It is better to give....
Good morning and welcome back for another LIFE Nugget. I have been pondering the proposed subject of today's post for a while. The idea has its genesis in some of my personal spiritual journey. As I have said before, I spent the whole of 2006 reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in my devotional time. I have blogged about conclusions before, so this may not be anything new.
At LIFEhouse West, we talk a lot about helping people, discover, develop, and demonstrate a Christ centered life. In our small group meetings we have been talking about the discovery and development aspects. I want to blog about the third one because it is here, for the most part, that the Christ centered life connects with the outside world..... It must be demonstrated.
The question that logically comes next is how. How do you show others what you have experienced internally. I think that is done by giving. Now this is the point where most people, out of some type of conditioned response, start to think about money. Sadly, much to my dismay, most church leaders have made it just about money. They have done a disservice to the rest of us. The idea of giving financially, while critical, is just one facet of what we could call one of the crown jewels of Christian maturity.
We see that in John 3:16 that God "loved us so much that he gave." Simple words, but so powerful. If giving, as I see it, is the goal to strive for, then giving must have some basic characteristics. First, it has to be done with the right motive or mindset. That being that giving points back to Jesus. We do not give to show ourselves to be more spiritual, but because we want to emulate Jesus and point people to him. Second, we should give where ever it is needed. We must be willing to see what needs done and act, or give. Third, it must be motivated by love, pure and simple.
I said earlier that this is not just about money. So what is it about? Yes, money plays a role, but there is more. Will we give of out time to a worthy cause? Will we give of our abilities to help someone? Will we give away parts of the Kingdom of God that lie in us to others? It is in the ability to give and the willingness to serve others that a church can truly demonstrate the love of Christ. The same applies for individuals.
Part of the dream for LIFEhouse West is that it becomes a place that serves the community, that gives. I do not mean that it is a place that just throws money at problems. Rather, it is a place that uses resources to make a tangible difference. It can be found in assisting the elderly, widows, single moms, people who need education, or just an ear to listen. To give of ourselves to benefit the community that we are in.
We have an opportunity to serve, to give. I am going, who wants to come along?
At LIFEhouse West, we talk a lot about helping people, discover, develop, and demonstrate a Christ centered life. In our small group meetings we have been talking about the discovery and development aspects. I want to blog about the third one because it is here, for the most part, that the Christ centered life connects with the outside world..... It must be demonstrated.
The question that logically comes next is how. How do you show others what you have experienced internally. I think that is done by giving. Now this is the point where most people, out of some type of conditioned response, start to think about money. Sadly, much to my dismay, most church leaders have made it just about money. They have done a disservice to the rest of us. The idea of giving financially, while critical, is just one facet of what we could call one of the crown jewels of Christian maturity.
We see that in John 3:16 that God "loved us so much that he gave." Simple words, but so powerful. If giving, as I see it, is the goal to strive for, then giving must have some basic characteristics. First, it has to be done with the right motive or mindset. That being that giving points back to Jesus. We do not give to show ourselves to be more spiritual, but because we want to emulate Jesus and point people to him. Second, we should give where ever it is needed. We must be willing to see what needs done and act, or give. Third, it must be motivated by love, pure and simple.
I said earlier that this is not just about money. So what is it about? Yes, money plays a role, but there is more. Will we give of out time to a worthy cause? Will we give of our abilities to help someone? Will we give away parts of the Kingdom of God that lie in us to others? It is in the ability to give and the willingness to serve others that a church can truly demonstrate the love of Christ. The same applies for individuals.
Part of the dream for LIFEhouse West is that it becomes a place that serves the community, that gives. I do not mean that it is a place that just throws money at problems. Rather, it is a place that uses resources to make a tangible difference. It can be found in assisting the elderly, widows, single moms, people who need education, or just an ear to listen. To give of ourselves to benefit the community that we are in.
We have an opportunity to serve, to give. I am going, who wants to come along?
posted by PJ | 6:18 AM
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