Friday July 16, 2010

Read 2 Corinthians 9:11-15

As you read these verses, the words ‘thanks’ and ‘praise’ come up four times. It’s repeated over and over because our generosity leads to thanks and praise - to God and not to us.

That’s a great motivator. I’ve seen this repeated many times over. As a church grows in generosity, as the individuals grow in generosity that church can then help meet others’ needs. These people, having their needs meet, give praise and glory to God because of the help given to them by brothers and sisters in the Lord. Personally, I find it a great joy to know that others are praising God and giving thanks to Him from my service to Him. What a joy to know that the Lord is glorified by my service and my generosity.

Added to this, others will see our obedience to the Lord as we give generously and this too will lead to praise and thanks being offered up to God. Giving is not optional. Generosity is not optional. As Paul says in vs 13, it is the obedience that accompanies our confession of the gospel.

Finally, our generosity is a marker showing how much we have understood the generosity of the Lord to ourselves. As we grow in grace and understanding of what the Lord has done for us, generosity becomes easier and easier. No wonder Paul finishes this section with, ‘Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.’ God has given us everything in Jesus Christ. He has given up His one and only Son. He has poured out His wrath on Jesus rather than on you and I. God has adopted us as His children. He has given us an inheritance - the inheritance of Christ. He has poured out the Holy Spirit into our hearts and has sealed us for the day of redemption. He is leading us home towards our eternal inheritance kept in heaven for us.

God has given you and I so much. His indescribable gift is enormous and often unfathomable. He alone deserves glory, honour and praise.

Prayer:-

• Pray for our children’s ministry. Pray that Jane and team would be able to mentor our young children, grow them in the faith and ground them soundly in the Word. Pray that the children would mature and develop in the Word, growing into strong Christian ambassadors.


• Pray that our teens would grow into strong capable men and women who love the Lord with their heart and soul and mind and strength. Pray for the youth leaders who train, equip and lead them each week.

Do It Today

Spend time praising and thanking God for his generosity to us in Christ Jesus.

Thursday July 15, 2010

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

I’m cautious of the health, wealth and prosperity gospel that I see so often on TV and hear on the radio. The preacher urges us to give more, to give even more and God will give back to you. He will bless you 1,000 fold if you give to the Lord’s work. I know of several people who have sent off their last meal ticket or rent cheque to such preachers, only to get a photocopied standard “Thank-you” letter in the mail. I certainly pray that you have not heard or will not hear me preach such unscriptural theology in these pages.

But there is a sense in which God blesses our giving.  Verse 6 sums up the thought in agricultural terms.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

When we give generously we can expect a bountiful harvest. We can expect to reap back in proportion to what we have sown. The problem with prosperity theology is that it always equates reaping with financial rewards - If you give generously God will give generously back to you in dollar terms. But God does NOT promise dollars back to us. He promises a bountiful harvest. I would rather a thousand souls enter the kingdom than a thousand dollars in my pocket. I would rather have ten believers grown in the faith than to see an extra $400 in my pay check each month! That’s why vs 8 talks about abounding in good works. That’s why vs 9 mentions enduring righteousness. That’s why vs 10 mentions an enlarged harvest of righteousness.

In terms of giving, we must decide between ourselves and the Lord, what we will give. A tithe is a good biblical position to start but our giving should never be limited to a tithe. Sometimes the Lord will require more. And having decided what we are to give, we should give it cheerfully or graciously because the Lord has been gracious to us. It is not a religious duty or a gift given begrudgingly but a gift given with overflowing joy. If I am not giving with joy and giving graciously I am probably committing idolatry for I am loving Money more than God. And we all know that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Perhaps the climax of giving generously comes in vs 11:-

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

God will allow us to be generous on every occasion and thanksgiving will flow out to the Lord from others. Is there any other greater joy than knowing that others are praising and thanking God because of your input into their lives?

Prayer:-

• Pray for the work of Creation Ministries as they seek to spread the knowledge of God and to teach about Genesis 1-12 as real history. Pray that churches and Christians would be generous to their work so that they have all they need to surge ahead.


• Pray that the churches across the land would be generous in supporting the various missionary bodies. Pray that these bodies would be able to support and care for the missionaries in their care. Pray that they would be wise in the use of their funds and willing to pray about their spending.

Do It Today

Determine your level of giving.

How?

• Calculate all of your income, from all sources. Work out gross figures not net figures.


• Start with a tithe (10%) and use that as a basis.


• Prayerfully ask the Lord how much more you should give regularly.


• Pray for a joyful and gracious heart in your giving.

Wednesday July 14, 2010

Read 2 Corinthians 9:1-5

Generosity, like most Christian character traits, are caught as well as taught. That’s why we’re told to spur one another onto love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). That’s why Paul talks about giving and being generous. That’s why Paul boasts of the churches generosity. Generosity rubs off onto others.

