Tiping or Tithing?

In His book, "The Hole in our Gospel" Richard Stearns President of World Vision states that the average American Church goer gives about 2.58% of his/her income. Of that small amount only 2% goes to missions. Tithing was part of the O.T. practice intended to 1. Provide for the service of God's House and take care of the needs of those who served there (Levites and Priests) and 2. To foster dependence upon God by making people realize that everything is the Lord's anyway but by giving it back to Him they were putting their faith into practice. Tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament as the overriding principle is to "give according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have" (2Cor.8:12). I was really surprised to learn that while incomes have generally risen since 1935 in America ( We have more)giving as a percentage of income has declined steadily (We give less). We seem to be oblivious to the reality that all we have is from the Lord. No wonder Jesus spoke more on money than any other topic. He knew our temptation in the face of financial prosperity is to abandon our dependence upon Him and to trust in money. Jesus warned us that we cannot serve God and money (Mt. 6). Paul also said that the Love of money is the root of all evil (1Tim.6:6-10) and even cautioned the rich not to trust in money (1Tim.6:17-19).

All of this is to say that God has richly blessed us and we should begin to ask ourselves "why?" Is it merely for our own indulgence, significance, convenience, and pleasure? Not hardly. God entrusts us with resources to use for advancing His Purposes. I think it's time for us to start asking what we should be doing with the resources God has given us so that we can further the spread of the Gospel.

I'm thinking through our own giving and the amount our church is giving to missions. I'm guessing that there needs to be some re-alignment in my house and in the church. Why? For the glory of God through the spread of the Gospel.

Lord, help us catch a vision for what we can do to impact the world with the Gospel. Forgive us for treating your blessings flippantly and selfishly.

Think about the fact that more is spent on bottled water in America than on missions. And we have the cleanest water in the world. Thousands of children die each day from the effects of poor water and we spend more on the luxury of bottled water than on alleviating the needs of those who truly need clean water...who truly need the "Living Water".

Confession is good

Reading Nehemiah 9:3 and I did a double take--"While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God." First of all, I noticed their respect for the Word of "the Lord their God." They stood for a very long time while it was being read. They were willing to stand to hear it while most of us are not even sitting to read it. They understood that the Scripture is the word of "the Lord their God"--a message from the Almighty--worthy of listening to. Most of us are more interested in the commodities markets, the stock market, the NBA playoff scores, the latest gossip, recent updates on the oil spill in the gulf, or the Hottest Hollywood Happenings. Lord help us to see the relevance and importance of your Word.

The most jolting reality from this text for me this time as I read it was the fact that for one fourth of the day the people responded to the reading of the word by "confessing their sins" and worshiping. I deliberately spent some time in confession this morning and I'm telling you it was not even close to one fourth of the day, maybe closer to one fourth of an hour. This makes me think that there must be a great gap in my understanding of how wretched I really am. I realize that exposure to the "light of God's word" is essential for exposing the darkness of my soul. The rest of Chapter nine is a recounting of God's marvelous mercy as He graciously dealt with the rebellious people. He is "Gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness" (9:17b).

Spend a little time in God's Word today and let it expose the darkness of your soul. Then turn to the Lord, confess your sin and experience what it means to be whole.

Never Give Up

Sat here at the Moody Pastor's Conference Listening to a challenging message from 2Corinthians 4:1-6 where we were given several reasons from the text to "Never Give Up." The context is that in 2Corinthians 3 we are told of the marvelous theology of the God's glorious salvation. It is this theology that is to inform our conduct. As always, belief determines behavior. We were told that our "talk talks and our walk talks but our walk speaks louder than our talk so if our walkie walkie doesn't match our talkie talkie then we should stop talking the talk."I was particularly gripped by the truths of verse 1 where Paul says that "Since he has this ministry as he has received mercy he does not lose heart. What a blessed thing to ponder--God's mercy in rescuing us and bringing us into ministry. Grace is getting what we don't deserve. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. We all deserve condemnation and for any of us to be in the ministry is a testimony of God's mercy. I need to reflect upon the fact that ministry is a privilege and not a burden. Do I see ministry as something God has given or something I've "got" to do? Pastor Ford shared a story of a soldier who returned to his neighborhood in Chicago. The folks said, "That's so sad that you left your arm in Iraq." The young soldier kept insisting that he never "left" his arm in Iraq, but people kept saying he had. Finally, He told everyone, "I never left my arm in Iraq, I gave my arm in defense of the country I love." Do we have this same sacrificial attitude about ministry--we are giving our lives for Christ's sake?" Ministry is undeserved, it is a privilege.

