Intentional Giving

Have you ever been to a fundraiser (car wash, auction, dinner, etc) where you contributed, but you did not know what cause was being supported?  It is easy to do, (a) you probably knew someone who was doing the fundraising, and you wanted to support them; or (b) whatever they were selling, you needed, so you helped the cause.  I hope it is a surprise to you, but I will guess it is not, but some people support the church in the same way.  When the offering plate comes around, we drop something in to avoid feeling guilty, or we have a generic desire to support “the church.”  While I thank you for the offering, we strive to be good stewards of the funds, I challenge you to find a particular ministry or two that you desire to see grow and support it.

“that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” 2 Corinthians 8:2-5

In this passage from the New Testament, please see the desire and fervency that the churches of Macedonia gave with.  We don’t find that these believers had full store houses, and gave out of their wealth.  Paul describes them “in a great trial of affliction,” and “their deep poverty.” Yet Paul says they gave in “abundance of their joy,” “freely willing,“ and “imploring us with much urgency.”  Do these phrases describe your giving?  I hope they do. 

In our offerings, we have two general types, designated and not.  The undesignated funds are what our church runs on, and support our ministries.  If no notes are made on the memo of a check, and cash is dropped in the plate, then this is where that money will go.  As a church 4% of this money is sent to the state to support statewide and national ministries, and 3% is designated for the international Lottie Moon Offering.  Another 3% is designated for our Youth ministries.  When you decide to place money in the plate, God desires a willing heart, and a cheerful giver.  If that does not describe your current giving habits, I exhort you to find ministries you desire to support, and give towards them.  When you give towards a ministry you care about, it will effect your prayers, and your service.  You will find ways to minister through prayer, work, and sacrificial giving.  If you will be intentional about your offerings and service towards God, don’t be surprised if God “opens the windows of heaven, and pours out an enormous blessing.”

Taking the Gospel

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,”1 Corinthians 15:3-4

The technology we have today allows us to handle many tasks by electronic correspondence or by mail.  We pay our bills, communicate with out of town friends, do some computer work remotely, get a degree, and even do your taxes, via a combination of the internet and mail.  My office has certain clients that I, personally, have never met because they live out of town, and we complete their taxes or financial records through these methods.  I even submit this devotional for copying via email (and post it for reading online.)  We are all blessed with the technology we have, and its convenience.

However there are still many other things which cannot be done remotely, your physical presence being required.  Physical labor cannot be done away from the materials and machines needed.  Most medical checkups or exams cannot be done when we are apart from the doctor’s touch and sight.  Then of course “XOXOX” in a letter is not the same as actual kisses and hugs in person. 

Evangelism is best handled in the flesh, where a relationship can easily be established.  Though not essential, the interaction between people in person is the basis of most relationships.  These facts make the Great Commission one of those things that cannot be done exclusively through correspondence.  Jesus commissioned us all to go and take the gospel into all the world.  Taking, involves you physically going somewhere and carrying the object to its destination.  This means we cannot simply send a check to the Cooperative Program or send materials to fulfill our commission duties. We must “take” the gospel to the world also.

Paul tells us a great summary of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15, which was a letter.  However Paul was writing to Christians, many of which he already met in his traveling and establishing of churches.  This is not intended to stop any sharing of the gospel you currently do, whether on Facebook, email, or letter.  I just ask you to consider your “taking” of the gospel.  Are you carrying the gospel where you go and work?  We must also consider that some need to go to other countries to take the gospel, both short-term and long-term.  Billions of people hang in the balance, but it starts with us reaching one at a time. 

Judas the Betrayer

“This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” John 12:6 (spoken of Judas)

“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” Matthew 26:14-16

“Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly.". . . 30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. “ John 13:26-27,30  

“Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand." And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.” Matthew 26:14-16, 45-49

“Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He (Jesus) had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." . . . 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself . . . 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,  and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me." Matthew 27:3-10(select)

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38

   The betrayal of Judas Iscariot is one of the greatest of tragedies ever recorded.  A man led and taught by Jesus, the Christ, for over two years; a witness to the miracles and love shown in His ministry.  Judas apparently was respected of the others, keeping the money bag.  The broad group of disciples would have listened to him as a leader, being an apostle of Jesus.  Yet he still only came this ------close.

   We can look back and say, “How did Judas miss the path so badly?” when we should look at ourselves now.  First look in the mirror, do you see the glimpses of betrayal (to fail or desert especially in time of need)? Have you let Jesus down in his ministry?  The greater loss was that Judas did not see that forgiveness was available, directly from Jesus whom he betrayed.  There are inevitably those among us, who are religious enough, but have missed Jesus’ teaching.  Let it be our desire to seek out those who still need a resurrection from their fallen state.