As I look back over that experience, I have to laugh.  I triply lost out through my “100%” approach to giving.  First, I was never at ease about the gifts God had given me.  Thanks to my upbringing I knew that everything I had was a gift from God, and I knew He asked for the first 10% of it back to acknowledge Him as the giver of all good gifts.  Living in denial of that truth just caused anxiety and “dis-ease” for me in my spirit.  Why would I choose to feel that way over a few bucks…a night out or one more trip to a restaurant?  I guess our sin nature really loves money more than it loves God.  It’s hard to face, but facts are facts.

Second, I missed out on the reordering of my priorities that tithing allows.  Tithing forces us to look carefully at our stated core values and to compare them with how we spend our money, i.e., how we live our lives.  Where they don’t match up, we know we have an integrity problem.  We’re not who we say we are.  We’re not living under the Lordship of Jesus.  We’ve taken His name (Christian) like a bride takes the name of her new husband, but in truth we never give up our true love, our mistress—money.

Finally, I was missing out on the joy of being caught up in the purposes of God, of being a surrendered instrument in His hands.  What a joy it is to be fully surrendered to God and living in full trust that He will provide.  Moving into a faith-based (or trust-based) relationship with Jesus and away from a knowledge-based relationship is akin to going Christian 2.0.  It is a big step.

If you are ready to understand what people are talking about when they mention the joy of their faith or the joy of a deep & personal relationship with Jesus, consider choosing to claim Him as Lord by putting Him in absolute control of your finances.  Choose to live in full and surrendered trust that He will provide for you.   There is a whole universe of spirituality that can never be experienced while you maintain a white-knuckled grip on your life and your security.  In truth, that grip is an illusion anyway, and it only keeps you from ever knowing the peace and joy that come with resting in the arms of Jesus.

Pastor Wade Griffith

Wade Griffith is the Pastor at Liberty Crossings UMC, www.libertycrossingsumc.org.  He is married to Julia, and they have a two and half year old son, Wade III, and a one year old son named Haines.  Wade is from Decatur, AL, and has served churches in Decatur, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Homewood and Vestavia Hills.

Hope this is able to help in some way.  Again,  I am so sorry for my procrastination.  Please feel free to edit…  correct…  plagarize… whatever…

Take Risks!

Mark

“The Good Steward”

Summary:  Wesley uses this sermon to explain that we as God’s Stewards are not the owners of what God entrust to us, but temporary custodians.  This applies to our souls, bodies, possessions, time, abilities and opportunities.  Wesley states in this sermon that there will be a day of great judgment when a final accountability will be given for our stewardship.

Introduction:

1. The Bible describes the created as debtors and servants to the creator.
2. The best description is that of a steward or manager.

1. The Nature of Stewardship
2. The Duration of Our Stewardship
3. The Final Accounting of Our Stewardship
   1. The Value of Time
   2. How precious is every moment in time.
   3. In using time, no word or deed is truly unimportant.
   4. There are no works that produce excess merit.  We cannot do too much.
   5. It is not easy to give back to God all that he has given us, it will require all our wisdom, perseverance, patience, and faithfulness.

1. Debtors are obligated to return what they have received, but can use it however they wish until the return.  This is not the case with stewards.
1. We are obligated to use our blessings as God wishes not ourselves.
2. Nothing is our own in this world.
2. God has entrusted us with all that we have received including our minds and souls
3. In doing God’s will we obtain our own happiness; therefore we should use our blessings for his glory.
4. God entrust us with our bodies
5. God has given us the superior capacity for speech and it is to be used to glorify
6. God has given us our hands and feet and bodies.
7. God has given us worldly goods of food, clothing, shelter and money.
8. God has given us the gift of energy, health, favorable appearance, education, knowledge and influence.
1. The gift of time and the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit

1. We are only stewards for a short time while on earth.
2. After we die, we won’t need the things God has entrusted to us.
3. The same applies to the body.
4. Death ends the need for speech, strength, health and beauty.
5. What about the other talents such as the “still, small voice”?
6. Our physical faculties will not probably exist after death, but continue in a greater degree.
7. We don’t know how much wisdom will remain after death.
8. Our souls will remain and retain all their faculties.
9. Our comprehension will be freed from its present defects.
10.  Some might say that disembodied spirits have no senses but they are dreaming.
11. The soul will retain its comprehension and the full vigor of its will and affections. 
12. However we are no longer stewards of these faculties.

1. After death, we are no longer stewards and must give an accounting.
1. We don’t know if it is immediate at the time of death.
2. We are to give the account of our stewardship when “the great white throne and the one who sat on it come down from heave, and the earth and the heaven flee from God’s presence, and no place is found for them.”
3. God will ask, “How did you use your life?”
4. God will ask, “How did you use your body?”
5. God will ask, “How did you use your worldly goods?”
6. God will ask, “Have you been a wise and faithful stewards of all the gifts?”
1. If so, God will declare, “Well done, good and trustworthy servant; enter into my Kingdom.”

