2 Cor. 9:6-12 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. [7] Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,
Last month I was audited by the IRS. Can you believe it? On December 22nd I went in for the dreaded examination. They wanted to go back a couple of years because they thought I had too many deductions. Here is what happened.
A couple of years ago our congregation was experiencing financial difficulty. We had just expanded our facility and remodeled the building in expectation of numerical growth. We had also increased our staff to be better prepared to minister to those who would be coming in the near future. Money became very tight for a season and I felt God leading me to give back my salary. So I did. For three months I took a part time job making next to nothing. Each month, I would receive my salary from the church, deposit it in my account, and then turn around and write a check back to the church for the same.
So, over the next three months I gave thousands to the church. I learned a new lesson in God’s faithfulness. I had never seen anything like what I was about to experience. We bagan to receive gifts from every conceiveable direction. A previous mortgage company owing us a good size some, partner churches sending us gifts, friends giving money, I could go on…I began to go out to the mail box during those three months looking for what God was going to do next. I wrote down each time something would happen. The list grew longer and longer.
When the church came through the difficult time and it was ok for me to start receiving my pay again, I added up all that God had provided during the three months, it was more than I would have earned had I not given my salary back. Shortly after that, we were offered to buy a friend’s house that was moving to Georgia. They thought that they were selling it to someone else but then the deal fell through. They called me and offered me the house at a great price for a quick sell. I agreed and sold my house in two days. What I did not know was that I would make $100,000.00 profit throught the appreciation of my house.
I could tell you more but I think you see my lesson. God says that our giving is like sowing seed. Sow it in faith. Sow it in love. If you give generously, your Father will bless you for it. I have seen this over and over again. May God bless you as you give to Him.
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Psalm 37: 25-26
By the way, remember the IRS? The guy sat there going through all the checks that I had written over the years and I waited and waited, He added and added. He left the room and then finally came back. He said, “Mr. Bennett, we owe you money”. Great Christmas present huh?
Chris
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Monday, January 09, 2006
the heart of the matter
You must give 10 percent. Is this the teaching of the New Testament? It is clearly taught in the Old Testament.
Let me be very clear! I'm not suggesting we try and give less. I am not saying that tithing is unbiblical. I do it and I recommend it. Instead, I want to take a fresh look at the "New Testament's" tough-yet-fair starting place for giving.
Please know that I have always given, and will continue to give "at least" 10 percent of my income as my guideline for obedience. But the more I study the New Testament, the more I see a different standard. It deals, not so much with amounts, as it does the heart.
Jesus' teaching on tithing is limited to two comments. One was to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23 also recorded in Luke 11:42, where Jesus criticized them for tithing but not practicing justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus did not suggest that the Pharisees stop tithing. Instead, He attacked a self-righteous heart motivation for tithing.
Jesus also mentions tithing in Luke 18:12 where He mimics a Pharisee, saying, "I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." Once again, He does not speak against tithing but rather says that self-righteous activities do not add up to pleasing God.
Peter, Paul, and James don't even mention tithing in their letters. So, if the New Testament is silent on tithing as the "guideline", does it offer another?
It may be tucked away in Luke 21:1-4, the familiar story of Jesus observing "the rich" and a "poor widow" putting their gifts into the treasury. Jesus said the widow "put in more than all" the rich givers even though she gave only "two very small copper coins." Why? Because "she gave out of her poverty" whereas the rich gave "out of their surplus". Jesus blesses giving that is sacrificial and from the heart, no matter what the amount. If we give "only" out of surplus, we may be missing the point.
If 10 percent is the "only" goal in giving, then consider what happens to someone I know who earns $1200 per month, or $14,400 per year. To tithe, he would give $120 each month, leaving $1080 to live on. His rent for an extremely modest apartment is $650 per month. It's tough to raise two kids on that income with or without tithing. This person, like all of us, is commanded to give sacrificially. But for him, giving even $80 a month "might" be a sacrificial gift. Will God bless him if he tithes? Yes! I have seen Him do it over and over for those who do. I’m just saying that a "full tithe" may not be his starting point for God to bless him. It also would not be his stopping point as he grows in his giving. Growing in generosity is the point, right?
