01
God’s Generosity
God is so unbelievably extravagant in his generosity. He gave His most precious son Jesus for all of us! (John 3:16) He provides for us in our daily needs and our greatest trials. I experienced it most radically after losing both my parents and my best friend in the span of a few years. God enveloped me in so much love and support from my wonderful friends and church community.
02
Giving
For years I spent money aimlessly, believing that because I worked hard, I deserved whatever I could afford. When I became a follower of Jesus, I realized that everything I own belongs to Him and everything in my life was a gift from Him. This included my sacrificial parents to my wonderful education and the many career opportunities. With that in mind, Eugene and I want any salary increases or windfalls to result in a rising standard of giving, not a rising standard of living.
03
Dangers of Wealth
I started my career in investment banking in New York City and like so many of my colleagues, I used mindless consumption as a coping mechanism. As consumption became a hobby, I believed that I needed a certain income to merely get by. To fight the dangers of wealth, my husband and I try to stay grounded by exposing ourselves to economic diversity through service opportunities as well as surrounding ourselves with like-minded followers of Jesus who can keep us accountable!
04
Treasuring Jesus
I equate treasuring Jesus with seeking first the kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33) When we’re not careful about seeking first the kingdom of God, giving can be used to serve our own needs. For me, it is far too easy to get caught up in idols that surround giving, such as placing an overemphasis on living simply or giving to build up my own ego. Our constant and fervent prayer is that our giving is truly an act of treasuring Jesus.
05
My Routine
I’ve long struggled to be consistent in my prayer life and I’ve only recently hit a good rhythm. I commute to work on Caltrain or the bus and I use that time to write in my prayer journal. Writing helps me so much! I also listen to podcasts of sermons from a few of my favorite pastors throughout the week. Finally, my calendar rules my life so I make sure to get events on the calendar that help us live for eternity and not for ourselves.
06
My Mission
I would describe my personal sense of mission as: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”
07
3 Words
My ultimate aim is to love God and love my neighbors. With that in mind, I hope the three words I will be remembered by are: faithful, loving and gracious.
