I attended my first congregational meeting at the church I am currently working at this past week and it was a real eye opener. The topic of discussion was the proposed budget for 2011 and the cost of the new building. Members of the church had differing opinions about how much we are spending and how well the church is being a steward of the money given.
Two things struck me at this meeting. The first was the comments from our head pastor. He told the congregation that it's not how much we're spending (as long as we are spending within the places God has placed on our heart and not flippantly), it's about our heart to give. The second thing that struck me was a question raised by one of the members of the church. First, I have no beef with this question. It just made me think. This member probably gives more than ten percent and I have served beside this member and they have a strong heart for the Lord. The member asked something along the lines "How much will you ask us to give?" in reference to fund raisers and the building campaign, but at this moment, I thought about if we asked God that question?
As much as I complain about money and spending it. I keep an awful lot and spend an awful lot and give very little to causes other than myself. The first time I thought about tithing after entering this new position, I thought that it was a ludicrous amount to give when I am paying rent, insurance, student loans, groceries, etc. Then I looked at my spending over the last few months. I'll open up a bit with you. I gave about $70 to charity and spent more than double that at restaurants when I didn't feel like cooking. If I just didn't eat out and gave that money to God. I would be pretty close to ten percent.
My conviction wasn't just about money. When the church member asked how much more we should give, the answer that God dropped almost immediately in my heart was - more. Jesus asks for our lives. The money that we are given, the roof over our heads, the love that we receive from our friends and family, the very breath you just took in are all gifts from our Creator. Acts 17:24-25 (emphasis added) says:
'The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else"Nothing that we have is our own from the moment we are born. We have made the decision to try and take it from God's hands. Our culture tells us to look after ourselves. Make sure you have the best house and car and a lot of money so we can buy nice things and go on nice vacations, but Jesus lived radically different. Jesus says:
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. ~ Luke 14:26-27I don't believe he is saying to absolutely hate your family, but in order to follow me you must give up everything, wealth, family, fear, pride, independence, the world. He wants your life, not because he wants to take it away from you, but because it's already his. He wants you to have the fullness of the life you are given. Jesus knows how we are meant to live, but we are trying to run the show. It's like we are trying to drive down the road from the passenger seat without the keys to the car. We won't get anywhere.
Jesus wants our entire being. He wants us to give up everything to follow him. One of my favorite scriptures is Matthew 5:49 - "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Some translations say be holy. To be perfect means to be made complete in Christ, lacking nothing. This is only obtained through a relationship with Christ and it will never be reached while we remain in our earthly bodies. How much should you give? The answer will always be more. There will always be something that you haven't given fully to God. It might be letting go of a certain sin, of fear, of a desire to be a part of the crowd, of money, but ultimately he wants your entire life, because it belongs to Him. Our money belongs to Him. Our relationships belong to Him. Our sin he already carried on his back. Christ offers us the chance to be made complete and to live out the life he has created us for. Jesus says:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~ Matt. 6:19-21God dwells within our hearts and provides a treasure that is eternal. Nothing on this earth will last. I challenge you this week to think about the areas in your life that you haven't given fully to God and pray for Him to take it away from so that you may more fully embrace the life he has for you. For me it's money and probably a bunch of other things, but I will start there. If your comfortable sharing, comment on the link on facebook or below about what you need to give up and we can encourage one another. I talked about a similar concept in The Cost if you want to check that out. Have a blessed day!
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