Another friend earns $250,000 yearly. Like the other person, he is a growing believer who wants to honor Christ in his giving. If he gave 10 percent of his income, that would leave $225,000 for living expenses.Do you see my point? Is my $250,000 friend "off the hook" if he tithes? No. Most of us would say he could do more and should do more. By the way, I know he does. But many more well-to-do Christians don't.
C.S. Lewis put it well when he said, "I'm afraid biblical charity is more than merely giving away that which we could afford to do without anyway." I agree and I believe Jesus does as well.
Paul had opportunity to teach giving 10 percent, and as a former Pharisee we would have expected him to. But in 1 Cor. 16:1-4, "about the collection for God's people" at Jerusalem, he does not mention tithing. Instead, he commands believers to set aside gifts "in keeping with their income" on the first day of every week.
Paul is even more insistent on heart-felt sacrificial giving in 2 Cor. 8:3 when he encourages the Corinthians to emulate the Macedonians who gave "as much as they were able, and even beyond." In 2 Cor. 8:7, he exhorts the Corinthians to "excel" in giving. Again, instead of setting up tithing as the standard, Paul, like Jesus, seems to have a broader, more far-reaching standard in mind.
So, if the New Testament does not focus on the 10 as a prescribed fixed percentage, then how much? I say, give "out of your heart," not merely your surplus. And grow or "excel" in your generosity throughout your entire life. I believe this pleases God.
-Today’s thoughts adapted from an article in Discipleship Journal
Chris
Let me be very clear! I'm not suggesting we try and give less. I am not saying that tithing is unbiblical. I do it and I recommend it. Instead, I want to take a fresh look at the "New Testament's" tough-yet-fair starting place for giving.
Please know that I have always given, and will continue to give "at least" 10 percent of my income as my guideline for obedience. But the more I study the New Testament, the more I see a different standard. It deals, not so much with amounts, as it does the heart.
Jesus' teaching on tithing is limited to two comments. One was to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23 also recorded in Luke 11:42, where Jesus criticized them for tithing but not practicing justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus did not suggest that the Pharisees stop tithing. Instead, He attacked a self-righteous heart motivation for tithing.
Jesus also mentions tithing in Luke 18:12 where He mimics a Pharisee, saying, "I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." Once again, He does not speak against tithing but rather says that self-righteous activities do not add up to pleasing God.
Peter, Paul, and James don't even mention tithing in their letters. So, if the New Testament is silent on tithing as the "guideline", does it offer another?
It may be tucked away in Luke 21:1-4, the familiar story of Jesus observing "the rich" and a "poor widow" putting their gifts into the treasury. Jesus said the widow "put in more than all" the rich givers even though she gave only "two very small copper coins." Why? Because "she gave out of her poverty" whereas the rich gave "out of their surplus". Jesus blesses giving that is sacrificial and from the heart, no matter what the amount. If we give "only" out of surplus, we may be missing the point.
If 10 percent is the "only" goal in giving, then consider what happens to someone I know who earns $1200 per month, or $14,400 per year. To tithe, he would give $120 each month, leaving $1080 to live on. His rent for an extremely modest apartment is $650 per month. It's tough to raise two kids on that income with or without tithing. This person, like all of us, is commanded to give sacrificially. But for him, giving even $80 a month "might" be a sacrificial gift. Will God bless him if he tithes? Yes! I have seen Him do it over and over for those who do. I’m just saying that a "full tithe" may not be his starting point for God to bless him. It also would not be his stopping point as he grows in his giving. Growing in generosity is the point, right?
Another friend earns $250,000 yearly. Like the other person, he is a growing believer who wants to honor Christ in his giving. If he gave 10 percent of his income, that would leave $225,000 for living expenses.Do you see my point? Is my $250,000 friend "off the hook" if he tithes? No. Most of us would say he could do more and should do more. By the way, I know he does. But many more well-to-do Christians don't.
