Key #7: Learn to be content with what God has given you.
This is an easy concept to say, but much harder to grasp. Our culture screams at us to buy more, buy bigger, and buy newer. If we do, we will finally discover true happiness (so we're told).
The Bible has a different message for us, found in Ecclesiastes 5:10:
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
1 Timothy 6:6-10 is much the same:
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
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. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
And to top it off, Hebrews 13:5:
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Money (and possessions) in itself is not evil. Allowing that money or the drive for more to consume yours or my life is 'the root of all kinds of evil'.
Nowhere are these verses proved more true than in third world countries. I've heard stories upon stories, and witnessed for myself, how truly happy a person can be living with next to no possessions. But simply taking a vow of poverty will not lead to happiness. We must remember the last half of Hebrews 13:5. Rather than seeking happiness and contentment in possessions, we must instead find our contentment in God.
God is all we need.
Once we discover the truth in that statement, everything else becomes secondary, especially money.
View Key #1 here.
View Key #2 here.
View Key #3 here.
View Key #4 here.
View Key #5 here.
View Key #6 here.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Key #6 To Successful Money Managing
Key #6: Avoid debt when at all possible.
This is something that could be considered very counter-cultural. We live in a society that tells us we deserve more and better things, whether we can afford them or not. What is great (or maybe not so great) about our society is that you don't have to actually be able to afford something in order to purchase it. Credit cards, bank loans, and other lending tools allows us to bring things home and pay (or attempt to pay) for them later.
The Bible gives a great perspective on debt in Proverbs 22:7:
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
And also here in Romans 13:8:
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
When we borrow money we give up some of our financial freedom. Think about it...if I'm debt free I am able to spend each penny of my paycheck as I see fit (hopefully following God's leading as I do). If I have a $500 monthly debt payment each month, I no longer have any freedom with that part of my money. The more debt you take on, the less freedom you have. This is why the Bible is right on when it says 'the borrower is servant to the lender.'
Have you ever been in a church service where a missionary or someone from a non-profit organization was raising money to help support their work? Have you ever truly wanted to give to the cause but not been able to because of previous financial commitments (read: debt)? My hope is that whenever God lays it on my heart to give money away I will be free to respond in obedience.
I'm attempting to do that by keep to a twofold plan: 1) Planning ahead and save up for large purchases (both expected and unexpected) and 2) Refraining from purchasing things I don't need and can't pay cash for.
*Disclaimer*
There are times in life when going into debt is usually necessary. Paying for college and buying a house are the two most common situations. That being said, it is possible to do both with minimal debt. Both are situations where the item being paid for is a long-term investment that will hopefully last a lifetime. The key is to keep necessary debt as small as possible and avoid all other debt whenever you can.
View Key #1 here.
View Key #2 here.
View Key #3 here.
View Key #4 here.
View Key #5 here.
This is something that could be considered very counter-cultural. We live in a society that tells us we deserve more and better things, whether we can afford them or not. What is great (or maybe not so great) about our society is that you don't have to actually be able to afford something in order to purchase it. Credit cards, bank loans, and other lending tools allows us to bring things home and pay (or attempt to pay) for them later.
The Bible gives a great perspective on debt in Proverbs 22:7:
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
And also here in Romans 13:8:
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
When we borrow money we give up some of our financial freedom. Think about it...if I'm debt free I am able to spend each penny of my paycheck as I see fit (hopefully following God's leading as I do). If I have a $500 monthly debt payment each month, I no longer have any freedom with that part of my money. The more debt you take on, the less freedom you have. This is why the Bible is right on when it says 'the borrower is servant to the lender.'
Have you ever been in a church service where a missionary or someone from a non-profit organization was raising money to help support their work? Have you ever truly wanted to give to the cause but not been able to because of previous financial commitments (read: debt)? My hope is that whenever God lays it on my heart to give money away I will be free to respond in obedience.
I'm attempting to do that by keep to a twofold plan: 1) Planning ahead and save up for large purchases (both expected and unexpected) and 2) Refraining from purchasing things I don't need and can't pay cash for.
*Disclaimer*
There are times in life when going into debt is usually necessary. Paying for college and buying a house are the two most common situations. That being said, it is possible to do both with minimal debt. Both are situations where the item being paid for is a long-term investment that will hopefully last a lifetime. The key is to keep necessary debt as small as possible and avoid all other debt whenever you can.
View Key #1 here.
View Key #2 here.
View Key #3 here.
View Key #4 here.
View Key #5 here.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Key #5 To Successful Money Managing
Key #5: Be wise about when and where you spend money.
Yes, that is pretty vague. We could spend hours debating what is and isn't wise to spend our money on. Here's the principle I'm driving at with this point: create and stick to a budget.
It does take time and effort to maintain a budget. It is difficult to refrain from buying something we'd really like to have (more on that in Key #6). But keeping a budget is a perfect way to be responsible with the money God has given us to manage.
The Bible doesn't necessarily say the word 'budget', but does refer to budgeting principles in Proverbs 24:3-4:
A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
And in Luke 14:28-30:
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
Now, just before these verses in Luke, Jesus is talking about counting the cost of becoming his disciple. I'm not trying to take verses out of context to make a point. But, Jesus does reference the fact that it is foolish to take on financial responsibilities without having a plan. Spending and spending without a budget not only leaves a person wandering aimlessly in their present finances, it also makes it impossible to determine where the money has gone in the past and where it will go in the future.
Through the use of a budget, we are able to abstain from unnecessary debt and take advantage of interest accumulated over time. Which brings us to Key #6...
