Giving: From A Child's Perspective from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
I encourage you to read Aftershock!
I was given the book Aftershock to read. Today I did just that. It is a book written by David Wiedemer PhD, Robert A Wiedemer, and Cindy Spitzer. It is the second book in a series that deals with the Economic downturn in America and the world. The popularity of this second book has grown with the realization that the first book with the predictions of "bubbles" popping was actually spot on.
This second book deals with what is still to come and the already indicators being seen today show that the predictions and conclusions will be close, if not as accurate as the the first. It is not a book of wild predictions and scary tales. It is one that simply takes the data and deals with it responsibly. It is not a "Christian" book but this is the part that really got me thinking. Though absent is the "end time" plans and predictions of the demise of the world and the return of our Lord, the book does show that we are quickly, and maybe more quickly than we realize, moving towards a One World system of Government and Finance. As such, the implications for us as Christians are obvious; or they should be.
Though all resistance from a political/patriotic stance will surely come as should a Biblical resistance as well, we all know that the Bible is clear in this new era arriving and being part of the plan. Though the authors make NO mention of such, I found the path clearly revealed and being realized today drawing me to the Bible and to exactly what it says about the time if Anti Christ. I think it is prudent that we understand where we are in the world and where we are progressing towards at ballistic speed. It is here that the passion for ministry to a world that is and will be more shocked and depressed at the changing economic fortunes will be key.
As we look to the future of ministry I think it is important to realize that the day of debt and excesses are about to be brought to a halt by the one force we never realized - the economy of excess itself. People will be dropped into a reality that none truly thought would occur. Governments will fail. The dollar will fade into history. What has always been will not return. Depression as we are already seeing will continue to rise as our bodies and minds get hit with the truth that "stuff" will not be possible to maintain. Where we have played at the idea of "trusting in Christ" we will soon people forced to deal with their dependence on things no longer obtainable. The truth of our false gods will be clear even in church circles.
As leaders of churches and ministries I pray that we are looking at the data and that our vision casting is based on needs coming rather than goals of the past. The future will be full of opportunities to minister to people. It is easy to see that churches will either meet this need and become centers for ministry and aid instead of playgrounds and clubs or the party will be over for many.
I encourage you to go out and get Aftershock. It is a great read and one that will challenge your vision for tomorrow in a fruitful way.
Are we ready for the mission? Eklund Stewardship Ministries is here to assist. We believe in the New Testament Church and we are called to help your church get ready for the ministry that God has for you!
This second book deals with what is still to come and the already indicators being seen today show that the predictions and conclusions will be close, if not as accurate as the the first. It is not a book of wild predictions and scary tales. It is one that simply takes the data and deals with it responsibly. It is not a "Christian" book but this is the part that really got me thinking. Though absent is the "end time" plans and predictions of the demise of the world and the return of our Lord, the book does show that we are quickly, and maybe more quickly than we realize, moving towards a One World system of Government and Finance. As such, the implications for us as Christians are obvious; or they should be.
Though all resistance from a political/patriotic stance will surely come as should a Biblical resistance as well, we all know that the Bible is clear in this new era arriving and being part of the plan. Though the authors make NO mention of such, I found the path clearly revealed and being realized today drawing me to the Bible and to exactly what it says about the time if Anti Christ. I think it is prudent that we understand where we are in the world and where we are progressing towards at ballistic speed. It is here that the passion for ministry to a world that is and will be more shocked and depressed at the changing economic fortunes will be key.
As we look to the future of ministry I think it is important to realize that the day of debt and excesses are about to be brought to a halt by the one force we never realized - the economy of excess itself. People will be dropped into a reality that none truly thought would occur. Governments will fail. The dollar will fade into history. What has always been will not return. Depression as we are already seeing will continue to rise as our bodies and minds get hit with the truth that "stuff" will not be possible to maintain. Where we have played at the idea of "trusting in Christ" we will soon people forced to deal with their dependence on things no longer obtainable. The truth of our false gods will be clear even in church circles.
As leaders of churches and ministries I pray that we are looking at the data and that our vision casting is based on needs coming rather than goals of the past. The future will be full of opportunities to minister to people. It is easy to see that churches will either meet this need and become centers for ministry and aid instead of playgrounds and clubs or the party will be over for many.
I encourage you to go out and get Aftershock. It is a great read and one that will challenge your vision for tomorrow in a fruitful way.
Are we ready for the mission? Eklund Stewardship Ministries is here to assist. We believe in the New Testament Church and we are called to help your church get ready for the ministry that God has for you!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Stewardship and Church Giving
In discussions related to tithing and giving in general to God's churches the questions raised usually sooner than later highlight one of the great needs of our day. We will address a few of these questions in this continuation of our series. The practical side of "tithing" and giving will show the depth of need in American churches that once was not an issue but now is at critical mass.
The first reason given these days is that the church is NOT required in the New Testament to receive such. The rationale behind such a statement comes from those within the New Covenant Theology spectrum that love to highlight the breakdown of the tithes instructed by God that Israel was to bring to the Temple. Since the Temple is not part of the New Testament, then, in their reasoning, the church should not be recipients of tithing.