C.S. Lewis put it well when he said, "I'm afraid biblical charity is more than merely giving away that which we could afford to do without anyway." I agree and I believe Jesus does as well.
Paul had opportunity to teach giving 10 percent, and as a former Pharisee we would have expected him to. But in 1 Cor. 16:1-4, "about the collection for God's people" at Jerusalem, he does not mention tithing. Instead, he commands believers to set aside gifts "in keeping with their income" on the first day of every week.
Paul is even more insistent on heart-felt sacrificial giving in 2 Cor. 8:3 when he encourages the Corinthians to emulate the Macedonians who gave "as much as they were able, and even beyond." In 2 Cor. 8:7, he exhorts the Corinthians to "excel" in giving. Again, instead of setting up tithing as the standard, Paul, like Jesus, seems to have a broader, more far-reaching standard in mind.
So, if the New Testament does not focus on the 10 as a prescribed fixed percentage, then how much? I say, give "out of your heart," not merely your surplus. And grow or "excel" in your generosity throughout your entire life. I believe this pleases God.
-Today’s thoughts adapted from an article in Discipleship Journal
Chris
Friday, January 06, 2006
secret to happiness
Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth. 7 After all, we didn't bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. I Tim. 6:6-10
I have been thinking a lot about the concept of contentment lately. Did you know that if you and I, and the rest of this great country we live in, were to stop buying things we don’t need, with money we don’t really have, our economy would suddenly crash? Our entire economy is based upon us not being content. I am bombarded each night with television commercials telling me over and over how much more I must have in order to be happy.
Well, I have learned that stuff doesn’t make me happy. Or have I? Some once said that the secret to real happiness is wanting what you have. Jesus taught us not to worry about trying to get stuff. He said for us to trust our Father to provide for us what we need. Yet we live in a culture that tempts us at every turn to buy, buy, buy. Of course we can really afford it so we are graciously given credit. You know, the little friend in your purse or wallet that enables you to buy stuff you don’t really need with money you don’t really have.
According to USA Today: 55% of divorces are about money; Biggest personal stress factors on people are money; 63% of all bankrupcy are credit cards; 1.5 in 2001 filed bankrupcy and has gone way since; the average balance in 2005 was $10,000 per card; Sears processes 700,000 credit aps per month; Citi bank spends $100,000,000.00 on marketing to high school & college students a year; 1.5 trillion is the debt now on credit cards held by Americans.
I personally believe that a force is at work against our lustful hearts. I believe that we are involved in a struggle beyond what most are aware of. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12
I believe that we have an enemy trying to bring us into slavery and bury us so deep that we can’t even think of being like God. Yes, I am talking about being like God. And what is God like? He is generous! Many cannot truly be generous because they are buried.
It is time for us to open our eyes and see the deception for what it is. Let’s face it. We have more stuff and we are more miserable than ever. It’s funny that the word miserable comes from our word miser. This is because the real way to be happy isn’t to get a bunch of stuff. A famous man once said that it is more blessed to give than receive. He is so right.
This is a year for me to learn to be more content. If I do I wonder if I will be happier? Lord, I love You more than money.
Chris
I have been thinking a lot about the concept of contentment lately. Did you know that if you and I, and the rest of this great country we live in, were to stop buying things we don’t need, with money we don’t really have, our economy would suddenly crash? Our entire economy is based upon us not being content. I am bombarded each night with television commercials telling me over and over how much more I must have in order to be happy.
Well, I have learned that stuff doesn’t make me happy. Or have I? Some once said that the secret to real happiness is wanting what you have. Jesus taught us not to worry about trying to get stuff. He said for us to trust our Father to provide for us what we need. Yet we live in a culture that tempts us at every turn to buy, buy, buy. Of course we can really afford it so we are graciously given credit. You know, the little friend in your purse or wallet that enables you to buy stuff you don’t really need with money you don’t really have.