The enthusiasm and generosity of the church had spurred others into action. There was a flow on effect as Paul boasted to others about the Corinthian churches. That flow on effect is still alive and well today.  There are many blockages and barriers to giving generously.

• Some people think the funds just sit there. Most churches do not have a spare allotment of funds but use them to the very dollar to meet needs.


• Some believe that the church couldn’t use the extra funds. More money would enable more ministries to be run and more outreach opportunities to be opened.


• Some believe that churches would squander the money and not use it wisely. Most churches are struggling just to pay their bills. Extra funds would relieve this burden and allow wider use of funds, poor relief etc.


• Some people in bigger churches believe that their giving would make no difference. In reality even big churches are often struggling to pay their bills and meet their costs.

Your enthusiasm in giving, your generosity will rub off onto others and pretty soon your congregation will be known as a generous congregation. Please pray about it.

Prayer:-

• There are many church plants in Toowoomba struggling to keep a full time minister in the seat. Pray that God would provide for them. Pray that the congregation would grow and that we’d see a change in their situation.


• There are many super-wealthy churches in Australia. Pray that some of their wealth would be released for the struggling church plants.

Do It Today

Ask God to show you if your level of giving is adequate. Ask Him to direct you in this matter.

Tuesday July 13, 2010

Read 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

I read with teary eyes the account of an overseas church that had about $250,000 to give to the needy each and every year from the members of the congregation. These were not investments or win-falls gained by the people. It was ordinary folk giving sacrificially. One of the pastors would sit with the needy and destitute and give them what they needed.  What a beautiful testimony to the Lord’s grace and love. Many people turned to the Lord for salvation because of the generosity of that church.

The church of our Lord and Saviour should, as Paul points out, be a place of equality. Paul encourages us to give sacrificially but not to the point of being a burden upon the church. That would be counter productive.  We are encouraged to give sacrificially so that the church can support the needy and destitute.

Let me encourage you to dream. Let me encourage you to dream of a church that has a reputation for being generous, not frivolous and not unwise.  When Joe is still sick and cannot take any more time off work because his sick leave and annual leave is all gone, the church can step in to help him financially for another 3 months while treatment continues. The church runs a soup kitchen for the needy in the community and blesses the homeless with a meal each week. When Jack and Janine look like defaulting on their house payments because of an unexpected bill, the church can help out. Mary and Mike can’t afford to pay for their daughter’s wedding so the church can foot some of the bill. Shane can’t afford a suit for his new job. The church is there to help.

It sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? But scripturally speaking, the church should be a place of generosity. The church should be able to spread wealth evenly to those in need. The church should never have to turn someone away because there’s not enough to meet the bills.

Over the years I’ve served on several Management Committees. I’ve been deeply ashamed that most of these churches (even the large ones) could barely meet their own costs and bills, let alone parting with money for the poor and destitute. Most churches have to send the needy and poor to the government agencies to get help because they can’t help them. What an indictment on the church!

I dream of a generous church like the one described in Acts 2 and 4. People selling worldly things and using the money for blessing of others. I dream of a church where we can bless the poor, help the homeless, feed and clothe the needy. I dream of a church where the non Christian world comes along to find charity, help and support, knowing that these Christians love God so much that they are generous. I dream of a church so generous that we can support and uphold smaller churches that are struggling with finances.  I dream...

Let’s stop dreaming. Let’s make it a reality. Be generous in all you do. Be generous in your time, your words, your assets and, yes, even your money.

Prayer:-

• Pray that we will be a generous church in everything.


• Pray that the love of Christ so overwhelms us that we give willingly and generously.


• Pray that our Committee of Management will be so overwhelmed with our generosity that their work is a joy not  a burden.

Do It Today

You can be generous in many ways. You can be generous with your money, your assets, your time, your words (this doesn’t mean talking lots!!),  your presence and your help. Try it today. Be generous.

Monday July 12, 2010

Read  2 Corinthians 8:1-15

“Generous.” Would that word describe your church?

“Generous.” Would that word describe you?

Christians are called to be a generous people, for God has been exceedingly generous to us.

As Paul begins this section on generosity he talks about the Macedonian churches in glowing terms. Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ poured out into their lives they were able to be filled with joy. They were able to give generously, abundantly, even though they were suffering and hard pressed. The Macedonian churches gave above and beyond their ability because they had been overwhelmed by the Lord’s generosity to themselves.

The churches that Paul is talking about understood the concept of vs 8 very clearly.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Jesus left the richness and the riches of heaven and became poor for us in our world. He gave us everything, even His own life, so that we might become rich. Jesus gave His all so that we can be heirs together with Christ.

Our Congregation is reaching out to more and more people. More families are joining us. Together with this there is a pressing need, a growing need for greater pastoral care. Your church needs you to be generous, to excel in this grace of giving so that others can be released from the need to work to allow them to serve full time in ministry. As these people take on certain positions everyone benefits. The church benefits as we mature and grow and expand. The Kingdom of God benefits as we have more resources to put into evangelism, outreach and care and nurture and discipleship. The community around us benefits as we can help and support the needy more and more.

