Stewardship by Tapiwa Chizana

Tapiwa Chizana, better known as Taps - leader of Thembalezizwe Church Trenance, Bulawayo, shared with a group of folk from Crossroads on how to steward their finances. He shared from Proverbs 30: 24 - 25 "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer."

He encouraged people to be wise and utilize their "summer" which comes to everyone.......to store up their finances in summer. Those who are not wise won't store up anything. He encouraged people to give God 10%, save 10%, invest 10% and live off 70%. When winter comes one can live off their investment.

This is an interesting concept for rural folk who don't earn much and/or are subsistence farmers. Some are lucky enough to have family in the diaspora who help meet their financial needs.

Questions that arose are on:

• How rural folk should invest their money? 
• How does one maintain their lifestyle without letting it go down?
• How does one save if one is not earning enough and can't meet one's needs?

Hopefully, there will be a follow on session to discuss these realities......

People were encouraged to

• Clear their debts but still give God 10%. 
• To get into a habit of saving and investing.
• Not to just lend people money because they could be perpetuating a problem

Summary: Guys must work hard when they are young and handle their finances properly.

By Molly Manhanga