View Key #1 here.
View Key #2 here.
View Key #3 here.
View Key #4 here.
Yes, that is pretty vague. We could spend hours debating what is and isn't wise to spend our money on. Here's the principle I'm driving at with this point: create and stick to a budget.
It does take time and effort to maintain a budget. It is difficult to refrain from buying something we'd really like to have (more on that in Key #6). But keeping a budget is a perfect way to be responsible with the money God has given us to manage.
The Bible doesn't necessarily say the word 'budget', but does refer to budgeting principles in Proverbs 24:3-4:
A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
And in Luke 14:28-30:
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
Now, just before these verses in Luke, Jesus is talking about counting the cost of becoming his disciple. I'm not trying to take verses out of context to make a point. But, Jesus does reference the fact that it is foolish to take on financial responsibilities without having a plan. Spending and spending without a budget not only leaves a person wandering aimlessly in their present finances, it also makes it impossible to determine where the money has gone in the past and where it will go in the future.
Through the use of a budget, we are able to abstain from unnecessary debt and take advantage of interest accumulated over time. Which brings us to Key #6...
View Key #1 here.
View Key #2 here.
View Key #3 here.
View Key #4 here.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Key #4 To Successful Money Managing
Key #4: Pay your taxes in an honest manner.
I did some research recently about the tax gap in America. Basically the tax gap is the number you get when you subtract how much money our government takes in in tax revenue from how much they should take in if everyone were to be honest on their taxes. In 2001, the tax gap was nearly $300 billion per year! In other words, over the last decade our government has been cheated out of nearly $3 trillion dollars by their own citizens. Or put another way, $300 billion dollars per year means that the government receives $1,000 less than it should for each person in the United States.
Granted, many people disagree with how our government spends the money it does take in, but our national debt would not be nearly as bad as it is if we all were honest on our taxes.
The Bible even has something to say about this matter (which is why we are discussing it) in Romans 13:7:
Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
In other words, not only is it illegal to cheat on taxes, it also goes against what God teaches us.
I understand that when doing taxes there are 'grey areas' open to 'interpretation'. Here's what I would say: If you don't feel comfortable explaining to Jesus what you're doing, don't bother doing it.
As Christians we ought to be setting an example for the world to see and follow, in every area of our life, taxes included.
View Key #1 here.
View Key #2 here.
View Key #3 here.
I did some research recently about the tax gap in America. Basically the tax gap is the number you get when you subtract how much money our government takes in in tax revenue from how much they should take in if everyone were to be honest on their taxes. In 2001, the tax gap was nearly $300 billion per year! In other words, over the last decade our government has been cheated out of nearly $3 trillion dollars by their own citizens. Or put another way, $300 billion dollars per year means that the government receives $1,000 less than it should for each person in the United States.
Granted, many people disagree with how our government spends the money it does take in, but our national debt would not be nearly as bad as it is if we all were honest on our taxes.
The Bible even has something to say about this matter (which is why we are discussing it) in Romans 13:7:
Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
In other words, not only is it illegal to cheat on taxes, it also goes against what God teaches us.
I understand that when doing taxes there are 'grey areas' open to 'interpretation'. Here's what I would say: If you don't feel comfortable explaining to Jesus what you're doing, don't bother doing it.
As Christians we ought to be setting an example for the world to see and follow, in every area of our life, taxes included.
View Key #1 here.
View Key #2 here.
View Key #3 here.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Key #3 To Successful Money Managing
Key #3: If you want to earn money, you have to work for it.
Let me start by saying that I know people do win the lottery. I know rich relatives die and leave an inheritance. I know you occasionally find a $20 bill on the sidewalk. However, those things are not ordinary and should not be counted on.
We don't have to look far to find a get-rich-quick scheme. The news is peppered with people who tried to acquire wealth through cheating others out of theirs. The Bible is clear that this is no way to gain wealth. Proverbs 13:11 states that:
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
Proverbs 28:19 is similar:
A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
These are proverbs and are not meant to be hard and fast rules. There are people in the world who are rich and do little to no work. There are people who work very hard and have little to show for it. The point of these proverbs is to show the kind of lifestyle we ought to live.
When we cut corners and only do things that are quick and easy, we fall into living a life that is only focused upon ourselves and our own needs. Through diligent and hard work we give our employer something valuable in exchange for our paycheck. Our focus broadens so that we actually become aware of the needs of others.
This is the lifestyle we're called to live as Christians. As servants we need to focus less upon ourselves and more upon those around us. Hard work allows us to do that.
When we live our life in this manner, we won't be wasting money on the get-rich-quick schemes and fantasies that Proverbs warns about.
View Key #1 here.
View Key #2 here.
Let me start by saying that I know people do win the lottery. I know rich relatives die and leave an inheritance. I know you occasionally find a $20 bill on the sidewalk. However, those things are not ordinary and should not be counted on.
We don't have to look far to find a get-rich-quick scheme. The news is peppered with people who tried to acquire wealth through cheating others out of theirs. The Bible is clear that this is no way to gain wealth. Proverbs 13:11 states that:
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
Proverbs 28:19 is similar:
A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
These are proverbs and are not meant to be hard and fast rules. There are people in the world who are rich and do little to no work. There are people who work very hard and have little to show for it. The point of these proverbs is to show the kind of lifestyle we ought to live.
When we cut corners and only do things that are quick and easy, we fall into living a life that is only focused upon ourselves and our own needs. Through diligent and hard work we give our employer something valuable in exchange for our paycheck. Our focus broadens so that we actually become aware of the needs of others.
