Money: Mercury of the Heart

April 30, 2009
Text: Philippians 4:10-20
Title: Money: Mercury of the Heart

 

Thoughts:

As I sit to write today’s devo, centered in a passage of giving, in the background I have a streaming webcast. It is of a live meeting of my tribe, affectionate term for the denomination I serve in, discussing how they might ‘reallocate resources’ that are sent in by the individual churches throughout our denomination. Though a bit of a distraction while writing, I find it an intricate part of my role as a pastor and leader in this great tribe.

With the ancient text before me and the live-breaking discussion streaming in the background, I find myself caught in a current approach to embody Scripture. The ‘reallocation of resources’ is dealing with the amount of monies our local churches send into the larger denominational offices. The concern: the management of money. At stake: ministry. The epicenter: the heart.

As embodied in Philippians 4:10-20, giving is a natural by-product of the heart. I say money is the mercury of the heart. As seen in a thermometer, mercury does not change the temperature, but responds to the temperature. Likewise, our money, and its flow, merely responds to the temperature of our heart. (And, that varies from one region to the next.)

Thankfully, we have examples throughout Scripture that reveal the harvest that correlates with the generosity that flows from the heart warmed by God. Ministry is funded and fulfilled through generous givers. Sadly, when our hearts grow cold in the region of our contributions to ministry, our hearts have grown cold toward the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The two are inextricably intertwined. Likewise, when the recipients of ministry contributions fail to plant the funds in the harvest of the Gospel, it reveals a temperature change in the heart of the ministry organization.

Giving matters because it reflects the temperature of the heart. Jesus said, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21) May we exercise caution when we begin to withdraw from generous giving in ministry, this applies to both the giver and receiver.

 

Application:

How has your giving reflected a temperature change in your heart?

What region of your heart is the warmest at the moment? (i.e., where does your checkbook say your treasure is?)

What elements initiate climate changes in your giving? (e.g., withdrawing from church, becoming more involved in your faith, latest fashions, new gadgets, etc.)

 

Prayer:

Father,

Thank You for the opportunity to sow into the ministry. May my generosity and stewardship ever reflect my heart ablaze for You and Your kingdom work. How I long to reveal continuously my devotion to You above my material possessions. Today, help me to find the place that I can invest Your resources into ministries that will proclaim Your sovereignty and beauty.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lacking Opportunities

April 29, 2009
Text: Philippians 4:10-14
Title: Lacking Opportunity

 

Thoughts:

In a near cash-less society, I cannot count the number of times I have been confronted with the opportunity to give to worthy causes, but failed to have a proper means of delivery. Perhaps, you’ve been there too. At the grocery store, outside your local Walmart, or in the spontaneous encounter on the street, we’ve all had those moments where we longed to give, but failed to have a means of delivery.

In Philippians 4, Paul writes the Philippian’s in appreciation for their gift. From the beginning these believers had believed in and partnered with the apostle’s ministry (Phil. 4:15-16). Yet for some unknown, and unmentioned, reason, the believers had “lacked opportunity” to express their “concern” for the apostle and his ministry. Scholars vacillate between defining this “lacked opportunity” as a monetary shortage on the Philippians’ part to an inability to get their gifts to the apostle. 

Personally, I believe the Philippians’ “lacking opportunity” was not due to financial circumstances, but to an ailing delivery system (i.e., Epaphroditus [Phil. 2:25-26]). That these believers were willing to give is evidenced throughout verses 10-20. Even the apostle himself noted that they had always been concerned. Furthermore, it is believed that this group gave even to their own impoverishment (Phil. 4:19).

In very dire economic times our concern, or generosity, for others and the ministry can be silenced by lacking opportunities. My prayer is that we would not allow financial worries to be the restricting factor. Certainly many have lost their jobs, faced salary reductions, and the like, but may these losses not be our lacking opportunities. Rather, let those who have, give more. Let those without jobs, give of their time and services. Let those who have not the physical strength to give, pray. That our giving would be marred by an economic downturn fails to embody our trust and faith in God. May we resist the temptation to excuse our concerns and find a proper delivery method to revive our commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its proclamation.

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.

C.S. Lewis.

 

Application:

Have you ever used an excuse not to give to a worthy cause?

When have you been so moved by a cause that you went out of your way to reveal your concern for it? How did you reveal it?

In this time of economic struggles, has your giving increased or decreased? What are the factors involved in this change?