Related articles

• The Christ-like Use Of Money (John Wesley) (dbarts.wordpress.com)

Often we limit stewardship to the amount of money we give.  Traditionally and from Old Testament mandates, one tenth is the standard given for a tithe.  As New Testament Christians, we are under a new order, a new way of being faithful.  No longer is the Old Testament our only standard for living.  Now we live by the standards that Jesus Christ has set.

One example of Jesus teaching his disciples and us about giving is found in Mark 12: 38-44. He warned the disciples to “Watch out for the religion scholars.  They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery, basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function.  And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless.  The longer their prayers, the worse they get.  But they’ll pay for it in the end.”  Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection.  Many of the rich were making large contributions.  One poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together.  All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.”  The Message. Eugene H. Peterson

You will not find any standard percent of giving discussed by Jesus in the New Testament, rather he does talk a lot about how we give and why.  The story of the widow’s mite shows us two things:  how not to give as demonstrated by the religion scholars, and how to give as demonstrated by the widow.  No doubt the religion scholars gave their tenth and did it out of an arrogant, self-serving, hypocritical heart.  The widow, on the other hand, gave a measly two cents.  Jesus compares her giving to theirs and calls her giving extravagant, sacrificial, and all of what she had.  She gave 100%!!

The widow reflects another standard of giving that is at the core of our being as people of faith and that is the standard set by Jesus himself.  Jesus gave his all—100% even unto death.  He gave his life willingly, out of love, and of course he gave sacrificially.

Nowhere do I find in the New Testament that Jesus will be satisfied with a tenth of who we are or what we have.  He wants all of us—100%.  When we are really understanding stewardship as Jesus taught us, we are “all in”.

Our percentages of giving in dollars may vary, but our commitment to discipleship should not.  We are all uniquely gifted by God to serve and follow him.  In order to be good stewards of what we have been given, we must seek ways to be faithful in all aspects of living a life that produces fruit for the Kingdom.  We ask ourselves,  “Am I 100% committed to the “body of Christ” with my prayer life; my faithfulness in attending church; my gifts, both monetary and spiritual; my service and ministry to others; and, my witness, sharing with others what Christ has done for me”?

Chances are we will not be perfect in our 100% commitment, but we can certainly strive to live a life of faith dependent upon the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us.  Ask yourself, “Am I ‘all in’ “?

Rev. Nancy Cole is an ordained Elder serving in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church as the Coordinator of Natural Church Development and Coordinator of Disaster Recovery.  Nancy entered seminary after a thirty-year career in education where she was a teacher for 18 years, and a psychometrist and guidance counselor for the last 12 years.  She is married to Steve Cole and has one daughter, Tammy,  two sons, Jason and Bo, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  Before being appointed to Connectional Ministries in the Conference, Nancy served churches in Harpersville, Mignon, Tuscaloosa, and Gordo. She and her husband, Steve, reside in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

When we are the recipient of generosity—when someone does something for us— we are more likely to be generous ourselves.  This is a fairly natural and expected response for most of us.  And this is something like what the author of 1 John is saying about how people are expected to act once they have received the gift of God’s love through Jesus

When I say it is expected, I don’t mean that it is expected as in, “I expect you to do this or else…” But expect as in anticipation.  It is more like when you add vinegar to baking soda and you expect it to bubble up.  The natural and expected response to being filled up with God’s love is that one will also flow out with the same.  When we have received love, we are expected to share it with others.

There is also an element of expectation, as in obligation, involved in this as well because in order to live as a person of God, we are expected and commanded to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39).  But because it is the gift of God’s grace that fills us with love and makes it possible for us to act out of love, then what God commands us, God also gives us the power to do.

One of my favorite quotes about giving is attributed to Amy Carmichael, who was a Christian missionary to India from the early 1900’s.  She left her family, friends, and life in Northern Ireland to serve the people of India for 55 years.  She said to have shared this message, “one can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving”.  That is pretty much what the Gospel of John is saying here: We cannot believe in Jesus without loving, and we cannot love without giving.

In order to grow toward self-sacrificing generosity that embodies the love of God, most of us won’t just jump right in head first.  We need some beginner steps, like…

• reading what the Bible says about giving
• praying and seeking God’s guidance
• giving a little something to see what it is like
• talking about it with each other—to see how others do it, to receive encouragement, and to be challenged to continue growing

And then finally, we will get to a place when we can live it.  We will not just say that we believe, we will also do what we believe.  Our actions and our lives as individuals and as a church will speak much louder than our words of faith.  We will become generous followers of Jesus.