Lost in the discussion of this type of teaching is the fact that the Bible clearly shows that the New Testament endorses churches as God's ordained entities for the work of the ministry. Key in this discussion is the threat of the idea that there is a Universal church instead of a Universal Body. If such existed as taught then one could argue that instead of setting aside monies for a person's home church, one could make the decision that something else is more deserving and thus give to that need instead of to one's church. It sounds wonderful to many; especially those who see abuses of wasted money by a few churches that lack accountability and missiological purpose. But there is a danger here that cannot be ignored.
When we move from an understanding that God established and ordained churches for His work we move from His plan. We weaken churches. We weaken Missions around the world. We move to a system of thought that says I can hear from God and do as He tells me and my church may not be in the equation. A great question to ask at this point which few address is actually a simple one:
Would God ordain churches and NOT provide for their funding in scripture?
Any attempt to leave out the first priority of one's church is extremely poor Biblical Theology. Leaving out the local church is like saying to your heart, I don't like the maintenance required so I am going to take you out. The body could not live long at all right? God gave us the New Testament church. We have corrupted her greatly in America but God still has not given us an alternative. In fact He did not give us a choice. Ephesians is clear that God provides every gift for the church for the purpose of her caring out the mission - the Great Commission! It is the church that is to hold us accountable as individuals. It is the church that is to provide for the teaching and discipleship of the people that are reached with the Gospel. The gifts given were given to local churches to honor God in doing the work of God. Each one of us according to Ephesians are part of the body that God uses to equip and "staff" the church. Would God go to all this trouble and yet not provide funding?
NO!
More to come...
The first reason given these days is that the church is NOT required in the New Testament to receive such. The rationale behind such a statement comes from those within the New Covenant Theology spectrum that love to highlight the breakdown of the tithes instructed by God that Israel was to bring to the Temple. Since the Temple is not part of the New Testament, then, in their reasoning, the church should not be recipients of tithing.
Lost in the discussion of this type of teaching is the fact that the Bible clearly shows that the New Testament endorses churches as God's ordained entities for the work of the ministry. Key in this discussion is the threat of the idea that there is a Universal church instead of a Universal Body. If such existed as taught then one could argue that instead of setting aside monies for a person's home church, one could make the decision that something else is more deserving and thus give to that need instead of to one's church. It sounds wonderful to many; especially those who see abuses of wasted money by a few churches that lack accountability and missiological purpose. But there is a danger here that cannot be ignored.
When we move from an understanding that God established and ordained churches for His work we move from His plan. We weaken churches. We weaken Missions around the world. We move to a system of thought that says I can hear from God and do as He tells me and my church may not be in the equation. A great question to ask at this point which few address is actually a simple one:
Would God ordain churches and NOT provide for their funding in scripture?
Any attempt to leave out the first priority of one's church is extremely poor Biblical Theology. Leaving out the local church is like saying to your heart, I don't like the maintenance required so I am going to take you out. The body could not live long at all right? God gave us the New Testament church. We have corrupted her greatly in America but God still has not given us an alternative. In fact He did not give us a choice. Ephesians is clear that God provides every gift for the church for the purpose of her caring out the mission - the Great Commission! It is the church that is to hold us accountable as individuals. It is the church that is to provide for the teaching and discipleship of the people that are reached with the Gospel. The gifts given were given to local churches to honor God in doing the work of God. Each one of us according to Ephesians are part of the body that God uses to equip and "staff" the church. Would God go to all this trouble and yet not provide funding?
NO!
More to come...
Monday, February 8, 2010
When a standard is lost
Common definitions of the word STANDARD are such as:
a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated; "the schools comply with federal standards"; "they set the measure for all subsequent work"
criterion: the ideal in terms of which something can be judged; "they live by the standards of their community".
When we look at the issue of tithing it is important to remember this word. In the discussions that have made their way into the blog world of late we are learning that people who set out to prove a position to justify their behavior will often forget about this word STANDARD.
How is this important?
When a person looks in the Word of God a clear standard is seen concerning the tithe. Though some are trying to ignore this standard, it is there. Those who claim to hold to the New Covenant Theological position completely ignore that the Old Testament and the Law have been given to us for this very reason.
We are free from the Law. Christ did what we could not. Yet NC people forget that the Law was God's STANDARD! Christ's payment for our sins does not change this standard. We do not live in a life that is forced to do anything. But in my love for God and my desire to grow in love to Him more each day, I then must see what pleases Him.
Think of it this way. In April of this year I will have been married to Heidi for 19 years. I always try to do something special for her on our Anniversaries. There are things that I think will be pleasing to her but they are my ideas. There are places that I would love to go but those are my desires. If I am to show her my love for her, then I must learn what she likes. I seek to please her for I love her. When I give her a gift, I work hard at giving her something that she likes NOT giving her something that I think she would like.
The same is true with God. If we take the approach that a few are taking and say "I am free to give to whatever and God is fine with that..." we are missing the key point in LOVING HIM. One blogger wrote something like this; "I do not know what I give but I am sure it is less than 2%."
