A Lifestyle Of Giving

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Tanya James

“Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

“…whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Galatians 6:7b

When I read those two scriptures, I get very excited about giving. I mean uncontainable excitement and guess what, I am not even thinking about financial giving. It seems sometimes we get stuck there – believing the only way we can give is with money. This means if we don’t have any money, we may feel that we have nothing to give.

However, there are so many other ways to give. Matter of fact, giving should be a part of your lifestyle. It should be something that you do so freely and regularly that it’s just a natural part of who you are.

So you ask, "How can I give something other than money?"

You can give of your time by serving in a ministry within the 4 walls of your church or even volunteering with an organization in your community. Going even further than that, make sure you are giving your time to your family. Don’t always give the best of you to everyone else and only give your family your leftovers.

You can give of your heart and compassion to those that may simply need someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on or someone to pray with them. Sometimes giving of your heart may be sharing an encouraging word or even a simple hug or hello to a stranger.

Of course, you can also give of your money – in addition to your regular tithes and offering – you can give to some of the special projects your church may be working on. You can give to that youth trying to save money to go study abroad. You can give to that family down the street that may be struggling due to someone being laid off. You can give to your local homeless shelter or children’s hospital …

Needless to say, daily we are presented with opportunities to give – lets all make an effort to give something of ourselves daily until it becomes a lifestyle. I guarantee you will find out what it means to be blessed to be a blessing!

Storing Up Treasures

Pastor Marvin Williams

I know a man who has built a small empire of wealth – several large houses, cars, trucks, and large envelopes filled with thousands of dollars in cash. In addition to having a few thousands in his house, last year, he resorted to hiding a large sum in cash, under a doghouse in his yard.

No, I am not giving you his address (Smile).

When I think about him and people like him, my heart breaks because, he has pursued and accumulated wealth here and failed to build a relationship with Jesus. I imagine this is exactly what Jesus was talking about, in Matthew 6:19-21, when he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

To understand what Jesus meant, we need to know what he did not mean. Jesus was not saying we could not have nice things, or that we could not engage in wise financial planning (life insurance policies, 401K/403B, or other investments). Moreover, he was not saying we could not enjoy wealth and the good things in life that God gives us, or we could not run our businesses profitably.

What did Jesus mean?
Jesus is talking about two types of treasures.

The first type is the kind we accumulate on earth. These treasures are vulnerable to all kinds of decay and theft. Jesus is saying, don’t make acquiring and accumulating these types of treasures - houses, cars, degrees, prestige, popularity, vintage comic books, coin collections, paintings, CDs and albums - our main concentration, obsession and addiction, at the expense and neglect of the most important treasure – God and helping those in need.

We should guard our hearts against the addictive pursuit of material wealth because of its dangers – the love of them is the root to all kinds of evils, may hinder people’s response to the gospel, create false security, make people proud, cause excessive worry, and lead people to forget God. Working for them may cause excessive tiredness, enjoying them too much may lead to self-indulgence, and misusing them may foster oppression and injustice.

The alternative, is laying up treasures in heaven. He is not saying people can buy their way to heaven. However, he is calling his followers to simplify their lives and leverage their time, and wealth for the sake of people in need (Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). When his followers, with pure motives (Matthew 6:1-4), do good, are rich in good deeds, are generous and willing to share with the marginalized, they will be laying up treasures in heaven.

Jesus goes on to say wherever our treasures and wealth are, our whole selves will be entwined with them. This verse becomes a gracious mirror in which we can see where our hearts really are. Jesus is warning us against being totally earthbound at the neglect of eternal values.

So, how can we determine today if we are pursuing wealth at the expense of God? How can we understand where our hearts really are? I believe the following questions can help us:

What occupies my thoughts and daydreams when I have nothing else to do?
What do I fret about most?
Apart from my immediate family, who or what do I most dread losing?
What are the things I measure others by?
What is it that we know we cannot be happy without?

Let’s pray about and determine how much is enough and release the rest to build the kingdom and help others find the real treasure: Jesus.

Tell Them

Bishop Donald Hilliard

"I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ." 1 CORINTHIANS 9:22 TLB

Josh McDowell writes "An executive 'head hunter' who goes out and hires corporate executives for other firms once told me, 'When I get an executive I'm trying to hire for someone else, I like to disarm him. I offer him a drink, take my coat off, then my vest, undo my tie, throw up my feet and talk about baseball, football, family, whatever, until he's all relaxed. Then when I think I've got him relaxed I lean over, look him square in the eye and say - what's the purpose in your life?' It's amazing how top executives fall apart on that question.' Well, I was interviewing this fellow the other day, had him all disarmed with my feet up on my desk talking about football. Then I leaned over and said - what's the purpose in your life, Bob? Without blinking an eye he said 'To go to heaven and take as many people with me as I can.' For the first time in my career I was speechless."

Sponsor AdThere are basically five reasons why we don't share our faith more often, and not one of them will hold up when we stand before Christ:

(1) We think it's the preacher's job.
(2) We aren't sure of our salvation.
(3) We fear being rejected.
(4) We've never taken responsibility for learning how.
(5) Our love for Christ has grown cold.

But not Paul: he said, "Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him."

Can you say that?

What Is Your Reality?

Lisa Birch

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith." (2 Corinthians 13:5)

A close friend was the victim of a home invasion last year while her husband was at work and she was in the house with her 2-year-old. The intruder broke in through a downstairs window, rummaged through a few things on the first floor then walked upstairs to lock eyes with my friend and her daughter who calmly asked, "Mommy, who is that?"

It was only about 7 feet of space that separated my friend from a complete stranger in her own home. After a quick but intense mutual stare, the intruder scurried back down the stairs and out the front door. I got word of what happened and took action right away. Sad to say I jumped right into the arms of fear.