Julie Holly is the Senior Pastor at Discovery United Methodist Church in Birmingham. You can follow her blog by clicking here! or with this address: http://pastorchickword.blogspot.com

This verse is part of King David’s ongoing acknowledgement of God’s great works in the world. It is a beautiful passage of praise and thanksgiving that comes from David’s joy in laying the financial foundation that will be used by his son Solomon to build the Temple in Jerusalem. David lifts up this blessing to God, telling the almighty that “all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours.” We say that a lot, don’t we? We repeat that mantra, that all good things, all blessings, everything comes from God. In fact, I just said it a minute ago before the offertory. The question for us this morning is, do we believe that? Do we believe that everything we have, all our possessions, all our stuff, all our money, really belongs to God? And if you do indeed truly believe that, the next question is, does your life reflect that belief?

Whether you realize it or not, you probably DO believe that God can make a difference in your finances. I would argue that MOST people really do believe that God can affect that financial future, the problem is that most people don’t live into that belief until their finances are in shambles. It’s only when the bottom drops out and our finances are in ruins that we find out we really DO believe this. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard and experienced this prayer in my brief time as minister:
“Dear God, my house is in foreclosure, I’m filing for bankruptcy, I spent my 401K, I am in midst of the worst financial hardship I’ve ever experienced. God, I need your help. I want to give you my life, everything I have, my whole life.”

To which God responds, “But you don’t have ANYTHING. Where were you 6 months ago when you had something to give?”

God doesn’t really respond that way, thankfully. But the question becomes, if you believe that God can have a hand in your finances at rock bottom, wouldn’t it make sense to invite him into your finances now, when things are good (or okay, or at least not ridiculously, terrible)? What is the point of waiting? Because God doesn’t force his way into your bank account or your wallet. You can make sure that God is never involved in your financial future, but I will bet that at some point in time you’re going to ask him in. How about now?
God wants to be invited.

But there is a risk when we invite God into our finances. I use that word invitation with great purpose. When we acknowledge that all things come from God and ultimately belong to God, when we INVITE him into our finances, there is some change that is required. It’s like any other invitation. What do we do as a church when a guest comes in? We do our very best to make them feel comfortable and welcome. I like to think we put the guest before the member here at Morningstar. And I imagine the same is true at your house when you welcome a guest for dinner or stay with you. We re-orient the way that we think and we put the guest first.
In our house, I’ll straighten up before a guest arrives. Then Denise will come behind me and re-straighten all the stuff I thought I had straightened. We plan meals and buy better food than we normally eat. We ask if they need anything? Can I get you something to drink? Are you comfortable? And we’re trying to teach our daughter Maggie how to treat guests. She’s still learning. When someone comes over, they get to choose the game we play or the movie we watch. The guest gets to choose!

And it’s the same when we invite God into our financial lives. It’s God’s choice what we’re going to do first. And here is what God chooses. Turn in your Bibles to Matthew 6:31-33 (page 6 in the New Testament).
Jesus says, “Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” 32For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But strive first for the kingdom of God* and his* righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

What is the first thing Christ tells us to do? STRIVE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. The Kingdom comes first. Be generous, help the poor, feed the hungry, take care of the widow, the orphan, the alien, care for the least of these, share the Good news. The whole shebang. That is what God wants when we invite him into our finances. And that might sound selfish, but Jesus adds this promise to the end: When you make the Kingdom of God your priority, He will take care of all your other needs. Clothing, food, drink . . .God will take care of those things. It’s a pretty amazing promise. Andy Stanley says it this way, “Here is God, the creator of the universe, who is willing to lower himself and enter into a symbiotic relationship with you and me. When we invest our lives bringing about the Kingdom of God, God promises to take a vested interest in our well-being.”
Now, here’s dangerous part of making this invitation. There is a reason why God has a vested interest in your well being and will continue to provide you with food, and water and a place to live, so long as the Kingdom is your first priority. When you invite God in, when you place your trust in Him and give generously, you are inviting repeat business. If a restaurant or a business gives good service, what do you do? You go back again and again. God remembers the loyal, the capable, and obedient. When you act out of a spirit of generosity, God will be back with another opportunity to give. But so long as you make the Kingdom your priority.
When you invite God into your finances, when you make His Kingdom your priority, more and more you will find that the obstacle of your fear is no obstacle at all. Because you have something you can trust in more than money, something stronger than your fear.

* Some parts of this devotional were greatly influenced by the preaching and books of Andy Stanley, so much so, that there may be some un-credited portions! Apologies to Pastor Stanley if I butchered or unintentionally took credit for any ideas that were his.

This article was written by Rev. John Mullaney.   John is the Morningstar United  Methodist Church’s pastor, and was appointed to the church in the summer of  2008. John’s passions include preaching, pastoral care, and  creating meaningful times of worship. John and his wife, Denise, who is also a United Methodist minister, have  two daughters, Maggie & Lucie. They live in Chelsea

1 Timothy 6:9

Summary:  As the population of the Methodist grew, the found themselves with more members who were wealthy.  Wesley used this sermon to speak on the dangers of wealth and how it could be inlet to sin.  He describes how people should gain as much as they can, save as much as they can and give as much as they can.  Wesley’s belief was to only accumulate what you need and give the rest away.

