Penny For Your Thoughts
Our Small Group discussion went well last night although we didn't get into all the topics because the bulk of our time was spent on giving. Not surprising since the most frequent topic in Scripture is related to material things. God knew where man's heart tends to lead him and what captures his mind.
I used to speak to church groups about Christians and Money. You always get the same sort of questions. "Do you pay tithes before or after taxes?" "I want to give, but my spouse doesn't." "If I give money to a needy person, it that the same as tithing?" "Does the New Testament teach tithing at all?
Our group is mostly made up of mature believers who know that we live under GRACE and begging the differences in the above questions misses the mark of where God would lead us. My favorite verses on giving are ones you probably have memorized without even thinking about it.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
2 Cor 9:7 "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
These verses are the perfect model for giving. God gave out of love, and He gave lavishly! He planned it long before you and I were ever born. Then we are told He loves a cheerful giver. "Cheerful" is translated from the Greek work "hilaros," joyfully, with enthusiasm, merry, haqppily, etc. Hilaros can also mean hilariously! Oh, how I love that. So, plan what to give ahead of time, not being pressured, use the tithe only as an example and give as and act of joyful worship. Does your planned giving make you giddily, hilariously happy? If not, give it a try!
You know money and material issues are the root of all evil according to God's Word. The same is true of marital discord, loss of sleep, worry, etc. It's amazing how easily money and stuff can rule our lives. I'm as guilty as anyone else... but God is working on me about these things and I find real peace and lots of joy trusting Him to lead to fiscal and spiritual health.
As for giving, you can also give of your time, prayers, service, friendship, hope, love and a myriad of sundry things as you become more "other" centered than self centered. There's a lot of joy in losing yourself in such a way
Well, I need to fix Richard's dinner and get ready to go to Giveback. No time to proof read, so bear with any typos, please.
I used to speak to church groups about Christians and Money. You always get the same sort of questions. "Do you pay tithes before or after taxes?" "I want to give, but my spouse doesn't." "If I give money to a needy person, it that the same as tithing?" "Does the New Testament teach tithing at all?
Our group is mostly made up of mature believers who know that we live under GRACE and begging the differences in the above questions misses the mark of where God would lead us. My favorite verses on giving are ones you probably have memorized without even thinking about it.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
2 Cor 9:7 "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
These verses are the perfect model for giving. God gave out of love, and He gave lavishly! He planned it long before you and I were ever born. Then we are told He loves a cheerful giver. "Cheerful" is translated from the Greek work "hilaros," joyfully, with enthusiasm, merry, haqppily, etc. Hilaros can also mean hilariously! Oh, how I love that. So, plan what to give ahead of time, not being pressured, use the tithe only as an example and give as and act of joyful worship. Does your planned giving make you giddily, hilariously happy? If not, give it a try!
You know money and material issues are the root of all evil according to God's Word. The same is true of marital discord, loss of sleep, worry, etc. It's amazing how easily money and stuff can rule our lives. I'm as guilty as anyone else... but God is working on me about these things and I find real peace and lots of joy trusting Him to lead to fiscal and spiritual health.
As for giving, you can also give of your time, prayers, service, friendship, hope, love and a myriad of sundry things as you become more "other" centered than self centered. There's a lot of joy in losing yourself in such a way
Well, I need to fix Richard's dinner and get ready to go to Giveback. No time to proof read, so bear with any typos, please.
© 2006 by Iona Hoeppner
| 12:49 PM
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