|
B2Y,
You said:
I agree!
I often wonder exactly who we think all that we have comes from and what we think we are going to do with it in eternity? You certainly can not take it with you and when you look death in the face you will find all your "stuff" means absolutely nothing. The material things you enjoyed truly are nothing but a vapor, a brief moment in the whole scheme of things. Jesus was quite clear in stating that our heart resides where our treasure is.
I really believe the root of the problem lies in a lack of tithing. Oh boy, here we go...
People can argue about that until their blue in the face. I've been reading a lot about that here lately. Hm... I'm recalling what Jesus' response was to the rich man when he wanted to know what he needed to do to enter the kingdom of God. This man already tithed the required amount and gave extensively but...God required him to give it all!
I don't think this means we're all supposed to go out and live on the street (although some may argue that). I think the point was it was easy for him to tithe and give because he still had an abundance. Anybody can do that! However, to tithe and give when you're wondering how you'll pay next months bills, that's a whole different matter. That's saying, "I'm putting my trust in God rather than in money."
When my husband and I started to face a "gap" every month, we took a look at our expenditures. Where could we cut? Yes, our tithes as well as our offerings to our church and other ministries showed up on that list. I have to tell you that eliminating or even cutting back would have filled in the gap completely and even then some. No! How can we shortchange God? To do so would be to say we trust money more than we trust God.
The enormity of the gap came in force in November. God filled the gap in November, December, January and it looks like most of February now. We had to replace my alternator this week. Last week my husband had been told by a college colleague that he wanted to buy him lunch. He gave him a check to buy some lunch. All I'll say is that the "lunch check" paid for my alternator.
Amen and amen!
K 
|
|
Posted 01/30/2009 05:12am
Author: kreynolds
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you "K" and "A" for your comments. Relentlessly presenting this subject is not one that generates an abundance of response for it is not all that popular, but God laid it on my heart again to remind us all of priorities.
"K", I can't begin to express the thanksgiving in my heart for your commitment to "doing the Word" the way it is supposed to be done. You and your husband's commitment to principle is a shining example to all who read. Thank you for taking the time to give such detailed comments to so many blogs. May God richly bless you for all your selfless giving.
"A", thank you for being a faithful friend and one whose actions speak louder than the hollow words so many say. I admire your commitment to outreach and if I were younger, I would track you down and carry your suitcase on your next mission trip.
Thanks,
B2Y
|
|
Posted 01/30/2009 05:33am
Author: blessings2you
|
|
|
|
|
This beautiful exchange reminds me of the words of Jesus, 'blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' And also, 'a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.'
|
|
Posted 01/30/2009 06:31am
Author: bimonics
|
|
|
|
|
As a young child,I watched my mother initiate giving to pioneer missionaries in Malaysia as one by one they graduated from Bible school. For some it was a small monthly stipend, for others a timely spntaneous love gift which was touched by the Lord. My dad after he was saved became the channel for giving monthly.We were not rich but the Lord provided monthly with fluctuating levels of commissions earned sufficient to meet the needs for the month.
In the 50's and 60's every month it seemed the pioneer workers would visit my dad's office in Singapore -my dad said sometimes he felt as if we owed them a living. As the years passed by, one by one came to say : Please stop, the Lord is blessing us and do give our stipend to some other needy brother or sister. Those were times of rejoicing for my family as repeatedly we saw the Spirit of the Lord move in the hearts of new Christians to give to the work where they were spiritually fed. Those were the times we were encouraged to know that the sacrifices made by the pioneer workers were bearing fruit. Today we see the faithfulness of God in His churches in Malaysia and we moved to missions in Asia. Today we still enjoy the blessing of the Lord who provides sufficiently for us to give and give again in small or larger amounts as He touches us to give and provides... ... ...Praise the Lord... ... ... as we have given to the Batak work in Indonesia, or Back to the Bible broadcast in India, or Aetas tribe and Far East Broadcasting in Philippines or Myanmar during the Nargis disaster, or Karens in Thailand or China Sichuan earthquake, it has been given to us pressed down, shaken and running over... and though our barns are not full... the Lord takes care of our every need in spiritual, emotional, physical and financial health.