Paul was also motivated to never give up because of the message--the Gospel. Pastor Ford kept insisting that any adjective placed in front of "Gospel" negates the gospel. We have a great message to share, but we should never give up. Great truth.

Frankly, the message was a delight and a challenge to listen to because the pastor was almost speaking faster than I could think. It was a powerful and challenging message.

Looking forward to James McDonald and the Chicago Tabernacle Choir tonight.

Lead in worship by Ron and Gary Matthews all week and they are doing a superb job.

Resting in the Lord

Ever find yourself asking, "Why in the world did I ever commit to doing this?" It seems that many of us tend to get over committed and then frustrated. We get "in over our head" to prove ourselves, to make a big impact, to please others. If we aren't careful we can spend our entire lives chasing after accomplishments and approval--and never learn to truly trust the Lord and enjoy real rest.

I love the powerful encouragement I find from David's words in Psalm 131. Near the end of his life this "man after God's own heart" has come to terms with what it means to truly trust the Lord.

"My heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters or things too difficult for me." He's come to a point in life when he realizes that he isn't that important. He isn't stuck on himself or focused on making it big. He deliberately chooses not to involve himself in "great matters or things too difficult". How much of our lives are spent trying to impress others, to make a big splash as we involve ourselves in "great matters" and "things too difficult for us?" What a freeing perspective to give up on all that vanity and just live to please the Lord. David says, "Surely I have composed and quieted my soul." Now that has a great appeal to folks running from pillar to post trying to get everything done, doing great things, and trying to cut a big path in this world. What words of rest, of comfort, of true peace. Then in a graphic word picture He gives us a window into his soul--"Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me." What a beautiful picture of contentment. He finishes the Psalm with a call for Israel to turn to the same source of contentment that he does--"...Hope in the Lord."

Father teach me to give up trying to impress others, trying to do "great things" and to be involved in "matters too difficult for me." Lord help me to trust in you to the point that I'm not striving to be noticed, to be recognized, to make a big splash, or please others. Don't let me cave in to the pressure to perform, but let me rest in the limitations of my humanity and enjoy the blessedness of humble dependence.

Open My Eyes

I don't pride myself in having the greatest "intuition" or sense of what is going on in other people. Frankly, I feel that sometimes I have a numbed sensitivity to what others are going through. As a pastor this is not a good thing since I'm around hurting and troubled people a lot. I just keep asking the Lord to increase my awareness and sensitivity.

I also find that insensitivity can inhibit spiritual growth when we fail to understand what God is trying to say to us from His Word. I find it intriguing that the disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-ff) were clueless to the fact that it was Jesus they were walking and conversing with--"But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him" (vs.16). Later the text tells us that "And their eyes were opened" (vs.31). Jesus was explaining to them about Himself from "Moses and the prophets" (vs.27)yet it wasn't until their eyes were opened that they understood.

We are not different from these disciples in that our eyes must be opened to understand the truths of God. We need to have our eyes opened. So join me in praying with the Psalmist 119:18--"Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things out of your law."

Severe Mercy

Watched the movie "Letters to God" last night. Realistic portrayal of the struggle people of faith in the face of suffering. The movie stirs all sorts of emotions--sorrow, joy, hope. A powerful testimony of faith on the part of someone so young when faced by something so difficult. Lessons of being honest with God, accepting difficulty as well as good things from His hand, truly loving others even when we are hurting ourselves, courage to persevere, the power of God to change lives, the importance of prayer. I came away with a profound appreciation for my own wife and children.