 

Prayer:

Father,

Thank You for Your continual blessings in my life. Today, I am one of the many who have been blessed with a job and provision. Others have not been so fortunate. In this season, may we all resist the tendency to forego our concern for the Gospel. May those who are blessed increase our giving in order to help those who are lacking. May those who lack an opportunity to give financially find another means of delivery. May we, Your people, rise to this occasion and proclaim Your message of hope!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Who’s Driving Your Carriage?

April 24, 2009
Text: Philippians 4:6-7
Title: Who’s Driving Your Carriage?

 

Thoughts:

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 AMP)

Last night we had the opportunity to partner with Dave Ramsey and his team in the broadcast of his Town Hall For Hope. Seeking to calm the fears of the American people, Dave shared of his own experience with a “spirit of fear” concerning the economy. Sitting in a New York steakhouse, the “what-ifs” began to stir doubt and confusion within him. Yet, it was in taking the matter to God in prayer that Dave found the “peace of God” (Phil. 4:7).

A brush with the “spirit of fear” is a universal human experience. The consuming and debilitating thoughts of “what if?” consumes us all at some point or another. Thankfully, the apostle Paul reminds us that we have the most profound and powerful weapon in the battle against fear: prayer. And, in turn, that prayer produces God’s peace, which guards us.

Ralph Martin writes, 

“The Philippians, living in a garrison town, would be familiar with the sight of the Roman sentry, maintaining his watch. Likewise, comments the apostle, God’s peace will garrison and protect your hearts and minds. Bunyan’s use of this picture in the appointment and patrol of Mr. God’s-Peace in the town of Mansoul should be read in conjunction with this verse. ‘Nothing was to be found but harmony, happiness, joy and health’ so long as Mr. God’s-Peace maintained his office. But when Prince Emmanuel was grieved away from the town, he laid down this commission and departed also. It is the salutary reminder that we enjoy God’s gift only in Christ Jesus, i.e. by our obedience to him and submission to his authority.” (Ralph Martin, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Philippians, p.173)

Dave Ramsey says, “Fear is the antithesis of hope.” If fear is driving you today, you’re riding in the wrong carriage. Through prayer, transition to the caravan and company of a loving Father who arms you with His perfect and incomprehensible peace.

 

Application:

Recall a time when you encountered a “spirit of fear”. How did you respond? What prompted it: a truth or a lie?

When have you experienced the “peace of God” in your life, despite your circumstances?

What worry or concern do you need to take to the Lord in prayer today?

 

Prayer:

Father, 

I must admit, I’ve hired the wrong carriage at times in my life. I’ve allowed the enemy to drive me around in his carriage of fear at the expense of my faith and hope in You. Will You ignite in me the faith to turn to You in all things. When fear comes in to paralyze me, may I stand in defiance through prayer and experience Your peace. As Daniel stood in perfect peace in the lion’s den, may I stand confidently in the face of my enemy today.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Town Hall For Hope

