Plundering the Egyptians or Best Birthday Ever!

This week's blog will be devoted to the four events that converged this weekend. To begin, today we launched our much anticipated church building renovation plan. Normally I would not get too excited about a building program but this one makes so much sense and will do so much good. God has allowed us to "plunder the Egyptians", as we discussed in this morning's sermon, and now he is asking us to give from our wealth so that our church building can have a much needed face lift.

Secondly, I was surprised and honored by the thoughtful gifts given to us at church this morning in recognition of our ten years of ministry here at Clear Lake. I am humbled and appreciative of the many kind words spoken about our work here.

Third, last night my daughter, Elizabeth, accepted a proposal of marriage from Jaime Arizpe. Jaime and his parents had come to Houston from San Antiono last Friday to ask our blessing on his proposal. We already knew and loved Jaime and instantly fell in love with his parents as well. Jaime is a godly, responsible, and sensitive young man and we recognize in him the answer to our lifelong prayer for Elizabeth's future husband.

Finally, my 50th birthday has turned out to the be the best birthday ever! It began last weekend when all of my children came home to celebrate with me. Then each child sent me a personal letter telling me why they appreciate me as a father. Liz also joined in and wrote her own letter to me. Finally, my church family celebrated with me this morning.

I am more blessed than anyone else I know! I am so thankful for my many friends, my church family, my biological family, and especially for my Lord Jesus Christ who gave his all for me so that I might have all the spiritual treasures available through his death and resurrection.

Giving as a Defense Against Idolatry

I felt a bit like Art Linkletter having those kids up there with me today. (If you don't know who Art Linkletter is he did an old tv show called "Kids Say the Darnedest Things".) I can't wait to see how those kids spend their $5.00. I was origionally going to give each one 3 one-dollar bills but thought that would be too easy. Five dollars doesn't divide by 3 easily so it should make it more of a challenge. The real question, however, is how are we as a church going to respond with the money God has blessed us with?

Knowing how to use a tool ensures that we will get maximum benefit from it's use. The same is true for money. If one can learn how to use money to 1) Buy, 2) Save, and 3) Give they will be well on their way to using money appropirately. Unfortunately many of us never learned how to use money properly and have been hurt as a result. Bad credit, crippling debt, or simply using every penny we bring home just to get by, are all symptoms. Of course I understand there are emergency situations that may made it difficult to get by financially; but I am talking about how one uses money as a lifestyle.

For those who have had trouble managing money I would suggest that you simplify your lifestyle. We just don't need all the things the world tells us we need. When you must cut corners to make ends meet don't forget about the small things that really add up. Cable T.V., internet access, excessive eating out, are a few ways one can trim their spending to save money. FPU has a very workable plan to get out of debt and teaches one the tools necessary to use money properly. I just finished reading Dave Ramsey's, Total Money Makeover and recommend it for anyone who wants to gain better control of their money.

Jesus said, "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" (Luke 16:11). Money is not True Riches! But we must prove that we can handle money well so that God will give us the riches that are really valuable. What are those riches? I don't know the full extent of what God has in mind, but I do that a proper use of money brings peace, contentment, and joy. How rich is the person who has those things in their life!

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

The Collection

As one who has had a difficult time preaching on giving I was unusually excited to preach this specific message. During the past year I have been so impressed with our elders and other leaders. The recurring theme has been: discerning where God is leading, obeying his direction, and trusting him to provide what we need to do his work. The way God usually provides is through his people. As we grow in our faith we also grow in our giving. Part of the fruit of the spirit is "self-discipline". As we mature in self-discipline we refuse to let money control our lives by living on less than we make. This enables us to give generously and often. Although the lesson today certainly had application for everyone I was specifically targeting those who do not have a consistent, planned approach for their church contribution. I am especially interested in our children and teenagers who are perhaps earning their first paychecks. Now is the time to develop the habit of giving that will be one significant part of laying up treasures in heaven instead of on earth.