The teaches some hard lessons in an age of instant gratification where God is more often viewed as our "genie" who is suppose to grant our wishes. No, the road of following Christ often takes us down some unwanted paths--unwanted, but not unnecessary from God's perspective. I come away reminded of my own aversion for pain and yet convinced that God's severe mercy is often necessary to conform us into His image and to bring Him Glory.

At issue for every believer is not whether not we will suffer, go through trials, or experience tribulations. The question is only when and to what degree? Can I trust God to work all things together for good--not necessarily as I define it (Ro.8:28)? Perhaps a bit frightening and yet a freeing prospect. When I don't understand and I can't trace His hand I pray that I will trust His heart (Romans 8:32-39).

God Heal Our Land

Yesterday was the national day of Prayer here in the U.S. I deliberately chose not to mention 2Chronicles 7:14. Today I read this verse as part of my time in the Word and I'm thinking of how easy it is for me to join everyone in wanting God to Bless America, but how easy it is for me to fail to realize that God is not in the habit of blessing wickedness. 2Chronicles 7:14 strikes the appropriate balance by showing that Repentance leads to Revival; Holiness leads to Health; Forgiveness is the path to Fruitfulness.

Lord, the call of this verse is for "My People" to humble themselves, pray, seek your face, and turn from their wicked ways. Lord help me see that this humility and repentance thing must begin with me. I can see the sins of others, but help me begin by confessing my sins and then the sins of our country. Help us all to see that the path to healing is reached on the road of humility.

National Day of Prayer

In 1Timothy 2:1-2 Paul urges Timothy that "prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." I believe there is a battle going on for the heart and soul of America. The United States of America has come to a pivotal place in her History. Will we continue down the road of escalating moral decadence? Will we persist on the current trajectory towards a completely socialistic state? Will we maintain that "Tolerance" is the supreme virtue or return to "Truth"--as contained in the Bible as the governing principle of our land?

America has become a cesspool of sin with an ever increasing tolerance for decadence. We witness corruption, extortion, dishonesty, bribery,favoritism, and blatant disregard for what is right at every level of society. What is most disturbing about the prevalence of evil is the apparent apathy the majority of people have towards it. We hear politicians excusing their unethical, immoral, and illegal activities by saying, "That's the way the game is played" or "Everyone does this."

It is truly time to "humble ourselves and pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways" (2Chronicles 7:14).

If You Could Have Anything What Would You Ask For?

Just a few days ago I found myself watching part of the Disney Movie "Aladdin" with others who are technically "too old" to watch animated Disney movies. The classic tale of good versus evil ends with Aladdin wishing for the Genie to be free. I find it hard to believe that anyone who has ever watched the movie or read any tale of "genies in a lamp" has ever done so without wondering--"What would I wish for?" If you had three wishes what would you wish for--riches, wealth, honor, fame, health, or something else? What if you only had ONE wish. With only one wish the choice might seem increasingly difficult.

That was the dilema that Solomon had when God said, "Ask what I shall give you" (2Chron.1:7). If you could have anything what would you ask for? I'm blown away by the wisdom and humility of Solomon because he asked for WISDOM. This guy had a healthy perspective on what matters most. Because he was humble and simple in his request God granted him a bunch of stuff he didn't ask for--wealth, honor, health, victory over his enemies. Unfortunately Solomon's wisdom and wealth didn't prevent him from making some poor choices along the way. He went the way of hedonism, self-indulgence, and idolatry, but eventually concluded--"The conclusion when all has been heard, is Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person" Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Lord, help us to keep the "main thing the main thing" and avoid the mistakes of Solomon who chased down a bunch of "rabbit trails" until he finally realized that Fearing you and obeying you is what really matters.