Introduction:

1. Many don’t know about the warning in 1 Timothy 6:9
2. It is not speaking of gaining riches unjustly, but just of being rich.
3. There are not a whole lot of people preaching this.
4. May God give me right and forcible words?
1. To explain the Apostles words
2. To apply them

1. To explain the Apostles words.
   1. Provide what is necessary for our family.
   2.  Save up enough to carry on business.
   3.  Enough to leave our children to supply them with necessary
   4.  Pay off our debts.
   5. Applying what has been said

1. What is it to be rich
1. Having food and coverings plus more
2. Riches are above the plain necessaries or conveniences of life.
2. This also implies those that desire to be rich.
3. Includes all those that set a purpose of endeavor to get more.
4. It includes those who lay up treasures on earth.
1. We are allowed to:
2. Provide what is necessary for our family
3. Save up enough to carry on business
4. Enough to leave our children to supply them with necessary.
5. Pay off our debts.

5. This includes all who posses more than they use.  God only lends this to us.  God entrust us to be stewards.
6. It is for those who find delight in money and seek their happiness in money.
7. There is a covetousness of money in which people have a desire to have more.
8. We have a hard time with this and only through God can we understand this and do it.
9. Those who are rich fall into temptation.
10. They fall into a snare of the devil that he set.
11. The fall into hurtful desires
12. They desire happiness out of God.  They love the creature more than God.
13. The desire of the flesh has developed a “taste” for the world that is not harmful to the body but to the soul.
14. The desire of the eyes is the desiring and seeking happiness in gratifying the imagination.
15. Seeking happiness in learning and not in God.
16. Seeking to be honored, yearning for the applause.
17. The desire of having it easy and avoiding trouble, danger, difficulty and a desire of sleeping through life.
18. Riches lead to foolish and hurtful desires and when one has the means to satisfy, these desires will increase.
19. As they grow, the desires will cause many sorrows of remorse and end up drowning the body in pain, disease, ‘destruction’, and the soul in everlasting perdition.

1. How do we put this into practice?
2. Stop!  Evil is before you and you are running toward the sharp edge of a sword.
3. Are you endeavoring to be rich?
4. Are you laying up for yourselves treasures on this earth?
5. You can gain all you can and save all you can without storing up on earth.
6. Gain all you can, save all you can without wasting; yet by giving all I can I am protected against laying up treasures on earth.
7. It’s not the quantity of what we possess, it is how we employ according to the will of our Lord.
8. Don’t throw the excess away; give it to all men and to the poor.
9. Your wealth will be a witness against you and destroy you as if it were fire.  Start today!
10. Money is not going to make you happy, look at those who are already rich.
11. If you are desiring to be rich, WHY?  It leads to a pit and temptation.
12. Have these desires not hurt you enough?
13. Have they not cooled your love of God?
14. If you get richer, it will destroy your humility. People will think you are better than you are and you will believe them.
15. The richer you are the means are available to seek revenge and thus goes the meekness.
16. Your patience is also lost.
17. You will no longer rejoice to ‘endure hardship’ nor rush to into the Kingdom of Heaven.
18. You will lose the zeal for works of mercy and piety.
19. You lose your compassion for the ignorant.
20. You have heard the warning.

Wait a minute! How can two small cooper coins be counted as more than the other offerings? Wouldn’t a check for $500 be counted as more than two copper coins in your offering plate?

Jesus says everyone gave out of their abundance that day except the poor Widow. Everyone gave from a heart that said, “out of all that is  mine I will give this to You God.”  Everyone except the poor Widow. She gave from a heart that said,”all that I have belongs to You God. Take what is Yours and I trust You will take care of me.”

Stewardship is the act of managing faithfully things that belong to someone else. Followers of Jesus believe that everything belongs to God.  When it comes to money, it too belongs to God. We have simply been chosen as stewards to manage varied amounts.

Each week,  many of you wonderful followers of Jesus at Union, the Church at Chelsea Park, demonstrate faithful stewardship. Your faithfulness makes ministry happen in your community and around the world through our system of apportioned connectional giving! I continue to be amazed by your stewardship efforts and the way God takes care of you.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for taking care of us. Thank you for trusting us to manage things that belong to You. Give us the faith to always put in Your two cents worth. Amen.”

This article was written by Ron Schultz.  Ron is the District Superintendent of the South Central District in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Ron graduated from Emory University, Candler School of Theology in 1983 and received his Juris Doctorate from Birmingham School of Law in 1994.  Ron is married to Robin Schultz and has 4 children.

Fact is, children look to their parents for encouragement, and finding affirmation at home is foundational to positive emotional development. Parents need to be in the business of building our children up.  But we also need to be honest, and it’s important to use compliments that really mean something. Kids can sense disingenuousness and empty praise. Making stuff up is harmful; false praise is dishonest and the practice breaks trust.