It is my prayer that this church, and indeed all churches in this land, be known in the world as generous churches. It’s my prayer that you and I are generous - as generous as the Lord has been to us.

Prayer:-

• Ask God to bring a spirit of generosity throughout the churches in this land. Pray for those churches that are struggling financially. Pray for those who have an abundance of untapped wealth. Ask God to release these funds for ministry.


• Pray for the churches in country regions in Australia and for the pastors PIM patrols who minister there. Funds are extremely tight as is the man power to take on ministry projects, outreach events etc. Ask the Lord to send in funds and people to reap the harvest. Ask God to provide more and more PIM patrols and pastors to these areas.

Do It Today

Work out your weekly offering and add 15-20% more. Visit your local bank and organise for that amount to be deducted regularly through direct debit.

Saturday July 10, 2010

Read Psalm 91

I wonder what tomorrow will bring for you? Will it be a blessing for you? As you plan to spend time in the presence of God, what else could it possibly be but a blessing?

But there are many things in life that distract us and cause us to worry, be anxious and to forget God’s abundant blessing in our lives. The writer of the Psalm was in a perilous situation and could have faced death from his enemies. He was sought after, for all the wrong reasons. People wanted him dead.

Praising God is not the first thing that comes to my mind when people are trying to kill me. My first thoughts are run, hide and take on a definitive self protective measure. But what does the Psalmist do? He hides under the wings of the Almighty. He runs to his heavenly Father. He goes to the source of ultimate and eternal protection.

My brother/sister in Jesus. I know there are many things weighing down your heart. I know there are issues and concerns with money, with work, with children, with finding a life partner and so on. But let me encourage you to do as the Psalmist did. Run into the wings of the Almighty. Take refuge in Him. Make the Lord Most High your fortress and shield. Let Him fight the enemy on your behalf.

As for you, be confident for :-

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39.

Tomorrow stand in the Lord’s presence with confidence that God’s love will never leave you. Whatever is burdening your heart is in God’s hands and He will do what’s best. He will never forsake you nor leave you.

Prayer:-

• Pray that God would equip and fill everyone in your congregation as they gather tomorrow. Pray that God’s Spirit and His gifts would be poured out so that all can work for the common good. Pray that everyone would come to church with something to share, something to contribute or something to bless others with. Pray that Christ, our Lord and Saviour will be honoured and exalted tomorrow.


• Pray for the church in North Korea. Believers meet in secret in small groups in underground churches. Pray that these men and women will be able to encourage one another and spur one another to love and good deeds. Pray that they would be protected from the authorities. Pray that the church would grow phenomenally despite the intense persecution.

Do It Today

Prayerfully determine how you can be involved in worship tomorrow (not necessarily up front) by blessing others. Work out what you can bring to the worship service.

Friday July 9, 2010

Read Matthew 14:23-34

It must have been an incredibly amazing scene. The disciples, experienced fishermen and used to the wind and waves, were rowing across the lake in the late of the night.  In the fourth watch of the night, they are startled by a figure on the water. A ghost? A spirit? An apparition? They weren’t sure. They are afraid and alarmed.

But the lonely figure identified Himself as their Lord and Master. Peter, with his normal brashness cries out, “If it is you, tell me to come to you on the water”. And of course Jesus responds, “Come.”

Nervously, Peter gently steps out of the boat towards the water. He cautiously steps forward, one foot after the other, little bit by little bit, inch by inch.  He is nervous. Worried. Still,  he pushes on.

But the wind and waves were too scary. Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to cry out because of the wind and the waves. He was sinking. “Lord Jesus save me!!” he cried out.

How often do we take our eyes off Jesus and worry about the wind and the waves of life raging around us? How often do we begin to sink into the sea of sin as we turn to see the storms around us rather than the outstretched arm of our Saviour and Lord. Our confidence in Jesus waivers and our faith misses a beat. We cry out with Peter, “Lord Jesus, Save me!!.”

As soon as we take our eyes off Jesus and look to the storms in our life, our words will reflect our heart. Our words will change from uplifting and encouraging to self protective, to self promotion, and the like.  If we keep our eyes on Jesus we will weather the storm and stand strong. If we keep our eyes on Jesus we will always be mindful of the power our words have in the lives of others.

Prayer:-

• Pray for the work of Student Life across the nation in various uni campuses. Pray that these men and women will have many opportunities to make disciples. Pray that many will come to know Christ through their witness.


• Pray for the work of India Bible Mission as David Jerald and his team seek to bring the word of life to students and young adults. Pray that the new converts will be discipled and equipped to minister and serve. Pray for David as he heads up this blessed ministry.

Do It Today

What are you going to do by faith today?