The Church, God, and Money

You may have noticed in recent days that Northside is running behind on budget as it relates to giving. While there is no reason for panic at this point, it is something that we want to pay attention to. Our church survives on the gifts of her members alone. We do not receive money from the denomination or an association. We are a self-supporting body, which means what we give is what we can use to minister to our community. As is the case with any organization, we have certain cost that are fixed. Therefore, when we give less, we end up doing less ministry. So, let me encourage you to be faithful to the tithe and even give beyond that.

In first Corinthians 9:6-15 Paul speaks to the church about giving. I’ll not write out the whole passage for you here, but point out several of the points that Paul makes. First, he calls us to give generously. He calls our attention to the law of the harvest in verse 6, “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Simply put, if we are faithful with our resources, God will trust us with more resources. However, if we are unfaithful, that will be reflected in our harvest as well.

Second, Paul calls us to give joyfully. He says that we are not to give out of compulsion (v. 7), because God loves a cheerful giver. Giving and money are always a sticky topic. There are those who believe that the church only wants your money. However, is there any force in life that grabs our attention more than money? God warns us over and over of the dangers of money. He also offers us generosity as a solution to greed. So, we want a proper relationship with money where we view it as a resource as oppose to something that can somehow give us life. When our understanding of money is correct, we can then give joyfully.

Finally, Paul tells us to give expectantly. There are several things that will happen when we are generous. First, God says he will, “multiply your seed for sowing” (v. 10). Second, He says you will be, “enriched in every way to be generous” (v. 11). And third, He says, “they will glorify God because of your submission” (v. 13). Generosity has a trickledown effect. Giving will be a blessing to you as your relationship with money and with God are put in proper perspective. Needs will be met because of your generosity. And, people will praise God because of your generosity.

Do not think that I am proclaiming some prosperity Gospel. Notice what the end goal is in all of this. The goal is that needs are met and that people come to know God. It is not about you or me getting rich, it is about us walking in blessing. Money is a tool, not the source of life. So, let me encourage you, give generously, give joyfully, and give expectantly.

Honored to be your pastor,

Darrell

A Gospel Advance

In 1986, at the end of my 8^th grade year, the movie “Top Gun” was released. A movie that would go on to capture the imagination of many with its quotable quotes like, “I feel the need… …the need for speed.” For a young man with a sense of adventure burning in his heart, this movie struck just about every chord possible. The themes of the movie included the unlikely hero, the rebel whose skill could not be overlooked, overcoming tragedy, life and death situations, and of course ultimate victory (there was even a love story involved for ladies). I am not sure if I should say this proudly or in shame, but I personally saw this movie dozens of times in high school and college.

“Top Gun” was no doubt a movie that made a generational impact. However, the movies are not the only place that we can look for such adventure and excitement. The Bible presents us with the same sense of adventure, risk, loss, and ultimate victory that many movies do. Specifically, the book of Acts reads like an action thriller. Somehow, no matter how many times I read this book, the fires of my heart are stoked. To see the Gospel spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the known earth at that time is simply exciting. To see those early believers risk it all with a fraction of the understanding the we have today is stunning.

It occurs to me that we need to see a gospel advance of New Testament proportions if we are going to see anything change in our day and age. So, we must ask ourselves, how did they do it? Why did they do it? And, how can we do it?  It seems that the answer to these questions lie in large part in Acts 2:42-47.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

A quick survey tells us they were committed to the word and to each other, they celebrated Christ together, they were a praying group, they were amazed by what God was doing, and they took care of one another. As they were faithful day by day, God continued to add to their number. Simply put, they were doing life together. I pray that we can be this sort of a church, that we might reach those who have yet to come to the place of trusting Christ. Let us keep pressing on until there is a disturbance in the eastern sky.

Honored to be your pastor,

Darrell