Here are 10 compliments all kids need to hear:

1. Recognize and compliment character:
   We live in a world where integrity is neither consistently taught nor widely expected. When our children demonstrate honesty, kindness, trustworthiness and reliability, that’s a great time to take them aside and offer a sincere compliment.
2. Compliment obedience and respect:
   It’s too easy to fall into patterns of disapproval, where the only time we notice is when kids do wrong. Rather than waiting for disobedience or disrespect (then coming down like a ton of bricks) try noticing obedience and respect: “I don’t always remember to tell you, but you are an awesome young man, and I appreciate the way you treat your mother”.
3. Appreciate them for simply being part of the family:
   “Every time I see you, I’m thankful that I’m a dad.” Kids need to understand that they are valued simply because they are.
4. Compliment contributions to the family:
   “Clearing the table (sweeping the porch… putting out the trash) makes a real difference. I appreciate your contribution.” Kids need to understand that what they do makes a difference, that the adults notice, and that pitching in is a good part of family life.
5. Compliment the quality of a child’s work:
   “This is one clean porch, mister!” “You mowed the lawn right up to the edge.  Way to go!  I’m so glad you take this job so seriously, it shows.” Doing a job at a high standard is always worth noting.
6. We can compliment the effort, even when the result is not the best:
   “Your willingness to help makes me happy! Now we need to take a look at how you can get the trash to the curb without leaving a trail!” Compliments can be an important part of our role as teachers.
7. It’s important that we compliment children when they achieve something new:
   “Wow! That’s a huge leap forward for you there in math, pal.” “Awesome! I’m not at all surprised after you worked so hard.” A well-placed compliment can keep a positive ball rolling.
8. We can compliment sense of style even if we don’t exactly share their taste:
   We don’t want to hedge kids into being clones of dad, or mom. “When it comes to putting together an outfit, you certainly have some flair!” “I can tell that you put a lot of thought into the way you look.” “I’ve never seen a table set quite like that before – you have an amazing imagination!” It’s not useful to limit compliments to the narrow range of our own taste.
9. Compliment steps toward a long-term goal:
   “Son, the improvement you’re showing is commendable. Thanks for trying.” Waiting for perfection before we’re willing to dish out a compliment is inefficient, may dampen enthusiasm, and does little to help the process of growth.
10. Try complimenting their friends:
    But only do this when you can do it honestly! “Your friends are the greatest!” “That Jimmy is such a positive young man.” “You know, it gives me a lot of confidence to know you use common sense in choosing your friends.”

Here are 10 Ways we can live above life’s circumstances:

1. Be clear about what defines you:

   Make sure know who you are, understand that you were created with a purpose, be crystal clear about what makes you tick.

2. Live according to values that stand independent of circumstance:

   Stand on the solid ground of faith. Own the fact that you are a part of something greater. Build a life around values such as service and love and compassion.

3. Practice living above circumstances before things get difficult:

   The time to learn how to step outside of circumstance is when things are still going well. Make sure that you’re not being sucked in to a reliance on the wrong values. Don’t put your eggs in the wrong baskets. Learn the difference between values that last and things that will ultimately let you down.

4. Understand that relationships count:

   Make the choices that value relationships ahead of the bottom line. Spend time with your children. Engage your marriage as a priority not an afterthought. Honor your parents and friends.

5. Be the best husband in the world!

   It’s a lot easier to deal with a lost job, or a financial challenge, or a difficult child when you are confident in your relationship with your wife.

6. Invest in things that are timeless:

   In your monthly budget, how important is charitable giving? Do you give your leftovers or is self-sacrifice involved? Be generous with what you have and you won’t miss it so much when it’s gone.

7. Do not look to other people for validation:

   Learn to rely on what you know is wise rather than the opinions of those around you. If you need to purchase trendy items, or drive the right car, or wear the correct clothes in order to feel validated, then your sense of self-worth is going to depend on things that could (and will) easily disappear overnight.

8. Develop a clear vision as to where you are going:

   Understand your purpose in life, and develop clear goals that come directly from your heart. Your vision is more enduring than the temporary ups and downs of circumstance.

9. Learn to distinguish between the temporary and the eternal:

   When we understand what parts of our life line up under “temporary” and what parts can be listed as “eternal,” then it’s not so hard to be philosophical when the temporary stuff threatens to overwhelm.

10. Be reasonable:

    Keep a sense of balance. Ask for help from those around you. Don’t think you have to be the strong and silent one. Remember to live in community. Let yourself be loved and cared for.

Stop for a second. Are you happy? If not, how much more would you need to be happy? More than 20%… or less?

The studies then did the tacky thing of following up on the surveyed families. They came back to them years later when they now were making at least 20% more — in ‘real’ money, not just due to inflation.