• 5:48 PM allentenn - This is a test for the upcoming rebroadcast.
• 5:49 PM allentenn - I forgot my keys to the office. waiting for someone to open up. Lol
• 6:06 PM allentenn - Auryte…getting this thing set up. Should be going LIVE (rebroadcast) in t-minus 24 min.
• 6:33 PM allentenn - Dave Ramsey…Total Money Makeover LIVE Sept. 19, 2009
• 6:33 PM allentenn - TMO will be hosted at multiple locations on Sept. 19.
• 6:34 PM allentenn - townhallforhope.com Check out this site for resources.
• 6:35 PM allentenn - Town Hall For Hope…from idea to reality in less than 7 weeks.
• 6:36 PM allentenn - If you’re a church or individual, you have to check out Financial Peace University…great resource!
• 6:36 PM allentenn - In Hilo and want more info? Email me HiloChurchofGod@gmail.com
• 6:39 PM allentenn - I don’t think the moderator is a believer…just saying.
• 6:42 PM allentenn - 6,000 locations…one of the largest webcasts in history
• 6:45 PM allentenn - Dave: Hope probably doesn’t come from Washington
• 6:45 PM allentenn - Last 3 decades, we’ve become ‘fat and sassy’ in America
• 6:45 PM allentenn - When things are going good, any idiot can make it. If a turkey can fly in a tornado.
• 6:48 PM allentenn - While on Mike Huckaby’s first show, Dave felt the ’spirit of fear’…
• 6:49 PM allentenn - He began to question himself, “What happens if I’m wrong and we’re not okay.’
• 6:50 PM allentenn - Dave: I began to pray. I talk to my dad. The fear left me at that moment. Fear is not a fruit of the Spirit.
• 6:51 PM allentenn - Fear is the antithesis of hope.
• 6:51 PM allentenn - Bush/Paulson: bailed out stupidity. New administration: stimulated stupidity.
• 6:52 PM allentenn - Gov’t interference and bailouts are not a good idea.
• 6:57 PM allentenn - Keynesian economics: the gov’t has to cover deficit spending.
• 6:58 PM allentenn - Modern father of capitalism: Milton Friedman.
• 6:59 PM allentenn - You can be sincere and still be stupid.
• 7:00 PM allentenn - Doing well is a result of doing good. Ralph Waldo Emerson
• 7:01 PM allentenn - Profit is the applause that your customer gives you.
• 7:03 PM allentenn - We desperately need to love people enough to allow them to fail. Failure brings cleansing. Failure brings clarity. Failure, if it is chasing you, will run you towards excellence.
• 7:03 PM allentenn - Failure needs to be an option.
• 7:04 PM allentenn - Success is merely a pile of failure that you’re standing on. John Maxwell.
• 7:06 PM allentenn - We need to reintroduce to something else in our economy: the word …NO
• 7:08 PM allentenn - We need to reintroduce: personal responsibility.
• 7:10 PM allentenn - Sometimes Christian’s prayer is code for “i don’t want to face reality”
• 7:18 PM allentenn - Where do I invest when the stock market is struggling?
• 7:19 PM allentenn - 100% of the 15 year periods in the stock market have made profit.
• 7:20 PM allentenn - Patience in a recession is a must.
• 7:21 PM allentenn - Do you really believe companies are worth half now what they were this time last year?
• 7:22 PM allentenn - “I believe economic forecasters are there to give weather forecasters credibility.”
• 7:25 PM allentenn - 60% of the current foreclosures are spread over 5 states.
• 7:27 PM allentenn - Murphy’s cousins: Broke, Desperate, Stupid
• 7:30 PM allentenn - Key to knowing when and where to invest: follow instincts and find someone who has the heart of a teacher
• 7:32 PM allentenn - When the President starts firing CEO’s we know who’s running things…Don’t fool yourself.
• 7:36 PM allentenn - Dave: “Gold is the snuggy of investments. It’s sold on midnight cable and if you buy it, it’ll make you look stupid.”
• 7:38 PM allentenn - Gold has not been used as a medium of exchange in a failed economy since the Roman Empire. No one walked around New Orleans after Katrina with a bag of gold or even money. “Goods and services are what becomes valuable in a completely decimated economy.”
• 7:38 PM allentenn - Gold is a 176 year high right now. It is NOT the time to buy.
• 7:39 PM allentenn - Christian hate mail ought to be an oxymoron.
• 7:40 PM allentenn - Dave: “I think ‘we the people’ are the healing agent of this country.”
• 7:44 PM allentenn - Dave: It’s a good time to start a business in a bad economy. The weak businesses have been driven out of the market. Bill Gates, David Green (Hobby Lobby), Michael Dell, S. Truett Cathy (Chick-fil-A), George Ballast (Weedeater)…all started businesses in bad economies.
• 7:49 PM allentenn - steps to catch up on retirement:
  Don’t panic…you can’t make up time. Be slow and steady. Work yourself out of debt. Your most powerful wealth tool is always your income.
• 7:50 PM allentenn - Jobs going down are a ’symptom’ of the economy going down. It is not the ’cause’.
• 7:52 PM allentenn - Don’t wait for the economy to get better. Rethink your life and adjust your attitude.
• 7:53 PM allentenn - Truth: You got pushed out of the nest. You have two choices: smack the cliff wall on the way down or spread your wings and fly baby.
• 7:54 PM allentenn - Dave: speaking of credit cards…”I don’t play with snakes. They bite.”
• 7:58 PM allentenn - Summary…three things to do if you’re struggling with your hope….
  1) Get up. Take action. Get moving. (Your best chance at success is YOU!)
  “My Grandmother used to say, ‘There’s a great place to go when you’re broke…WORK!’”
• 8:00 PM allentenn - 2) Don’t participate in ‘loser’ talk. Dan Miller, research says that your income will be within 10% of your 10 closest friends income.
• 8:03 PM allentenn - Read good books. Charolette Jones…Five years from today you will be the same person you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet. Likewise, your income will be the same except for the books you read and the people you meet.
• 8:07 PM allentenn - 3) Learn to give again. “If the church would get it’s act together, we would give the gov’t out of business.”
• 8:07 PM allentenn - “When you get your eyes off yourself, you always have more hope.”
• 8:10 PM allentenn - That’s it!! Thanks for reading, tuning in, giving my fingers an ear.