This is the lifestyle we're called to live as Christians. As servants we need to focus less upon ourselves and more upon those around us. Hard work allows us to do that.
When we live our life in this manner, we won't be wasting money on the get-rich-quick schemes and fantasies that Proverbs warns about.
View Key #1 here.
View Key #2 here.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Key #2 To Successful Money Managing
Key #2: Give a portion of your money back to God before you do anything else.
Like I said earlier…unless you view the money in the bank account with your name on it as God’s money, none of these other keys will make sense.
And before I dive into this key, let me state that I’m not seeking to bump up my own paycheck. As a pastor at a church it is extremely hard to talk about giving money to God when the congregation knows full well that my salary comes out of the offering. So, when we talk about giving money back to God, it doesn’t even have to be in the offering plate. It could be done by giving money to a Godly charity or by directly helping to meet the needs of your neighbor. I would suggest that at least a portion of your tithe goes to your local church, but the exact amount is between you and God.
The Jews in the Old Testament were commanded to give a certain percentage of their income to God (a tithe). I’m not going to go into detail here about how that all worked, but I just mention it to show that this concept has been in place from the beginning. In fact, it can be traced all the way back to Cain and Abel bringing their sacrifices before God in Genesis 4.
Whatever amount you decide to give each year, your attitude is of utmost importance. Jesus acknowledges this in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7:
"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
And in Mark 12:41-44:
Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
As you do pray about and follow God’s lead regarding tithing, consider the promises God makes. Proverbs 3:9-10 says:
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
And my absolute favorite (because I don’t know of anywhere else in the Bible where God basically says ‘test me in this’) comes from Malachi 3:6-10:
“I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
We must remember that we are simply managing money for God, and if God wants us to return back to him the first portion, we ought to do so with a joyful heart. God promises us that the remaining sum will be enough.
(A common amount to tithe, taught by many churches and pastors, is 10%. The amount you give should be between you and God. Whether you give more or less, the attitude with which you give needs to be one of joy.)
View Key #1 here.
Like I said earlier…unless you view the money in the bank account with your name on it as God’s money, none of these other keys will make sense.
And before I dive into this key, let me state that I’m not seeking to bump up my own paycheck. As a pastor at a church it is extremely hard to talk about giving money to God when the congregation knows full well that my salary comes out of the offering. So, when we talk about giving money back to God, it doesn’t even have to be in the offering plate. It could be done by giving money to a Godly charity or by directly helping to meet the needs of your neighbor. I would suggest that at least a portion of your tithe goes to your local church, but the exact amount is between you and God.
The Jews in the Old Testament were commanded to give a certain percentage of their income to God (a tithe). I’m not going to go into detail here about how that all worked, but I just mention it to show that this concept has been in place from the beginning. In fact, it can be traced all the way back to Cain and Abel bringing their sacrifices before God in Genesis 4.
Whatever amount you decide to give each year, your attitude is of utmost importance. Jesus acknowledges this in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7:
"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
And in Mark 12:41-44:
Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
As you do pray about and follow God’s lead regarding tithing, consider the promises God makes. Proverbs 3:9-10 says:
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
And my absolute favorite (because I don’t know of anywhere else in the Bible where God basically says ‘test me in this’) comes from Malachi 3:6-10:
“I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’
“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test"
I can remember my parents teaching me this attitude from a young age. I recall receiving a $3 allowance as a kid. The very first thing I would do with that allowance was set aside 10% of it ($0.30) to put in the offering plate at church. Granted, $0.30 didn’t go very far, but I was learning very early on that when I gave away the first 10% of my ‘paycheck’ God would be faithful to meet my needs through the other 90%.We must remember that we are simply managing money for God, and if God wants us to return back to him the first portion, we ought to do so with a joyful heart. God promises us that the remaining sum will be enough.
(A common amount to tithe, taught by many churches and pastors, is 10%. The amount you give should be between you and God. Whether you give more or less, the attitude with which you give needs to be one of joy.)
View Key #1 here.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Key #1 To Successful Money Managing
Key #1: Understand that everything in the world belongs to God.
I’m not sure what it is, but when I see a paycheck with my name on it, next to an amount of money, it is so tempting to think that that money belongs to me. After all, I’ve worked hard the previous week or two and I’ve earned that paycheck. And besides, it isn’t as big as it should be, especially with the government taking their cut! :)
But does that money really belong to me? Deuteronomy 10:14 seems to point to a different owner:
"Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God."
Psalm 50:9-12 emphasizes this point as well:
But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.
Maybe instead of thinking of myself as an owner of my money, I ought to be thinking of myself as God’s money manager. It’s his money; I’m just making sure what is done with that money is pleasing to him.
The question is: Can he trust me to use his money in ways that pleases him? Or am I a person who will take that money and spend it on whatever my heart desires that week?
In Luke 12:42-44, Jesus uses a parable to explain God’s view on the matter:
And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns."
This is logical, right? Anyone who pays an investment broker should have no problem grasping the money managing concept. What would you do if your broker suddenly began using the money you gave him to pay for a trip to Europe? Exactly…you and your money would be looking for another broker who can be trusted to invest your money in a way that pleases you.
We are the brokers for God’s money. Do we invest it in ways that will bring dividends that pleases God? Or do we take that money and spend it on ourselves?