Are they happy now? “No!” What’s wrong? Well, we need 20% more.
It’s somewhat easy to figure this out. Our needs expand as the family grows. We didn’t really “need” this much years ago, but now we do. OK, well, it turns out that our ‘needs’ expand even after the kids move out. It depends on our definition of what are our ‘needs,’ you see.  I need This-and-That. After I get This-and-That, I’m not deeply satisfied because, in the meantime, somebody convinced me I need That-Other-Thing that ‘they’ have.

Psychiatrist Robert Coles, in his dealing with envious patients, wrote:
“Envy comes naturally to us, since we are limited in our distinctive ways, and so others (limited in their own ways) can seem so strong, so lucky, so blessed. We are bombarded so heavily in this secular world with invitations, suggestions, possibilities, and promises that we are bound to feel inadequate in their weighty presence, as we see them given life in others. Hence our wish to be those envied others, our anger that such has not come to pass.”

The happiest people you know are probably not the richest or the most famous or those who pay close attention to what others have or those whose every ‘want’ has been transformed into a ‘need.’ Nor are the happiest people those who pursue happiness — which is the surest way to never know happiness.
Happiness sneaks up on people while they’re doing other things, like caring and serving and enjoying the presence of loved ones or of God’s creation. Happiness is not stalked and trapped; it is welcomed.

 -Mitchell Williams is the Senior Pastor at the First United Methodist Church in Cullman, AL.  Mitchell was raised in Birmingham and spent a lot of time growing up at Camp Sumatanga. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University (Theater) and a Masters of Theology from Southern Methodist University. He and his wife Jodi have two grown sons (Charlie, a Marine Sergeant, and Drew, an engineer) who both married very well and each have a son themselves. Mitchell has pastored for thirty years including nine years at Asbury (Birmingham), six at Aldersgate (Huntsville), and nine at Central (Decatur).

“The Use of Money”

Summary:  Wesley uses this sermon to outline the proper use of earning, possessions and wealth with a very articulate statement: “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”  He uses this as an opportunity to insist that we are not owners of our assets, but stewards.

Introduction:

1. There will be an accounting of our management of resources.
2. Money can be bad, but it can also be good.  It can become the eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
3. It is one of our highest concerns to know how to use this valuable gift.

1. Gain all You Can.
2. Save All You Can
3. Give All You Can.

1. Without paying more than its worth; or at the expense of life or health
2. Without harming our minds
1. Lying, cheating, practices that are not in good consciences.
3.  We must never harm others.
4. Not gain more by harming our neighbor’s bodies.
5. There are unscrupulous medicine “professionals” and it is clear that they are doing to others what they do not want done in return.
6. These ways of gaining money comes at a high price.
7. Cautions and restrictions
1. Gain all you can by honest industry and diligence
2. Make the most of your time
3. Work with all your might.
4. Do your work as well as possible and in a timely manner.
8. Use common sense.

1. Don’t throw your precious gains into the sea
2. Don’t waste it on desires of the flesh.
3. Don’t waste on desires of the eye such as fine clothing, houses, paintings, decorations gardens.
4. Don’t spend to gain the admiration or praise of others.
5. When we cater to these desires, they only increase.
6. Don’t buy your kids everything and the best of everything.
7. Don’t leave the kids money to squander.  Don’t set traps.
8. Leave your money to the child that knows the value of money.

1. Don’t stop with gaining and saving all you can.  You must give all you can.
2. The sole ownership of everything rest with God.
3. Provide for your basic needs; provide for your family; give the rest to the needy.
4. How should you spend upon yourself?
1. Am I acting according to my character?
2. Am I giving this money in obedience to God’s word?
3. Can I offer up this action as a sacrifice to God?
4. Do I believe that I will receive a reward for this work at the resurrection?
5. If your conscience says that this pleases God then you have no doubt that it is right and good.
6. In your living and dying, waste nothing on sin or foolishness for yourself or your children.
7. We cannot be wise or faithful stewards without managing the Lord’s goods in this way.
1. Lead a life worthy of the dignity of your calling.

Each time a new member makes that commitment in our congregations, we as United Methodists, are challenged to renew our commitment and join their voices with a resounding, “I will.” 

It all begins with the promise:  “…will you faithfully participate in ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?”  Your response of “I will” is the first step in an incredible Wesleyan journey to fulfill the core purpose of your congregation.  How can each person faithfully fulfill their church’s mission of making and growing disciples of Jesus Christ?  They begin in prayer, and continue by being present in study, worship and fellowship.  They celebrate their giftedness from God by being faithful financial disciples.  They become the hands and feet of Jesus at work in the world, and proclaim the word of God both spoken and lived out in a world that hungers for the love of God.

