank to record lows and now we even wonder if our FDIC-Insured CD's are safe. Where was the peace within our storm? God's Spirit reminded us our eternal treasure should not be measured by earthly values.

This earth with its possessions is not our home. When we live, storing eternal treasures in heaven, the dividends and rewards exceed anything Wall Street promises.

When my heart becomes fearful of what may come, history reminds me tough times build character. The Great Depression produced the greatest generation of Americans ever born. They were resourceful and valued people above things. God, are you teaching me that I am placing possessions above people and their needs?

Budgeting for our family's needs, avoiding debt, and planning for retirement is a difficult responsibility. But God teaches us to live each day in the light of eternal values, trusting Him with our earthly needs.

The way we handle money reveals the true nature of our hearts. No matter how valuable an earthly treasure is—it will be worthless in heaven. Heaven requires our souls, not our finances. Invest in His Kingdom, which pays eternal dividends.


Ginny Dent Brant is an educator, counselor, writer, soloist, Christian speaker and Bible study teacher. Ginny was a contributing author for The Chosen Path: 365 Inspirational Messages and has written articles for The Baptist Courier in South Carolina. She has done mission work in Romania, Yemen, Gaza, the Czech Republic, and China. Her first book about her relationship with her father, Harry Dent, and their journey from the White House to world missions will be released in 2011. Ginny and her husband, Alton, live in Clemson, SC and have three sons.

Read Ginny's devotions.

Tithing and Trusting Go Hand in Hand - Ginny Dent Brant

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:10 NKJV

Why should I be reluctant to take God at His word and be obedient? In looking back over my life, I am reminded that, many times, tithing was difficult, yet God always took care of us. Tithing is not easy and there are always excuses not to be obedient. Early in our marriage, my husband and I were students and we’d begun our family. We started our lives together tithing and God miraculously provided all our needs.

Our toughest days came when a move left us paying for two houses, with all three sons in college. We questioned whether God would require us to tithe, but we desperately needed God to pour out his blessings on us. We learned to walk by faith, not by circumstances.

The next year cancer struck my husband and we questioned whether to "pass" on tithing. When we considered Jesus' example of the impoverished widow who gave all she had—there were no passes. We tithed, not knowing how we would pay the next bill. God did provide and He opened up the windows of heaven for us. By His grace, our home sold, my husband eventually recovered, and all three sons graduated from college debt-free.

As Christians, we must commit to tithe during both prosperous and lean times. Tithing is an important spiritual discipline that helps us even during the tough times. History reveals that more people tithed during the Great Depression than ever before. Our economic future is uncertain. The secret to handling uncertain times is to remain faithful to God.

As the days ahead appear to be unpredictable, may we all continue to walk in obedience as we give of our tithes and offerings. God has demonstrated throughout my life that He can take care of my needs. He has poured His blessings on me with a wonderful marriage, three sons who love the Lord, and an abundance of rich relationships and life experiences. Tithing is an act of obedience. When we put Him first, He takes care of the rest. Try Him . . . there will not be room enough to receive all His blessings.

Ginny Dent Brant is an educator, counselor, writer, soloist, Christian speaker and Bible study teacher. Ginny was a contributing author for The Chosen Path: 365 Inspirational Messages and has written articles for The Baptist Courier in South Carolina. She has done mission work in Romania, Yemen, Gaza, the Czech Republic, and China. Her first book about her relationship with her father, Harry Dent, and their journey from the White House to world missions will be released in 2011. Ginny and her husband, Alton, live in Clemson, SC and have three sons.