Tag: Giving

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

How to Love People You Don’t Like – Greg Morse (DG)
He saw beyond the unlikeable to make them his beloved.

Sin Is Immaturity – Tim Challies
With every year that comes and goes, the more disturbing it becomes to see the childishness that remains in me.

The Key to Happiness Is More Stuff . . . Right? – Erik Raymond (Crossway)
Contentment actually is inward rather than outward, and it’s a work of God’s grace rather than a work of our flesh.

4 Truths About Christian Giving – J. I Packer (Crossway)
When we set ourselves to think about Christian money management, in whatever connection, from buying groceries to supporting missionaries to investing in industry to financing a holiday, the first thing we have to get clear on is that the money that is ours to manage is not ours, but God’s. Yes, we have been given it to use, but it remains his. We have it as a loan, and in due course we must give account to him of what we have done with it.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

From Stealing To Giving

On By BrianIn Ten Commandments

TenCommandsThe Eighth Commandment tells us not to steal. We must not shoplift, take items from work, waste time while on the clock, lie on our expense accounts, or cheat on our taxes. We must not kidnap, embezzle, or commit fraud. We must not cheat on a test or plagiarize someone’s work. We must not rob someone of their reputation, or steal glory from God. We must not steal.

Instead we must work to provide for our needs in an honest way. We must earn what we have. And yet, God calls us to go further. We must work so that we can give to those in need (Ephesians 4:28).

Instead of stealing, our lives are to be marked by giving. Instead of hands that grab what belongs to another, we are to have open hands that share with others. God is a giving God, and we, who are made in his image and are being conformed back into his image, should be a giving people.

Is your life characterized by giving?

The Discipline of Giving

On By BrianIn Book Look, Habit of Stewardship

The Men’s Discipleship Group at my church went through R. Kent Hughes book, Disciplines of a Godly Man this past year. It was a good study. One discipline Hughes focused on was giving. He calls for a disciplined understanding of giving and a disciplined act of giving.

Disciplined Understanding of Giving

  • Giving is not a meritorious work.
  • Giving does bring blessing.
  • Giving which pleases God is generous and sacrificial.
  • Giving should never be decided casually or flippantly, but through serious prayer.

Disciplined Act of Giving

  • The act of giving should be accompanied by offering oneself to the Lord.
  • Everyone should at least consider the first 10 percent as a starting point in giving – a minimum.
  • Your giving ought to be regular.
  • You must begin giving now.
  • Giving should not only be regular, but responsive to need, spontaneous.
  • Your giving should be joyous.

Operation Christmas Child

On By BrianIn Uncategorized

Operation Christmas Child

My family and church have been packing boxes for a few years now.  My family goes to the stores together, and each of our children packs a box for a child their own age.  It makes for a great family outing and is a great way to get children involved in giving.  And of course, it can be a huge blessing to the child who receives the box – and even provides an opportunity for the child to learn about Jesus.  Great family or church project!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

When the Gospel Invades Your Office – Interview with Tim Keller (via Gospel Coalition)
It is quite possible to believe that your deepest identity should be in Christ, but still have a heart functioning as if it is grounded in your work.

8 Observations About Sacrificial Giving – J.D. Greear
Everybody had a part because God was not after a few resources of a few wealthy people; he was after the hearts of all his people.

Seven Reasons Why Evangelism Should Be A Priority Of Your Church – Thom Rainer
Pastors and other leaders must fall on their faces before God and ask Him to reignite their congregations with an evangelistic passion. When evangelism dies as a priority in the church, the church has already begun to die.

6 Simple Ways To Be Missional – Tim Chester (via Resurgence)
We all eat three meals a day. That’s 21 opportunities for church and mission each week without adding anything new to your schedule. And meals are a powerful expression of welcome and community.

How To Grow In Courage – Kevin DeYoung
You will not be bold to speak of Jesus unless you spend much time with Jesus. Courage comes out of communion.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping our great God with your local church!