Understanding key #1 is essential to understanding God’s view of money. If we fail to grasp this, none of the other keys we discuss from here out will make any sense. This is the foundation that must be laid before we can successfully manage our, I mean, God’s money. :)
(Just to be clear…when I say ‘your money’ from here on, you and I will both know that the money really belongs to God. I’m just saying ‘your money’ to reference the amount of money God has entrusted to you.)
I’m not sure what it is, but when I see a paycheck with my name on it, next to an amount of money, it is so tempting to think that that money belongs to me. After all, I’ve worked hard the previous week or two and I’ve earned that paycheck. And besides, it isn’t as big as it should be, especially with the government taking their cut! :)
But does that money really belong to me? Deuteronomy 10:14 seems to point to a different owner:
"Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God."
Psalm 50:9-12 emphasizes this point as well:
But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.
Maybe instead of thinking of myself as an owner of my money, I ought to be thinking of myself as God’s money manager. It’s his money; I’m just making sure what is done with that money is pleasing to him.
The question is: Can he trust me to use his money in ways that pleases him? Or am I a person who will take that money and spend it on whatever my heart desires that week?
In Luke 12:42-44, Jesus uses a parable to explain God’s view on the matter:
And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns."
This is logical, right? Anyone who pays an investment broker should have no problem grasping the money managing concept. What would you do if your broker suddenly began using the money you gave him to pay for a trip to Europe? Exactly…you and your money would be looking for another broker who can be trusted to invest your money in a way that pleases you.
We are the brokers for God’s money. Do we invest it in ways that will bring dividends that pleases God? Or do we take that money and spend it on ourselves?
Understanding key #1 is essential to understanding God’s view of money. If we fail to grasp this, none of the other keys we discuss from here out will make any sense. This is the foundation that must be laid before we can successfully manage our, I mean, God’s money. :)
(Just to be clear…when I say ‘your money’ from here on, you and I will both know that the money really belongs to God. I’m just saying ‘your money’ to reference the amount of money God has entrusted to you.)
Money, Money, Money
For our last week at youth group we spent our time talking about one of the most mentioned topics in the Bible: money. The Bible is full of wisdom and tips regarding wealth and possessions. I narrowed these down into ‘7 keys’. I’ll spend the next 7 posts looking in depth at each key.
Disclaimer: Following these ‘7 keys’ is not meant to guarantee an increase of money in your bank account. In fact, it could lead to a smaller bank account, depending on who you are. These keys are meant to help us successfully manage the money God has given to us. My goal isn’t that everyone who reads this will become rich. My goal is that everyone who reads this will get to heaven one day and hear God tell them that they did an awesome job handling his money!
Disclaimer: Following these ‘7 keys’ is not meant to guarantee an increase of money in your bank account. In fact, it could lead to a smaller bank account, depending on who you are. These keys are meant to help us successfully manage the money God has given to us. My goal isn’t that everyone who reads this will become rich. My goal is that everyone who reads this will get to heaven one day and hear God tell them that they did an awesome job handling his money!
So stay tuned for the 7 Keys to Successfully Managing Money (through God’s eyes).
Friday, May 06, 2011
A Powerful Muscle
Have you ever stopped to think about which muscle in your body is the most powerful? Abs, biceps, calves, and the heart all pop into my mind.
But what about the tiny, little tongue?
You wouldn't catch my tongue bench-pressing 200lbs, but the power it still possesses boggles the mind. My tongue has the power to get me booted off of an airplane, ruin someones life, or even send me to prison. It's incredible how many lives can be messed up from such a small muscle.
The Bible mentions this theme in James 3:2-12. James compares the tongue to a rudder on a ship, the bit in a horse's mouth, and a spark causing a forest fire. We've probably all got firsthand stories of times when our tongue got us into trouble. We can attest to the fact that the tongue cannot be tamed, as James also mentions. Maybe our tongues should come with warning labels attached!
As depressing as this all sounds, there is good news! Even though we cannot tame our tongues, God, in his infinite power and wisdom, can help us. When we seek his help and guidance, our tongues become an agent for incredible good rather than evil.
I mentioned the negative power of the tongue earlier, but it also possesses great potential for good. Your tongue also has the power to speak words of encouragement, hope, and even direct someone towards the path to heaven. Yes, your tongue can literally assist in helping someone to move from a path headed toward hell to one headed for heaven.
When we surrender control of our tongue to God, he can use it to perform great things in the world. It doesn't take any special license or certificate to use your tongue in this manner. The only thing required is allowing God to have his way.
Proverbs 18:21 speaks great truth: The tongue can bring death or life...
Which will your tongue bring?
But what about the tiny, little tongue?
You wouldn't catch my tongue bench-pressing 200lbs, but the power it still possesses boggles the mind. My tongue has the power to get me booted off of an airplane, ruin someones life, or even send me to prison. It's incredible how many lives can be messed up from such a small muscle.
The Bible mentions this theme in James 3:2-12. James compares the tongue to a rudder on a ship, the bit in a horse's mouth, and a spark causing a forest fire. We've probably all got firsthand stories of times when our tongue got us into trouble. We can attest to the fact that the tongue cannot be tamed, as James also mentions. Maybe our tongues should come with warning labels attached!
As depressing as this all sounds, there is good news! Even though we cannot tame our tongues, God, in his infinite power and wisdom, can help us. When we seek his help and guidance, our tongues become an agent for incredible good rather than evil.
I mentioned the negative power of the tongue earlier, but it also possesses great potential for good. Your tongue also has the power to speak words of encouragement, hope, and even direct someone towards the path to heaven. Yes, your tongue can literally assist in helping someone to move from a path headed toward hell to one headed for heaven.