Conversations about stewardship and giving are viewed by some in the church as taboo.  If giving is mentioned only once or twice a year in a congregation, there is often an admonition that “all we ever do is talk about money” at church. Giving is often viewed as “too personal” to be discussed at length in the church.  By making stewardship and giving a forbidden subject Christians give money a mysterious power outside the bounds of theology.     In essence it is given god-like tendencies.  The truth is that stewardship is more about spiritual growth than financial strength or weakness.  It is time that modern Christians celebrate their role as financial disciples of Jesus.

The celebration of financial disciples begins by establishing a healthy theology of stewardship or giving.  Everything we have comes from God, and living out that giftedness in the world is vital to responsible discipleship.   Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Luke were both a truth and a challenge.  “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  (Luke 12:34, New International Version]  The treasure that a Christian posesses is a gift from God to be activated in love from the heart.  The theology of giving is best lived out in the church in three ways.  First, as an act of worship.  Both the Old and New Testaments talked about the offering of our gifts in the context of worship.  Most of those vignettes were in the temple, and were clearly acts of corporate worship.  Secondly,  giving is an expression of faith.  Not only does the Christian recognize the generosity of God in the bountiful gifts they receive, but also in the giving of those gifts they faithfully fulfill God’s purpose in the world.  Finally, stewardship and generosity are a spiritual discipline.  It is easy for modern Christians to have a serious disconnect between faith and money.  A healthy theology of giving helps us remember that our stewardship is about spiritual growth.  William Sloane Coffin began a stewardship sermon at Riverside Church in New York City with the following introduction:  “I have not come today to raise money for the church, I am here to remind you who you are.”  Stewardship and giving are not transactional.  Giving should be transformational for the church, for the world, and most of all of the faithful financial disciple of Jesus.  “I Will”,  these two simple words in response to God’s call in our lives can transform our lives, our church, and our world for Christ.

Article written by Rick Owen.

Rick has over 35 years of experience working with churches and non-profit boards. His passion for visioning, strategic ministry planning, functional- and gift-oriented board structures, leadership development, and the creation of cultures of innovation are refreshing in the world of churches and institutions. He is an experienced teacher, preacher and presenter in a variety of settings. He has served as a minister in churches from 15 members to 4,500 members; he has taught philosophy, ethics, Old Testament and New Testament on the college level, and currently works with leaders, boards and pastors as a strategic ministry coach. He has served on a number of church-related and community boards, and is committed to the vision of empowering people to live out their vision and purpose.

Introduction:

1. There will be an accounting of our management of resources.
2. Money can be bad, but it can also be good.  It can become the eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
3. It is one of our highest concerns to know how to use this valuable gift.

1.  GAIN ALL YOU CAN

1. Without paying more than its worth; or at the expense of life or health
2. Without harming our minds
   1. Lying, cheating, practices that are not in good consciences.
3.  We must never harm others.
4. Not gain more by harming our neighbor’s bodies.
5. There are unscrupulous medicine “professionals” and it is clear that they are doing to others what they do not want done in return.
6. These ways of gaining money comes at a high price.
7. Cautions and restrictions
   1. Gain all you can by honest industry and diligence
   2. Make the most of your time
   3. Work with all your might.
   4. Do your work as well as possible and in a timely manner.
8. Use common sense.

2.  SAVE ALL YOU CAN

1. Don’t throw your precious gains into the sea
2. Don’t waste it on desires of the flesh.
3. Don’t waste on desires of the eye such as fine clothing, houses, paintings, decorations gardens.
4. Don’t spend to gain the admiration or praise of others.
5. When we cater to these desires, they only increase.
6. Don’t buy your kids everything and the best of everything.
7. Don’t leave the kids money to squander.  Don’t set traps.
8. Leave your money to the child that knows the value of money.

3.  GIVE ALL YOU CAN

1. Don’t stop with gaining and saving all you can.  You must give all you can.
2. The sole ownership of everything rest with God.
3. Provide for your basic needs; provide for your family; give the rest to the needy.
4. How should you spend upon yourself?
   1. Am I acting according to my character?
   2. Am I giving this money in obedience to God’s word?
   3. Can I offer up this action as a sacrifice to God?
   4. Do I believe that I will receive a reward for this work at the resurrection?
5. If your conscience says that this pleases God then you have no doubt that it is right and good.
6. In your living and dying, waste nothing on sin or foolishness for yourself or your children.
7. We cannot be wise or faithful stewards without managing the Lord’s goods in this way.

Lead a life worthy of the dignity of your calling.

I’m a huge goal setter.  I believe in knowing where one is going because if you don’t how will you know when you get there.  Setting goals provides you with direction for your life.  It’s like setting out on a trip and not having a destination.  How will you know if your going in the right direction?

So, each year I make out a list of goals for the next year.

• I share my goals with others.  Much harder to abandon when many others know about it.
• I write them down.  Writing them down makes them real.
• I post them where I can see them everyday. (Mine go on the bathroom mirror).
• Track the progress.
• If it is a big goal, then I will make small step goals to track the progress.
• When you accomplish the goal, share it with others and celebrate!!