According to USA Today: 55% of divorces are about money; Biggest personal stress factors on people are money; 63% of all bankrupcy are credit cards; 1.5 in 2001 filed bankrupcy and has gone way since; the average balance in 2005 was $10,000 per card; Sears processes 700,000 credit aps per month; Citi bank spends $100,000,000.00 on marketing to high school & college students a year; 1.5 trillion is the debt now on credit cards held by Americans.
I personally believe that a force is at work against our lustful hearts. I believe that we are involved in a struggle beyond what most are aware of. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12
I believe that we have an enemy trying to bring us into slavery and bury us so deep that we can’t even think of being like God. Yes, I am talking about being like God. And what is God like? He is generous! Many cannot truly be generous because they are buried.
It is time for us to open our eyes and see the deception for what it is. Let’s face it. We have more stuff and we are more miserable than ever. It’s funny that the word miserable comes from our word miser. This is because the real way to be happy isn’t to get a bunch of stuff. A famous man once said that it is more blessed to give than receive. He is so right.
This is a year for me to learn to be more content. If I do I wonder if I will be happier? Lord, I love You more than money.
Chris
Thursday, January 05, 2006
true riches
Luke 16:11 (NLT) And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
I’ve been talking about fresh attitudes for the coming year. Today, I am beginning a discussion about my attitude toward money. According to Jesus, my attitude about money reveals not only my heart but my ultimate reality as well.
Jesus tells an interesting story concerning money, and at the end of the parable he makes the above statement. I have thought a lot about this statement in the past. I used to think about it in terms of giving the ten percent tithe check each pay period. I would then consider myself trustworthy with worldly wealth, but now I am seeing more.
First, he speaks of being trustworthy with worldly wealth. What does that mean? I would suggest it means at least what I mentioned before but, more than that, I think it is talking about the other ninety percent as well. How does God view being faithful with the assets and resources that he entrusts to me? How does this relate to how I shop for groceries, or at the mall, or even Wal-mart? What about eating out? Giving to people in need outside of my giving to the Lord’s work at the church comes into play as well. There is more to be said about the “ninety” than the “ten”. I know this sounds radical but I believe that it is important to God.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not going to say that you should sell everything you have and give it to the poor (even though a famous man once said that). But I am suggesting a broader discussion about money as it relates to being counted trustworthy. I am now reflecting upon the amount of debt I am carrying, the rate of interest I am paying, and other choices I make with my so called “disposable income”.
Why am I doing this? Because I want to be given true riches, that’s why. Don’t you? Jesus meant what he said, didn’t he? I believe that choices I am making now are in some way determining the blessings and experiences that I will receive from God in eternity. I do not claim to totally understand how this will be evaluated. I am just saying I believe that God is very interested in my financial choices and will reward me according to whatever He considers to be “trustworthy”. I do not even claim to know exactly what true riches are. I just know Jesus said that there are some, and I want to be in on them whatever they are. I could take you on a journey through scripture and show you a lot more, but then this e-mail would get way too long.
Have you thought about your “trustworthiness” lately? Do you expect to receive “true riches” one day? I am seeing myself grow in this area in ’06. I am excited about pleasing God more in this area. I believe there is one core issue that He wants to settle in my heart. I’ll talk about that tomorrow.
Chris
I’ve been talking about fresh attitudes for the coming year. Today, I am beginning a discussion about my attitude toward money. According to Jesus, my attitude about money reveals not only my heart but my ultimate reality as well.
Jesus tells an interesting story concerning money, and at the end of the parable he makes the above statement. I have thought a lot about this statement in the past. I used to think about it in terms of giving the ten percent tithe check each pay period. I would then consider myself trustworthy with worldly wealth, but now I am seeing more.
First, he speaks of being trustworthy with worldly wealth. What does that mean? I would suggest it means at least what I mentioned before but, more than that, I think it is talking about the other ninety percent as well. How does God view being faithful with the assets and resources that he entrusts to me? How does this relate to how I shop for groceries, or at the mall, or even Wal-mart? What about eating out? Giving to people in need outside of my giving to the Lord’s work at the church comes into play as well. There is more to be said about the “ninety” than the “ten”. I know this sounds radical but I believe that it is important to God.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not going to say that you should sell everything you have and give it to the poor (even though a famous man once said that). But I am suggesting a broader discussion about money as it relates to being counted trustworthy. I am now reflecting upon the amount of debt I am carrying, the rate of interest I am paying, and other choices I make with my so called “disposable income”.