What B2Y has written that the Lord has blessed us to give is true... ...it is wonderful to be in the cycle of giving and to be in th chain of His supply for every month... ... .we are to trust and obey and He gives again and again... ... ..how exciting! how exciting! It strengthens us when we strengthen our brothers and sisters...
You can never outgive God that is my family's testimony to the third generation! Praise the Lord our Provider!
|
|
Posted 01/30/2009 08:54am
Author: ptl2008
|
|
|
|
|
This whole Rich man thing baffles me -how can a child of God -knowing their riches are from God - not give it back to the Glory of God -but then I've never been rich in money so maybe I just don't see it their way.
I know that God has promised that one day he will take the wealth of the ungodly and give it to his children and then the wealthy will do what -will they turn back to God -jump out windows -kill themselves. This has happened before -they called it the Great Depression. God's children survived it because their faith was not in money.
And what happened to the servant that took his coin the master gave him and hide it rather than invest it for the master -did not the master take it from him and leave him with nothing.
And did not God say of the woman that put but a few pence in the offering -she has given more than any other -because she has given all she had (not just what she had leftover).
Did not God say to give of your First Fruits.
Oh foolish man that hordes his riches from God - for they are God's to begin with and surely he will reclaim them if they are not used to his Glory!
Great Blog B2Y
I have to agree with Alight -You are a Blessing to me -beyond that which you could ever know!
|
|
Posted 01/30/2009 11:29am
Author: poodlelady
|
|
|
|
|
Can Anyone help shed a little light on this scripture for me and My Wife.
Revelation 21:6-8 (New International Version)
6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
The But word in Verse 8 looks to me that this scripture is talking about those who's names are in the Book of Life (Received Salvation) as it clearly states "This is the second death" Now how can a man die twice unless he was in fact Born again so those who are cowardly, unbelieving, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, who practice magic arts, idolaters and all liars are the ones who will be cast into the Lake of Fire and die the second death. As I read this I was reminded of Paul's writing in Romans 6. Romans 6:1-4 (New International Version)
1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Do you think this is referring to those that are saved and willfully taking Gods Grace for Granted. This brings up a second Question I have herd the Quote from Other believers that "God has not convicted me of that yet" , This is one of the statements that make me go Hum. Lets see Gods word is very clear about Liars and a Lie is a Lie so why then would the Holy Spirit not Convict someone for something that God Hates and find despicable (Proverbs 6:16-17 (New International Version)
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood, If you Notice that a Lying Tongue is the second on the list. Bernie I am really struggling on how to handle this situation with a Brother I Love very Much and yet not be a Cowardly Christian. It took a lot to get me out of the Poverty Mentality yet at the same time I know Money will not keep me from being Poor. I absolutely Love doing Gods work and really want to be independent in My income however I can not compromise Integrity for either one. I being a fromer Homless Heroin Addict have this Christian Man being my Mentor and he being well bless in Finanices is striving to guide me into Enterponurship? however I run into areas were the Rules or Laws constrian operations and being guided with you must tell them what they want to hear to satisfy them as we can not make money following all the rules. I say to myself if thats the case then we are in trouble I can not jump onto that wagon because I beleive that wagon is heading to a firey end. These words you are all sharing line up with my struggle Today and would like any imput you all may have as I can feel the shock and Pain that blessings2you expressed
|
|
Posted 01/30/2009 01:02pm
Author: jnygard
|
|
|
|
|
Many people, even those who call themselves Christians, place their security in their worldly riches, and hang on to their money like it was their life-boat, much like the guy with the barns of grain, Luke 12:15-20
Since the day I submitted my will and my life to God, my life has been a financial rollor-coaster ride that went from being a street person to being a (temporary) millionaire, and let me say this, when I was poor I had a great time, and meracilously I was shown that my basic needs were taken care of, and having money was also good, but it was more of a spiritual test, than it was a blessing.
Eventually I came to the point where I understand Philippians 4:11.
|
|
Posted 01/30/2009 02:07pm
Author: disciplevance
|
|
|
|
|
Log Into Chatroom 