So, here are my goals for next year.  I invite you to hold me accountable and ask how well I am doing in accomplishing them.

1. Lose weight.  I’m now at 189 and my goal is to reach 179 by June.  This would be 2 pounds/month.
2. Lower my cholesterol.  Don’t know the exact numbers but will be talking with my doctor to set the numerical goal.
3. Follow our family budget.
4. Exercise 5 times per week.  Walk 30 minutes 3 times per week in January, 45 minutes in February 4 times/week, 1 hour in March 5 times/week.  10,000 steps/day (Jan-Feb); 15,000 steps (March and April); 20,000 steps/day in May and June).
5. Weekend camping in camper 1 weekend/month from March to October.
6. Read 8 novels and 8 books that are Spiritual, Self-Improvement, or Leadership.
7. Hike Vicksburg National Battlefield.
8. Plan and date a family trip to the Grand Canyon for 2013.
9. Attend 1 John Maxwell event.
10. Achieve Basic credentialing with ICPC (Police Chaplain)

These are my personal goals.  I will be setting additional goals that will cover Church and Ministry.

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• goal-setting for 2012 (amplifiedlayers.com)
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• 7 Secrets to Making This Year the Best Year Ever (dumblittleman.com)

In her life time she experienced:

• 3 cities
• 6 houses
• 2 careers
• 7 cars
• 1 boat
• 5 Churches
• Girlfriends
• 2 engagements
• 1 wedding
• 5 children
• 1 horrible wreck
• Seminary
• Ordination
• September 11
• The death of 2 grandmothers
• The death of a grandfather

All the important things in my life, she was there for.  Sometimes it was to enjoy together, experience together or just being there for me when I needed it.  Sure, she was just a dog, but she was more than that for me. She was my friend and I will miss her.

People ask me all the time how we’ve been able to see so many people come to Christ in five years.

Outside of the favor of God, I could give you a lot of specifics. Tell you a lot of things that we’ve done. But none of it will help you until you make a decision we made in the early days of our church.

And that was the decision to be more focused on the people we’re trying to reach than on the people we’re trying to keep. As others have said, to be fishers of men, not just keepers of the aquarium.

We’re not going to cater to the personal preferences of the few in our pursuit of the salvation of the many…Continue reading by clicking the link below

via Are You An Aquarium Keeping Leader?.

• You don’t mind cleaning up your child’s “throw-up”.  (I’ve always gotten sick from someone throwing up)
• When they are sick, you want them close to you. ( I used to run from sick people from a fear of catching it.)
• You’re their parent, not their friend, buddy, companion or partner.  (They have many friends/buddies but only 2 parents.  They need you to be in that role.)
• Discipline is a part of being a parent.  (The old saying,”This is going to hurt me more than you.” is so true.)
• Telling them each day how much you love them.
• Hold them in your lap (At least until they are too big)
• Know who their friends are and who their friends parents are. (Aside from you, their friends will have the most influence on their lives.)
• Set boundaries for your children/teenagers.  They won’t set them on their own, but you’re teaching them how to do this preparing them for tomorrow.
• Play the X-Box/football/baseball/sports with them and let them win (sometimes but losing on purpose all the time is a bad lesson in itself.) Go hiking, camping, fishing with the boys and shopping, dress up, and nails with your girls.
• Teach them to fail forward, persistence, courage, honor and committment.
• Introduce them and teach them to respect new cultures, people who are different, and other religions.
• Teach them Grace by your actions.
• Teach them the importance of money (checking account, saving, budgets, and investing) AND that money is NOT the most important thing and is NOT what makes them valuable.
• Show them how to be a husband (or what to look for in a husband) by the way you treat and love their Mom.
• Don’t spend all your time at work.  Your employer of 20 years will forget you 1 week after you’re gone but your children will miss you for a lifetime.
• Teach them to tithe.

Related articles

• Strong Fathers Powwow Stresses a Father’s Duty to his Family (indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com)
• Gifts, not possessions (living4bliss.wordpress.com)
• 3 Tips for Parents (chicanschoice.wordpress.com)
• Are You Giving Your Children The Gift of Obedience? Hebrews 5:8 (dianneguthmuller.com)

I then asked him, “If it’s Jesus’ birthday, what should we get him for Christmas?”  Out of nowhere, he said, “Let’s get him a COW!”  Uhhhhh Okay.  Then my mind got to working.  “Why would Jesus need a cow?”  He answered, “I don’t know.”  I shared with him one of the ways to give Jesus a present was to help someone who was in need of food, shelter, money, etc…  We then began looking at Heifer International.  They have a great video made for children about how someone can be helped by animals.  See the video by clicking HERE  Noah chose to buy a flock of chicks that will grow to be chickens and produce up to 400 eggs/year/chick!!  It was a great experience for him and it was a great bonding time.

I believe it’s up to us as parents to teach our children the blessing of giving.  It’s a responsibility too many parents have failed at teaching.