Why am I doing this? Because I want to be given true riches, that’s why. Don’t you? Jesus meant what he said, didn’t he? I believe that choices I am making now are in some way determining the blessings and experiences that I will receive from God in eternity. I do not claim to totally understand how this will be evaluated. I am just saying I believe that God is very interested in my financial choices and will reward me according to whatever He considers to be “trustworthy”. I do not even claim to know exactly what true riches are. I just know Jesus said that there are some, and I want to be in on them whatever they are. I could take you on a journey through scripture and show you a lot more, but then this e-mail would get way too long.
Have you thought about your “trustworthiness” lately? Do you expect to receive “true riches” one day? I am seeing myself grow in this area in ’06. I am excited about pleasing God more in this area. I believe there is one core issue that He wants to settle in my heart. I’ll talk about that tomorrow.
Chris
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
inspiring friends
Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. Heb. 10:24-25
What would life be like if you had at least two maybe three people thinking about how to stimulate you spiritually? What if you had others cheering you on in living a life of love and doing good to others? Would your life be different if you could get together regularly and simply be encouraged by a group of friends? If that could really happen, what changes could be possible for you? No friendship is as satisfying as one in which Christ is mentioned often. I don’t know about you, but I need some people to help me grow, to inspire me to really live out this amazing life in Christ.
Inspiring friends pray with and for one another. Friends who never pray together miss one of the finest ingredients of a Christian friendship-an ingredient that is thoroughly established in Scripture. Jesus taught that prayer is both private and corporate-alone and with others. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven" Matt. 18:19 When did you last pray with a friend or a smaller group of Christ-followers?
Having fun is what inspiring friends do as well. They seek to enjoy one another and create situations where laughter is common and gentle teasing can take place. Real joy is only found in the context of relationship. God created us to give and receive enjoyment from one another and our joy is made full as we lighten up, laugh a bit, and allow our God-given senses of humor to develop with our friends. I think this is far too undervalued in Christianity today. We need to laugh more-until our faces hurt and tears come to ours eyes kind of laughter. We need this badly!
At our church we have an environment designed to do all of this. It is called a life group. Our groups are reforming over the next few weeks and will be meeting through Easter until our Spring Break. If you attend our community, let me strongly encourage you to join one. Groups meet weekly, discuss life issues, pray, and build faith in each other’s lives. If you do not attend our church, I hope you can find an atmosphere that offers these things. People who commit themselves to groups like these find the support, encouragement and inspiration to face life and overcome obstacles. I don’t know, maybe you don’t need friends like these, but I do. May God give you some great friends. May your life be lifted and new wind be at your back. And may you know the joy found in one of God’s special gifts-inspiring friends!
Chris
What would life be like if you had at least two maybe three people thinking about how to stimulate you spiritually? What if you had others cheering you on in living a life of love and doing good to others? Would your life be different if you could get together regularly and simply be encouraged by a group of friends? If that could really happen, what changes could be possible for you? No friendship is as satisfying as one in which Christ is mentioned often. I don’t know about you, but I need some people to help me grow, to inspire me to really live out this amazing life in Christ.
Inspiring friends pray with and for one another. Friends who never pray together miss one of the finest ingredients of a Christian friendship-an ingredient that is thoroughly established in Scripture. Jesus taught that prayer is both private and corporate-alone and with others. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven" Matt. 18:19 When did you last pray with a friend or a smaller group of Christ-followers?
Having fun is what inspiring friends do as well. They seek to enjoy one another and create situations where laughter is common and gentle teasing can take place. Real joy is only found in the context of relationship. God created us to give and receive enjoyment from one another and our joy is made full as we lighten up, laugh a bit, and allow our God-given senses of humor to develop with our friends. I think this is far too undervalued in Christianity today. We need to laugh more-until our faces hurt and tears come to ours eyes kind of laughter. We need this badly!
