Giving to Support the Local Church

I appreciate so much Kyle and Ginger's willingness to stand and give testimony to how God keeps his promises. I was thinking as they were talking how I never cease to be amazed at the creativity of God. God has promised to provide for us when we tithe but doesn't tell us how that blessing will come. Kyle and Ginger reminded us that things we might be tempted to chalk up as "coincidence" are really God's creativity coming through. May we never stoop to the pagan level of thinking we are just lucky! When you trust God by giving generously HE provides what you need. Period!

I also appreciated Tommy's willingness to let me read his response to last week's blog. Who else is reading this right now that is willing to respond to God's invitation to test him by giving generously and regularly? I promise I won't read anything publicly you write unless you give me permission. But, it is so encouraging when people share as Tommy did, the conviction they have experienced and the resulting decision to make life style changes. May God bless you richly Tommy as you "put your money where your faith is."

"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." (Malachi 3:10)

Giving as a Response to God

I have heard several comments regarding the report that only 37% of our congregation's families give regularly to church. (The actual number of families this percentage represents is 88 out of 233.) It is my desire to see this number increase in 2009. Although we talked about tithing two weeks ago; I recognize the difficulty of moving from 0% regular giving to 10%. I think a better strategy is to first develop the habit of regular giving and then move toward generosity.

On the plus side we did find that 68% of the congregation gave at least one recordable contribution in 2008. I know that some contribute cash only (which is not recordable) so we could realistically bump that percentage up a little. This is the group that I would like to encourage to move from sporadic giving to regular contributing. The difference is truly amazing. Say, for instance, that one gives a one time contribution of $500. That is a wonderful gift and will certainly help the congregation's financial needs. However, if that same person gave just $25 a week by year's end they would have contributed $1300 for the year.

That the church needs money is obvious since we function only by the generosity of our members. However, if this becomes the primary motivation for one's giving - one will give based on whether or not one perceives that the church needs money. The past two weeks we have talked about two other biblical motivations for financial giving: 1) Giving as an expression of faith; and 2) Giving as a response to God. May 2009 be the year that all of us stretch our faith and give in a way that tells God we are truly appreciative for all that He has given for us.

Giving as an Expression of Faith

People make interesting comments after sermons. Some time ago I told the congregation that my favorite after sermon comment is, "What a Savior!" Since that time several have come up to me after the sermon and made that exact comment. Sometimes people want to tell me "What a Savior!" but forget exactly how the phrase is expressed. A few weeks back one of our teenagers got really confused. He wanted to give me the ultimate compliment but instead what came out of his mouth was, "You're the Savior!" God help us all if anyone really believes that!

As promised, here are the scripture references that I left out of today's sermon to save on time. I guarantee it will bless your life if you take time to read over these and contemplate what God is wanting his children to learn in regards to giving.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

Tithing Before the Law of Moses was Instituted:
Abraham - Genesis 14:20
Jacob - Genesis 28:22

Two Tithes Required by the Law:
Priestly Tithe - Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:20-32
Festival Tithe - Deuteronomy 14:22-27; 26:12-15

Gifts Required by the Law:
Firstfruits - Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Gleanings - Deuteronomy 24:19-22
First Male Offspring - Exodus 13:11-16

Laws that Restricted One's Earning Ability:
Sabbath - Exodus 20:8-11
Sabbatical Year - Leviticus 25:1-7
Year of Jubilee - Leviticus 25:8-22

God's Promise to Bless Israel's Obedience - Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Living in Love

The sermon this morning is really quite simple. Everyone recognizes that we need to love and be loved. We can't do this on our own. Therefore, we need God to fill us with his unquenchable supply of love so that we CAN love one another. It's not hard to understand; putting it into practice is something else. However, give it a shot this week. Love someone who cannot repay you or return your love. Perhaps you could anonymously do good for someone in need. Don't think of it as your doing something for someone; instead, think of it as passing on what God has already given you in abundance.