When we surrender control of our tongue to God, he can use it to perform great things in the world. It doesn't take any special license or certificate to use your tongue in this manner. The only thing required is allowing God to have his way.
Proverbs 18:21 speaks great truth: The tongue can bring death or life...
Which will your tongue bring?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Better Together Pt. 3
We've spent two weeks talking about 1) what the early church looked like and 2) what our roles as individuals are in the church. Finally, we discuss what makes the church any different from a major corporation.
As we've said earlier, each individual in the church ought to be using their unique gifts and talents to serve within that church. The body functions best when people are performing tasks that coincide with what they are good at and enjoy doing.
But can't the same be said for a corporation like McDonald's?
If McDonald's is running efficiently each person in the corporation will be performing his or her assigned task. A vice-president might not be equipped to make a Big Mac and a food delivery driver may not enjoy managing a franchise.
So what distinguishes the church from McDonald's?
In a word...love.
As Jesus was talking with the disciples in John 13:34-35, the topic came up about how people in the world would know that they were followers of Jesus. He gave them a simple and yet insanely tough task of loving the people of the world.
As a follower of Jesus myself, I read that statement and have no problems with the thought of it. But a question comes to mind: How do we love one another?
There are many examples of what love is NOT supposed to look like in our world today. Movies, friends, songs, and even parents can be bad examples of love. So how do we know what it looks like to truly love one another?
Another simple yet tough task: Follow the example of Jesus.
Jesus loved everyone regardless of race, financial standing, past sin, or attitude. He ate meals with people he was supposed to avoid. He healed people who weren't grateful. He wasn't just focused on earthly things, but on the eternal souls of people.
Jesus loved people in order to help them restore their broken relationship with God.
This is why the church differs from McDonald's. The church ought to be full of people who love each other and care about the eternal souls of others.
Do you love as Jesus loved? If not, how will anyone know you're a follower of Jesus?
As we've said earlier, each individual in the church ought to be using their unique gifts and talents to serve within that church. The body functions best when people are performing tasks that coincide with what they are good at and enjoy doing.
But can't the same be said for a corporation like McDonald's?
If McDonald's is running efficiently each person in the corporation will be performing his or her assigned task. A vice-president might not be equipped to make a Big Mac and a food delivery driver may not enjoy managing a franchise.
So what distinguishes the church from McDonald's?
In a word...love.
As Jesus was talking with the disciples in John 13:34-35, the topic came up about how people in the world would know that they were followers of Jesus. He gave them a simple and yet insanely tough task of loving the people of the world.
As a follower of Jesus myself, I read that statement and have no problems with the thought of it. But a question comes to mind: How do we love one another?
There are many examples of what love is NOT supposed to look like in our world today. Movies, friends, songs, and even parents can be bad examples of love. So how do we know what it looks like to truly love one another?
Another simple yet tough task: Follow the example of Jesus.
Jesus loved everyone regardless of race, financial standing, past sin, or attitude. He ate meals with people he was supposed to avoid. He healed people who weren't grateful. He wasn't just focused on earthly things, but on the eternal souls of people.
Jesus loved people in order to help them restore their broken relationship with God.
This is why the church differs from McDonald's. The church ought to be full of people who love each other and care about the eternal souls of others.
Do you love as Jesus loved? If not, how will anyone know you're a follower of Jesus?
Friday, April 08, 2011
Better Together Pt. 2
Last week we discussed the first church and how it all got started. This week we fast forward ahead to today and examine our role in the church as individuals.
There are certain phrases that a pastor hears from time to time after a Sunday morning service:
*I really enjoyed the service today Pastor.
*I thought the sermon was awesome this morning.
*I liked the song selection today.
*Thanks for getting us (pronounced: me) out early!
Now, let me begin by saying that there isn't anything inherently wrong with any of those statements. But...what (or rather, whom) do all those statement revolve around? Yup, you guessed it: I.
As a pastor when I hear those statements I always try to dig down below the words. The reason I do this is because some people really felt the Holy Spirit working and others simply were entertained from an individual standpoint. Why do I try to distinguish between the two? Because I'm overjoyed when the Holy Spirit speaks to you; I'm saddened when you leave simply entertained.
What is your primary reason for going to church? Is it because it's comfortable and enjoyable or is it because it's challenging and life-altering?
Imagine a church where everyone's individual desires were catered to. Imagine a church where the pastor did everything for the congregation. Imagine a church were being uncomfortable equaled transferring to another church.
When Paul talks about the church in 1 Corinthians 12:14-21, he compares the church to a body. The body is formed of different parts all created for specific purposes. In order for the body to function properly, all parts must be doing their jobs.
This is common sense when talking about the body, but do we view the church in the same light? Do you view your church as broken when your gifts and talents are removed from it?
We're created as individuals by an awesome God. The uniqueness we see in ourselves was created for a reason. When you fail to take your place in the church body, the whole body suffers. Too many times we're focused on trying to serve exactly like somebody else in the church. We see their impact and want to mimic their ministry (we pastors are notorious for this). Other times we simply sit in the pew and watch everyone else do the work. Neither is the recipe for a healthy church body.
In order for the church to function as it is intended, each and every person needs to be active in the church body by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through his or her gifts and talents.
Are your gifts and talents being full utilized in the church? If not, why not?
There are certain phrases that a pastor hears from time to time after a Sunday morning service:
*I really enjoyed the service today Pastor.
*I thought the sermon was awesome this morning.
*I liked the song selection today.