At our church we have an environment designed to do all of this. It is called a life group. Our groups are reforming over the next few weeks and will be meeting through Easter until our Spring Break. If you attend our community, let me strongly encourage you to join one. Groups meet weekly, discuss life issues, pray, and build faith in each other’s lives. If you do not attend our church, I hope you can find an atmosphere that offers these things. People who commit themselves to groups like these find the support, encouragement and inspiration to face life and overcome obstacles. I don’t know, maybe you don’t need friends like these, but I do. May God give you some great friends. May your life be lifted and new wind be at your back. And may you know the joy found in one of God’s special gifts-inspiring friends!
Chris
Monday, January 02, 2006
rewarding relationship?
What is your most rewarding relationship?
Is it your wife?
Best friend?
According to Jesus, it could be someone you would never think.
Having a heart for some people hasn't come naturally for me. It's something I have allowed God to develop in me, and I believe it's the biggest lesson God has been trying to teach my wife and me over the years as we have lived and pastored in different places.
It has been my experience, and I have seen it also in others, that the most challenging, rewarding, fulfilling, and fruitful objective we can have is to give our lives away to others. Yet because this is so important, it is also the most difficult and potentially discouraging thing we can ever do, and the most tested thing. It is not an easy task, and it is a most costly lesson to learn.
Jesus always valued people and not just those who would enhance or benefit Him personally. To be like Him is to love difficult people, marginalized people, and even those who make themselves to be enemies to us. Jesus said…
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” Matt. 5:44-46
Jesus speaks of reward concerning the most challenging relationships-enemies, the poor, the least of these. Jesus possesses the greatest heart for people, and he wants us to feel as he feels, convinced of the paramount importance of giving our lives for others-all of them.
We will be tested in this continually. We will think, “Is it worth it to give my life for people? The cost is just too high.” But if we commit ourselves to this, he will allow us to go through the necessary experiences to build our endurance. He wants to make us like Jesus, so he allows us to go through all kinds of struggles in order to mature us.
For those who learn to love like Christ, God will reward them. That is what I want for you and myself. I want us to live a rewarding life. I am glad that Jesus loved me while I was an unloving, ungrateful, undeserving enemy. Now I am challenged to love in the same manner. I am actively seeking to be like Jesus in this.
Do you have a challenging/rewarding relationship that you need to adopt a new attitude toward?
Chris
Is it your wife?
Best friend?
According to Jesus, it could be someone you would never think.
Having a heart for some people hasn't come naturally for me. It's something I have allowed God to develop in me, and I believe it's the biggest lesson God has been trying to teach my wife and me over the years as we have lived and pastored in different places.
It has been my experience, and I have seen it also in others, that the most challenging, rewarding, fulfilling, and fruitful objective we can have is to give our lives away to others. Yet because this is so important, it is also the most difficult and potentially discouraging thing we can ever do, and the most tested thing. It is not an easy task, and it is a most costly lesson to learn.
Jesus always valued people and not just those who would enhance or benefit Him personally. To be like Him is to love difficult people, marginalized people, and even those who make themselves to be enemies to us. Jesus said…
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” Matt. 5:44-46
Jesus speaks of reward concerning the most challenging relationships-enemies, the poor, the least of these. Jesus possesses the greatest heart for people, and he wants us to feel as he feels, convinced of the paramount importance of giving our lives for others-all of them.
We will be tested in this continually. We will think, “Is it worth it to give my life for people? The cost is just too high.” But if we commit ourselves to this, he will allow us to go through the necessary experiences to build our endurance. He wants to make us like Jesus, so he allows us to go through all kinds of struggles in order to mature us.
For those who learn to love like Christ, God will reward them. That is what I want for you and myself. I want us to live a rewarding life. I am glad that Jesus loved me while I was an unloving, ungrateful, undeserving enemy. Now I am challenged to love in the same manner. I am actively seeking to be like Jesus in this.