"You've gotta move to a new neighborhood. Houses are for sale in my subdivision...I'll start making calls..."

I thought I was helping them, but I was only parading my lack of faith. Yes I acknowledged God's grace. The situation could have been much worse. The intruder didn't get physical or violent; instead, he fled.

Sponsor AdBut because my faith was a no-show, I couldn't inspire faith in my friend. In an instant without flinching, I adamantly suggested they uproot the family and essentially "run" because the intruder could return to finish business.

While I spewed faith-void opinions, my friend's neighbor stepped forth to deposit this more sound advice:

"Here's where you prove what you say you believe. Your faith in God must now become more than words. Is it your reality?"

That question ended up shaking me out of my foolishness. Even though it was my friend's experience, the whole ordeal felt just as scary for me. I lost sleep over it before finally realizing I needed the wake-up call. Spiritually, I wasn't where I thought I was.

It was emotionally challenging for them, but my friends decided to focus on moving the family forward. They embraced the small miracle that no one was hurt, repaired their window, installed an alarm system and continued on with their lives...stronger, more thankful and certainly more faithful.

It's cool to be faith-filled when things are going good. But in the greatest time of need, what is your reality: Faith or fear?

We Have An Inheritance

Brenda Gittens
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Divide the land among the tribes in proportion to their populations, as indicated by the census." (Numbers 26:52-53).

Every ten years the census conducted is to count the population of the United States and they need information from us to describe our families, households, and communities. I thought about the census that was taken in the book of Numbers, the results of it, and what the descendants from the twelve tribes of Israel were granted by God. They received an inheritance back then, and we as His people today have received one, because we're counted in "God's Census."

God required that every man in Israel be counted, because each family was entitled to an inheritance. And when they died, it would only go to their sons. Take notice, a female receiving it was unheard of until these five. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, were the daughters of a man who died in the wilderness named Zelophehad who was a son, grandson, and three-time great-grandson, but he had no sons of his own.

These sisters called a meeting with Moses, Elezar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community to say that they should receive their father's inheritance. "Why should the name of our father disappear just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives." (Numbers 27:4). So Moses took the sisters case before the Lord and it was granted for them!

This was a decision of the Lord, and what a breakthrough for women also! And the LORD replied to Moses, "The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You must give them an inheritance of land along with their father's relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father." (Numbers 27:6-7).

The Lord's granting of the allotments of land as an inheritance, showed His goodness and justice to His people. Today, He still demonstrates His goodness to believers, by granting us eternal life. And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:11). And Paul lets us know that God has qualified us for our share.

"May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light." (Colossians 1:11-12). This right here ought to be enough for all of us to rejoice in, no matter what the economy looks like, or who backs the stimulus package!

WE HAVE AN INHERITANCE!

PRAYER: Lord God, You are a wise and kind God. You extend Your goodness to Your people both now and in time past. We thank You for counting us among Your people, Hallelujah, and we praise You Lord for granting us an inheritance, the gift of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Dreaming For Your Kids

Ron Luce

And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. - Joel 2:28

We hear Joel 2:28 in church and think about how revival needs to come to the younger generation. But, instead of concentrating on that part of Joel 2:28, I want to draw your attention to the "old men will dream dreams" phrase.

I used to overlook that part of the verse most of the time, thinking, "I'm not going to be old for a long time yet, so I'm not going to talk or think much about the old men dreaming dreams." But it is the older people in our society who dream dreams for the younger generation; and so it must be the parents who dream dreams for their children.

They Didn't Ask for This Garbage

Looking at the culture barrage hammering our teens, whether it's what is sold to them, written to them--movies and music--or the point-and-click pornography available to them, there is one thing we can all agree on: Our children are not the ones who invented these things.

Just about every one of these social influences, media entertainment, technological inventions or opportunities on the Web destroying kids, have been dreamed up by the older generation. These older dreamers prey on young people because they have plenty of money. They appeal to young people's most corrupt desires to get them to empty their pockets.

The fact is, the kids didn't ask for this garbage; they were sold it by people trying to make a lot of money without any thought to moral consequences. Of course they will tell us, "If people didn't buy it, we wouldn't make it" as if it's a moral obligation to sell people things that will destroy them just because they buy it.

Here's the question: Are we not dreamers? Cannot we, the people who love God, dream a dream for the young people in our churches? Is it only the secular culture that has a dream for our children?

You can protect your kids from the disaster of being shaped by a confused generation of adults selling media, but it will take deliberation. It will take sweat. It will require emotional and mental engagement with your kids, starting when they are at a very young age.

Dream for Your Kids

Dream a dream for your kids. You can determine if they will be entertainment oriented or service-to-others oriented; constantly appeasing the flesh and desiring the next thing to engage and tantalize them, or those men and women who lay down their lives as a sacrifice for others? As you dream for your kids teach them how to think critically and pursue growth in their relationship with the Lord. If you sacrifice now, you'll reap a blessing for the rest of your life; and the world will never be the same.

Not only must we be the dreamers, but we must also teach our kids to be the dreamers for their own generation. These will soon to become the leaders who will soon determine the culture and morals of America. You can help them get a vision of how God could use them to change their generation and make a difference in the world.

Every time we allow our kids to watch, see, feel, touch and embrace this culture, they become a part of a dream belonging to someone else. The fact is, we must either be the dreamers or we will be a part of somebody else's dream.

Merely giving birth does not make you a parent. Sacrificing while your children are small, laying down your "deserved" freedoms and deeply thinking about how you're shaping your children will ensure their lifelong freedom from the chains of slavery to our culture. It's called loving your children.

It's called being a parent.