*Thanks for getting us (pronounced: me) out early!
Now, let me begin by saying that there isn't anything inherently wrong with any of those statements. But...what (or rather, whom) do all those statement revolve around? Yup, you guessed it: I.
As a pastor when I hear those statements I always try to dig down below the words. The reason I do this is because some people really felt the Holy Spirit working and others simply were entertained from an individual standpoint. Why do I try to distinguish between the two? Because I'm overjoyed when the Holy Spirit speaks to you; I'm saddened when you leave simply entertained.
What is your primary reason for going to church? Is it because it's comfortable and enjoyable or is it because it's challenging and life-altering?
Imagine a church where everyone's individual desires were catered to. Imagine a church where the pastor did everything for the congregation. Imagine a church were being uncomfortable equaled transferring to another church.
When Paul talks about the church in 1 Corinthians 12:14-21, he compares the church to a body. The body is formed of different parts all created for specific purposes. In order for the body to function properly, all parts must be doing their jobs.
This is common sense when talking about the body, but do we view the church in the same light? Do you view your church as broken when your gifts and talents are removed from it?
We're created as individuals by an awesome God. The uniqueness we see in ourselves was created for a reason. When you fail to take your place in the church body, the whole body suffers. Too many times we're focused on trying to serve exactly like somebody else in the church. We see their impact and want to mimic their ministry (we pastors are notorious for this). Other times we simply sit in the pew and watch everyone else do the work. Neither is the recipe for a healthy church body.
In order for the church to function as it is intended, each and every person needs to be active in the church body by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through his or her gifts and talents.
Are your gifts and talents being full utilized in the church? If not, why not?
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Impact of television
A quote I want to share from the book 'The Sacredness of Questioning Everything' by David Dark.
(Referring to the impact of media, specifically television, on our lives):
"We get to the point that we save our strongest emotions for the people who don't exist. Or in the case of sports figures, celebrity politicians, and radio talk show hosts, we get most worked up and alive (if you can call it being alive) by the way of people we don't know and who in all likelihood don't want to know us. The living, breathing people next door or in the next cubicle or in the same house who might benefit from our showing up to them emotionally get left behind."
Makes me wonder how harmless (or harmful) TV really is...
(Referring to the impact of media, specifically television, on our lives):
"We get to the point that we save our strongest emotions for the people who don't exist. Or in the case of sports figures, celebrity politicians, and radio talk show hosts, we get most worked up and alive (if you can call it being alive) by the way of people we don't know and who in all likelihood don't want to know us. The living, breathing people next door or in the next cubicle or in the same house who might benefit from our showing up to them emotionally get left behind."
Makes me wonder how harmless (or harmful) TV really is...
Monday, April 04, 2011
Better Together Pt. 1
For the next 3 weeks in youth groups we're discussing the church. We started our series in the most logical place to do so: examining the first church in Acts 2.
The picture of the first church that's painted in Acts 2:42-47 is truly something to behold. It's hard to imagine any Christian can read that description and not desire to be a part of something like that. In some ways it's similar to most churches today and in some ways it's quite different. But what struck me has nothing to do with either the similarities or the differences.
I've read this passage numerous times before and a question popped into my head for the very first time: Where did this church come from?
This church comes into existence literally days after Jesus ascended into heaven. But the ground work for the church goes back farther.
Jesus lived on earth for somewhere around 30 years. However, his public ministry took place for 3 years. During those 3 years he had 12 disciples who spent the majority of their time with Jesus. When you hear the word disciple, think apprentice. And I'm not talking about Donald Trump here. I'm talking about a person who watches and imitates somebody so that they can learn their ways/craft/profession in order to someday either branch out on their own or perhaps even take over for the master.
This is what the disciples were doing for 3 years. Jesus spent that time teaching them how to take over for him once he finished his work on earth and ascended back into heaven. 11 of those 12 disciples got it. It might not have been the smoothest process, but as the pages of our Bible flip from the gospels to Acts, we see a force of believers powered by the Holy Spirit that is unstoppable.
As the disciples take over for Jesus and in turn train new disciples, the vehicle they use to accomplish this is (drum roll, please) the church! It wasn't as if Jesus went into heaven and suddenly the disciples sought out a church to join. They continued carrying on the ministry of Jesus and what resulted was the church.
Read that again. The disciples continued carrying on the ministry of Jesus and what resulted was the church. The church didn't exist to provide some sort of measuring tool for God to reference when deciding our eternal fate. The church exists when we continue to carry out the work of Jesus today.
Read the description of the church in Acts 2:42-47 again and tell me if that doesn't sound exactly like what Jesus was doing while he was on earth.
The church isn't a building. It's not a pastor. It's not even an institution. It's the result of people seeking to continue on as an apprentice of the Son of God. Anything else claiming to be a church just simply isn't.
The picture of the first church that's painted in Acts 2:42-47 is truly something to behold. It's hard to imagine any Christian can read that description and not desire to be a part of something like that. In some ways it's similar to most churches today and in some ways it's quite different. But what struck me has nothing to do with either the similarities or the differences.
I've read this passage numerous times before and a question popped into my head for the very first time: Where did this church come from?
This church comes into existence literally days after Jesus ascended into heaven. But the ground work for the church goes back farther.
Jesus lived on earth for somewhere around 30 years. However, his public ministry took place for 3 years. During those 3 years he had 12 disciples who spent the majority of their time with Jesus. When you hear the word disciple, think apprentice. And I'm not talking about Donald Trump here. I'm talking about a person who watches and imitates somebody so that they can learn their ways/craft/profession in order to someday either branch out on their own or perhaps even take over for the master.