Do you have a challenging/rewarding relationship that you need to adopt a new attitude toward?
Chris
Sunday, January 01, 2006
fresh attitude
I have been talking a lot about attitudes lately-fresh attitudes that bring new energy and depth to our lives. Here is a verse that shows me a fresh way of approaching my relationships this year.
"For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus" Phil. 1:8
I want everything in my relationships with my friends to reflect what Paul says in this verse. When I'm thinking about others, I don't want to be critical, judge them, and tear them down in my thoughts. I want to think of them and long for them with the love of Jesus. When I pray for them, I want to pray with the affection of Christ. When I spend time with them, I want to show Christ's affection for them.
When you read Paul’s letters, you can see the priority that he placed on his relationships. He valued them greatly and he built them over years and through the ups and downs. He longed for his friends when he was separated by miles or circumstance. I wonder if in today’s culture, Paul would be distracted by all of the current “entertainment allure” and devalue his relationships. Would he be able to keep his friendship focus? I confess that in the midst of daily pressures and temptations, my desire to love others with Christ's affection often wanes. I have often allowed my affections to be turned toward selfish interests instead of really loving like Jesus did.
In the coming year I see myself choosing a better attitude. I want to take the initiative to stay in touch, even when others sometimes fail to do so with me. I want to ask friends what issues they are struggling with, and listen carefully as they respond. I’ll share my struggles with them and tell them how God is at work in the midst of them. I want to take off my own masks and be transparent and encourage others to do the same. If possible, I would like to feel as strongly about them as Christ does. I also want to pray for my friends more. To me this is the attitude of a good friend. It seems like the attitude that Jesus had as I read about his life in the Bible.
Have you thought much lately about how good a friend you are? Are you giving your best effort in your relationships? Are you allowing Jesus more influence in your heart? Can people sense more of Him coming through as you interact with them? I want to encourage you to make loving others with the affection of Jesus a top priority in ’06. Sit with God for a few moments even now and ask him to give you this incredible heart for your family, friends, and co-workers. May your heart come alive for others today and may you have this attitude in you which was also in Christ Jesus. May you be a great friend this year!
Chris
"For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus" Phil. 1:8
I want everything in my relationships with my friends to reflect what Paul says in this verse. When I'm thinking about others, I don't want to be critical, judge them, and tear them down in my thoughts. I want to think of them and long for them with the love of Jesus. When I pray for them, I want to pray with the affection of Christ. When I spend time with them, I want to show Christ's affection for them.
When you read Paul’s letters, you can see the priority that he placed on his relationships. He valued them greatly and he built them over years and through the ups and downs. He longed for his friends when he was separated by miles or circumstance. I wonder if in today’s culture, Paul would be distracted by all of the current “entertainment allure” and devalue his relationships. Would he be able to keep his friendship focus? I confess that in the midst of daily pressures and temptations, my desire to love others with Christ's affection often wanes. I have often allowed my affections to be turned toward selfish interests instead of really loving like Jesus did.
In the coming year I see myself choosing a better attitude. I want to take the initiative to stay in touch, even when others sometimes fail to do so with me. I want to ask friends what issues they are struggling with, and listen carefully as they respond. I’ll share my struggles with them and tell them how God is at work in the midst of them. I want to take off my own masks and be transparent and encourage others to do the same. If possible, I would like to feel as strongly about them as Christ does. I also want to pray for my friends more. To me this is the attitude of a good friend. It seems like the attitude that Jesus had as I read about his life in the Bible.
Have you thought much lately about how good a friend you are? Are you giving your best effort in your relationships? Are you allowing Jesus more influence in your heart? Can people sense more of Him coming through as you interact with them? I want to encourage you to make loving others with the affection of Jesus a top priority in ’06. Sit with God for a few moments even now and ask him to give you this incredible heart for your family, friends, and co-workers. May your heart come alive for others today and may you have this attitude in you which was also in Christ Jesus. May you be a great friend this year!
Chris
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