Saturday, October 1, 2011

Give To God First

“Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” -- Luke 16:10

The other day a wonderful man gave a talk on tithing. His goal was to encourage others to regularly give ten percent of their wealth back to God. It is, after all, what God tells us to do.

The audience slowly shut down as he went on and on. Money is never a pleasant topic, especially when someone is telling you to give up part of it. Talking more doesn’t make people listen more intently. They simply tune the speaker out. He sensed it, smiling nervously as he looked around the crowd again and again.

I’m a big believer in tithing. It’s one of those things no one really needs to discuss. The Bible is pretty clear that one tenth of all we have must be returned to God. I don’t believe in pledge cards for budget planning or any of those things. My formula is simple: Pray. Trust God. Tithe. He’ll provide what we need to do what He has called us to do.

Still, I was bothered by something this man said. He talked about how sometimes life throws us curves -- car wrecks, illness, major repairs -- and we simply can’t tithe. It happens to everyone, including him. The man gave his advice: just get back to tithing as soon as you can.

I understood what he was saying. He was encouraging those who’d gotten out of the habit of tithing to just jump right back in. But I wonder if he realized what he said, what he was admitting to? I don’t think he did.

See, God tells us to give Him the first ten percent of all we have. We’re not to wait until everything and everyone is taken care of and then, if we have anything left, give it to God. We give to God first and He makes sure that we have enough for everything else.

That’s the scary part. The mortgage or rent is due. The car payment. The insurance. There’s food to buy. Children to clothe. All those things are reasonable and God expects us to pay our bills. The true test comes when we don’t have enough money to cover everything and we still give God ten percent first. It’s called trust. I’m not sure this man has it. Not really.

Another man I know is a bi-vocational preacher. He wants desperately to devote himself full-time to his small congregation. He feels called to do that. But he can’t let go of that safety net that brings in $50,000 to $60,000 in income each year. He loves God with all his heart. But does he trust God with his finances? Does he trust God to provide him with all he needs? Does he trust himself to be content with what God provides and not want what the world says he needs?

Both of these men are devoted Christians. They love Jesus so much. They, like so many of us, have trust issues. Especially when it comes to money. I wish I could say I never doubt or have moments of panic. It wouldn’t’ be true. It’s hard to depend on what I don’t see to provide what I need and what I want. It’s hard to trust what I can’t see.

But God calls us to do just that. He promises that if we give Him the first ten percent of all we have -- what He’s given us and provided to us -- then He’ll bless us beyond measure and take care of all our needs. So the question is: Do you trust God? Do you really trust Him? Even with your money? Think about it.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Show Compassion

But Abraham replied, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

-- Luke 16:25

Another day, another nasty comment from yet another "superior" Christian. Why do we always assume that someone who is struggling financially isn't a good person or has done something wrong?

This economic downturn should have shown us all how easy it is to lose all your material possessions. We should learn from sudden illnesses and car wrecks and job losses and all the other things that can come out of nowhere and derail our lives. But we don't. Or at least some of us don't.

We assume that if someone is on unemployment then that person is too lazy to work. Maybe that's so. But probably the person can't get a job or is too torn down to even try anymore. We just know that a person who is working should have health insurance. If they don't, it's their fault for not having a better job. We can't believe that battered old car we pass on the side of the road. Everybody knows you've got to do regular maintenance on a vehicle to keep it running, no matter how many jobs you need to work to come up with the money.

Yeah, we are a nation of know-it-alls. But what's especially disturbing is that so many of those know-it-alls claim to be Christians. They say they know Jesus. But their hard hearts say something totally different. Share a smile and a little kindness with a person who is struggling. If you can safely help, go ahead. Replace instant criticism with compassion. Let people see Jesus in you.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Church Isn't About Money

"The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight." -- Luke 16:14-15

Have you ever attended a church that was focused on money? The call from the pulpit is almost weekly. Church leaders are always broke and always wanting. Not so they have more money to give to the poor. Not to meet basic needs or build as the church grows. Just to have more money. And more money. There is never enough.

This is not a criticism of tithing. The Bible says to give God back 10 percent of everything He has given you. That's basic. You do that or you report to God. End of story. Tithing is a good thing.

This is about the church that can never have enough money. It's the one where the church leaders go to conferences and host nice affairs for other churches or organizations. It's the one that is so fancy and new and, well, showy that you'd never think to invite a homeless person in for some fellowship.

Funny thing, too, the more the leadership focuses on money, the less they focus on helping the poor. The more time they spend building up the reserves, the more difficult it is to add an outreach program for teenagers. Or offer counseling for battered women. Or invite children to participate in a music program.

I once heard a wonderful preacher tell a congregation that he didn't worry about money. He wasn't really popular, as you might imagine. But he made a good point. He said that all he cared about was doing God's will. He said that if God calls a church -- or anyone -- to do something, He'll provide the money. He's right.

I'd really love to see all churches stop asking for money. I'd like for every Christian to truly tithe 10 percent. And I'd like for churches to pray for God's will before the leaders commit to anything. Because God will provide for whatever is His will. It might not be showy. It might not involve a new building. But it will minister and comfort His people, drawing them to Him. And isn't that truly what we've been called to do?