This is what the disciples were doing for 3 years. Jesus spent that time teaching them how to take over for him once he finished his work on earth and ascended back into heaven. 11 of those 12 disciples got it. It might not have been the smoothest process, but as the pages of our Bible flip from the gospels to Acts, we see a force of believers powered by the Holy Spirit that is unstoppable.
As the disciples take over for Jesus and in turn train new disciples, the vehicle they use to accomplish this is (drum roll, please) the church! It wasn't as if Jesus went into heaven and suddenly the disciples sought out a church to join. They continued carrying on the ministry of Jesus and what resulted was the church.
Read that again. The disciples continued carrying on the ministry of Jesus and what resulted was the church. The church didn't exist to provide some sort of measuring tool for God to reference when deciding our eternal fate. The church exists when we continue to carry out the work of Jesus today.
Read the description of the church in Acts 2:42-47 again and tell me if that doesn't sound exactly like what Jesus was doing while he was on earth.
The church isn't a building. It's not a pastor. It's not even an institution. It's the result of people seeking to continue on as an apprentice of the Son of God. Anything else claiming to be a church just simply isn't.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Trinity Pt. 3
Our third and final week on the Trinity focuses on the Holy Spirit: our Counselor.
There are many things the Holy Spirit does in our lives. We are going to just focus on a couple of those.
In John 16:6-15, Jesus makes a pretty shocking statement. He tells the disciples that it is better for them if he is taken away into heaven so that the Holy Spirit can be sent. Can you imagine Jesus telling you that face to face?
How can it be better for Jesus, God himself in human flesh, to leave earth? What is better than being able to sit and chat with the God of the universe over coffee?
The problem with sitting with Jesus over coffee isn't the ability to do so...it's the availability to do so. There are 6+ billion people on earth. If there truly are 1 billion Christians as some experts say, imagine all billion of those people wanting to have a chat with God in flesh (because everyone would). To make an appointment with God to discuss an upcoming job offer might mean waiting in line for 28 years! Can you imagine waiting that long to speak with God?
Jesus gave up certain abilities when he became human; specifically, omnipresence. He is no longer able to be everywhere at the same time. He set that ability aside in order to walk this earth as a human.
Enter the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit does possess omnipresence. Consequently, he can be everywhere at once, which means he's able to be present with all Christians everywhere. Your wait time to speak with God just drop from 28 years to 28 nanoseconds! Maybe Jesus was on to something. Maybe it really is better that he left earth and sent the Holy Spirit. But how does the Holy Spirit work in the lives of Christians? Here are a couple ways:
1. The Holy Spirit reveals right and wrong
Some people chalk this up to a conscience. A conscience is nothing more than an implanted set of morals learned somewhere in life (usually in the development of a child). The Holy Spirit leads in a different way. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the right and wrong choices before us from the view of God. Morality is no longer our compass. God now guides us. The Holy Spirit will never force us to make a decision either way, but He will reveal to us what is and isn't sin if we'll take the time to listen.
2. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom for living
At first glance this might seem the same as #1. There is an important difference here, however. Sometimes in life our choices are not between right and wrong, but between good, better, and best. Some examples might be the aforementioned question regarding a job offer. Another example might be the decision between two college courses available during summer term. Neither decision is necessarily a sin and thus a wrong decision. But how do we know which decision is best according to God's desire for our lives? The Holy Spirit will guide us in these decisions as well.
The question might naturally arise: "That's great, but how do I know where the Holy Spirit is leading me?"
Galatians 5:16-25 is a good starting point. The Holy Spirit will never lead us into sin. And while there is no cut-and-dry answer about the best way to hear the Holy Spirit, there are principles we can follow.
*The best way to hear the Holy Spirit is through the Bible.
*The Holy Spirit sometimes speaks through Godly people in our lives.
*The Holy Spirit sometimes speaks through visions and dreams.
My advice: pray and read. Through prayer and Bible reading we can increase greatly our ability to hear and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
There are many things the Holy Spirit does in our lives. We are going to just focus on a couple of those.
In John 16:6-15, Jesus makes a pretty shocking statement. He tells the disciples that it is better for them if he is taken away into heaven so that the Holy Spirit can be sent. Can you imagine Jesus telling you that face to face?
How can it be better for Jesus, God himself in human flesh, to leave earth? What is better than being able to sit and chat with the God of the universe over coffee?
The problem with sitting with Jesus over coffee isn't the ability to do so...it's the availability to do so. There are 6+ billion people on earth. If there truly are 1 billion Christians as some experts say, imagine all billion of those people wanting to have a chat with God in flesh (because everyone would). To make an appointment with God to discuss an upcoming job offer might mean waiting in line for 28 years! Can you imagine waiting that long to speak with God?
Jesus gave up certain abilities when he became human; specifically, omnipresence. He is no longer able to be everywhere at the same time. He set that ability aside in order to walk this earth as a human.
Enter the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit does possess omnipresence. Consequently, he can be everywhere at once, which means he's able to be present with all Christians everywhere. Your wait time to speak with God just drop from 28 years to 28 nanoseconds! Maybe Jesus was on to something. Maybe it really is better that he left earth and sent the Holy Spirit. But how does the Holy Spirit work in the lives of Christians? Here are a couple ways:
1. The Holy Spirit reveals right and wrong
Some people chalk this up to a conscience. A conscience is nothing more than an implanted set of morals learned somewhere in life (usually in the development of a child). The Holy Spirit leads in a different way. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the right and wrong choices before us from the view of God. Morality is no longer our compass. God now guides us. The Holy Spirit will never force us to make a decision either way, but He will reveal to us what is and isn't sin if we'll take the time to listen.
2. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom for living
At first glance this might seem the same as #1. There is an important difference here, however. Sometimes in life our choices are not between right and wrong, but between good, better, and best. Some examples might be the aforementioned question regarding a job offer. Another example might be the decision between two college courses available during summer term. Neither decision is necessarily a sin and thus a wrong decision. But how do we know which decision is best according to God's desire for our lives? The Holy Spirit will guide us in these decisions as well.
The question might naturally arise: "That's great, but how do I know where the Holy Spirit is leading me?"
Galatians 5:16-25 is a good starting point. The Holy Spirit will never lead us into sin. And while there is no cut-and-dry answer about the best way to hear the Holy Spirit, there are principles we can follow.
*The best way to hear the Holy Spirit is through the Bible.
*The Holy Spirit sometimes speaks through Godly people in our lives.
*The Holy Spirit sometimes speaks through visions and dreams.
My advice: pray and read. Through prayer and Bible reading we can increase greatly our ability to hear and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Friday, March 04, 2011
The Trinity Pt. 2
Last week: God the Father as our Provider. This week: God the Son as our Savior.
In order to understand the role of Jesus (God the Son) as our savior, we must understand why it's essential for Jesus to have been both fully God and fully human. Let's begin by setting the plot:
God created Adam and Eve perfectly and put them in the perfect Garden of Eden (Genesis 1 & 2). Adam and Eve then decided, with the help of Satan, that they would disobey God. (Genesis 3) Thus, sin entered the world and the consequences of that decision have been felt ever since. The personal, intimate relationship that humans were created to have with God was lost. This might not seem like such a big deal, except for the fact that we were created for that relationship. Anything short of it leaves us empty and broken.
Since that relationship has been lost, the question might arise: Can we get it back? If so, how?
Some good news...Yes, it can be restored. And the bad news...There's nothing we can do to get it back.
When sin came into our lives, two things happened: 1) We are now guilty of sin, which means we must pay the accompanying penalty of death (Romans 6:23) . 2) Sin takes root in our lives and holds us captive (Romans 8:7-8). In order for our relationship with God to be restored, those two things must be dealt with.
Enter Jesus.
Because he is both fully God and fully human, Jesus is able to defeat both results of sin. He came to earth and lived a sinless life as a human. Consequently, he was not guilty of the death penalty like the rest of mankind. He was then able to offer himself in our place. The guilt we've earned, Jesus was able to take upon himself. He did just that when he was crucified upon the cross.
But it doesn't stop there. If that was the end of the story, we'd be free to have a relationship with a God who is now dead. Not very appealing. But Jesus rose from the dead ultimately defeating sin and death. Through that victory Jesus is able to set us free to begin the relationship with him that we were created for back in Genesis. It's a relationship that will ultimately last for all of eternity.
Jesus won't, however, force himself upon us. He's taken our guilt and he's defeated sin, but he won't bully us into a relationship. The choice is ours. We can either die for our sins as we deserve (and spend eternity apart from God) or we can allow Jesus to take our penalty for us (and spend eternity with God).
Jesus loves you so much that he came to earth and suffered a terrible death as an innocent man. And he did it all so you could spend eternity with him. How will you respond to him today?
In order to understand the role of Jesus (God the Son) as our savior, we must understand why it's essential for Jesus to have been both fully God and fully human. Let's begin by setting the plot:
God created Adam and Eve perfectly and put them in the perfect Garden of Eden (Genesis 1 & 2). Adam and Eve then decided, with the help of Satan, that they would disobey God. (Genesis 3) Thus, sin entered the world and the consequences of that decision have been felt ever since. The personal, intimate relationship that humans were created to have with God was lost. This might not seem like such a big deal, except for the fact that we were created for that relationship. Anything short of it leaves us empty and broken.
Since that relationship has been lost, the question might arise: Can we get it back? If so, how?
Some good news...Yes, it can be restored. And the bad news...There's nothing we can do to get it back.
When sin came into our lives, two things happened: 1) We are now guilty of sin, which means we must pay the accompanying penalty of death (Romans 6:23) . 2) Sin takes root in our lives and holds us captive (Romans 8:7-8). In order for our relationship with God to be restored, those two things must be dealt with.
Enter Jesus.
Because he is both fully God and fully human, Jesus is able to defeat both results of sin. He came to earth and lived a sinless life as a human. Consequently, he was not guilty of the death penalty like the rest of mankind. He was then able to offer himself in our place. The guilt we've earned, Jesus was able to take upon himself. He did just that when he was crucified upon the cross.
But it doesn't stop there. If that was the end of the story, we'd be free to have a relationship with a God who is now dead. Not very appealing. But Jesus rose from the dead ultimately defeating sin and death. Through that victory Jesus is able to set us free to begin the relationship with him that we were created for back in Genesis. It's a relationship that will ultimately last for all of eternity.
Jesus won't, however, force himself upon us. He's taken our guilt and he's defeated sin, but he won't bully us into a relationship. The choice is ours. We can either die for our sins as we deserve (and spend eternity apart from God) or we can allow Jesus to take our penalty for us (and spend eternity with God).
Jesus loves you so much that he came to earth and suffered a terrible death as an innocent man. And he did it all so you could spend eternity with him. How will you respond to him today?
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