February-March 2008

VITAL SIGNS #6: JOYFUL GENEROSITY

While one month of 2008 is already history, it is still early 2008! There is something about the beginning of a new year that prods us toward a fresh start. We take a look at our lives and resolve to mstart a savings plan, and give more than 10% of my income to God through the local church! After all life is somewhat like Frank says to Ernest in the comics, “What it comes down to is, when you come into the world you have nothing. When you leave, you have nothing, and in-between there is the IRS.” Frankly. I prefer our ninth Core Value over Frank and Ernest. “We value uncluttered lives, which free us to love boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully.” In healthy growing churches there is an excitement about joyful generosity!

Jesus’ statement recorded in Luke 6:38 is classic: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” It really is amazing when we give to God first, He becomes supernaturally involved in our supply and management! We turn away from debt on consumer goods because “...the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7) We begin to save for purchases by making payments into a savings account and earning interest rather than paying interest. So Proverbs 13:11 is fulfilled: “...he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” The decision must then be made to resist our secular society’s pressure and live within our means over the long haul of life. The result is a buffer from which to give offerings beyond the 10% tithe! Never doubt Jesus’ words remembered by Paul and recorded in Acts 20:35: “...It is more blessed to give than to receive.” That is, there is more happiness in God, more joy in generous giving than in receiving, whether through greedy grasping or receiving a gift from a loved one.

Vibrant growing churches model joyful generosity by giving beyond 10% to Cooperative Ministries, serving in the local community and mission ministries beyond the walls of the church. In healthy developing congregations, Vital Signs #5, “Life-Giving Worship”, and #6, “Joyful Generosity”, blend together as the offering becomes central in the worship celebration. “...bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord...” (Psalm 96: 8-9) Worshippers present a financial offering to God symbolic of presenting themselves to God. (Romans 12:1) Thus, the stranglehold of the love (worship) of money is broken and healthy congregational growth blossoms and brings forth fruit in each disciple of Jesus!

Our Vital Signs bookmark summarizes: “Healthy churches encourage people to clear away the clutter in their lives so they can love boldly, give generously, serve joyfully, and honor God with their time, talent, and treasure.” There is no greater experience of joy than in giving, because when we give, we are most like God!

In joyful partnership in Christ, the greatest of all givers,

Bishop John

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