When I read the love letter that God has provided for us, I find that a standard is there. It is NOT an end point. The standard is the beginning. Out of love for God I desire to love Him in a manner that He deserves. How could giving less than the clear standard meet that which He deserves? How could I NOT know what I give to Him?
My love moves me to ask a different question - why in the world would I want to hold on to something when He has simply made me a Steward. It is all His. Grace indeed raised the standard. When we lose the standard, we lose much. We cheapen GRACE. We excuse our selfishness. We find justification for doing things like drinking alcohol, that violates God's standard. A loss of the standard actually brings into focus that maybe our love is NOT what He deserves. When I give more than the standard, I am NOT trying to buy my way to God nor am I living under the law. God forbid. I am though living the reality of my love for the one who saved me. I have clearly seen His standard and I then know where to start. But as I grow, my giving will and should grow.
When we lose a standard we lose MUCH!
a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated; "the schools comply with federal standards"; "they set the measure for all subsequent work"
criterion: the ideal in terms of which something can be judged; "they live by the standards of their community".
When we look at the issue of tithing it is important to remember this word. In the discussions that have made their way into the blog world of late we are learning that people who set out to prove a position to justify their behavior will often forget about this word STANDARD.
How is this important?
When a person looks in the Word of God a clear standard is seen concerning the tithe. Though some are trying to ignore this standard, it is there. Those who claim to hold to the New Covenant Theological position completely ignore that the Old Testament and the Law have been given to us for this very reason.
We are free from the Law. Christ did what we could not. Yet NC people forget that the Law was God's STANDARD! Christ's payment for our sins does not change this standard. We do not live in a life that is forced to do anything. But in my love for God and my desire to grow in love to Him more each day, I then must see what pleases Him.
Think of it this way. In April of this year I will have been married to Heidi for 19 years. I always try to do something special for her on our Anniversaries. There are things that I think will be pleasing to her but they are my ideas. There are places that I would love to go but those are my desires. If I am to show her my love for her, then I must learn what she likes. I seek to please her for I love her. When I give her a gift, I work hard at giving her something that she likes NOT giving her something that I think she would like.
The same is true with God. If we take the approach that a few are taking and say "I am free to give to whatever and God is fine with that..." we are missing the key point in LOVING HIM. One blogger wrote something like this; "I do not know what I give but I am sure it is less than 2%."
When I read the love letter that God has provided for us, I find that a standard is there. It is NOT an end point. The standard is the beginning. Out of love for God I desire to love Him in a manner that He deserves. How could giving less than the clear standard meet that which He deserves? How could I NOT know what I give to Him?
My love moves me to ask a different question - why in the world would I want to hold on to something when He has simply made me a Steward. It is all His. Grace indeed raised the standard. When we lose the standard, we lose much. We cheapen GRACE. We excuse our selfishness. We find justification for doing things like drinking alcohol, that violates God's standard. A loss of the standard actually brings into focus that maybe our love is NOT what He deserves. When I give more than the standard, I am NOT trying to buy my way to God nor am I living under the law. God forbid. I am though living the reality of my love for the one who saved me. I have clearly seen His standard and I then know where to start. But as I grow, my giving will and should grow.
When we lose a standard we lose MUCH!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
More on Tithing
Clearly when one looks to the Bible the picture of giving a tenth is found pre-law, during the period of the Law, and then one discovers something changes in the New Testament. It is at this point that some will argue that the above statement proves our disregarding the tithe in the New Testament under the New Cov. I disagree with those who would say this and in fact I think that what they miss is vital to more than this discussion of the tithe.
GRACE is the incredible reality that God did for us, who did not deserve it, what we could not do nor could the Law do - GRACE allowed me and everyone reading this post to have the opportunity of Salvation through the person of Jesus Christ due to His death, burial, and resurrection. Oh to GRACE how great a debtor I am! In fact, I love the words to the song sung by Travis Cottrell - Jesus Saves! I am listening to it right now as I post. It is this topic and more the reality of GRACE that opens the window into the plan of God. It is the picture that describes more vividly than anything else can just who God is and why He is so incredible!
When one reads the laws that were given to Israel, one needs to understand that those laws were in fact, by living up to them, the only way from a human situation, that a person could be accepted by God. The law shows each of us that we need a Saviour. For none of us can live up to and keep the law. Jesus Himself said that He came to "fulfill the law..." in Matt 5:17 and NOT to destroy it. He became the sacrifice and thus fulfilled the law for us. Not that we are under the law as we clearly in Galatians. We are free. Yet, the "being under..." is not the issue.
The law was clearly a picture for us of God's standard. In the tithe, regardless of the crops issue that some so want to claim, the law only continued what was already seen in pre-law days. In the New Testament, no mention is required to know that the standard had not changed and the picture is still present with one very important fact - GRACE raised the mark.
As we under GRACE are the recipients of such great love, the question must be asked pertaining to the tithe as to how or why or what then should we do? Clearly a person is free to NOT tithe. Clearly that person would NOT be destined for hell on the issue of the tithe. Clearly 10% is not a requirement. For under GRACE, all of our lives are called into the position and obedience of FULL surrender. If a person says "I tithe 10% and thus I am doing well." That person is abusing the principle of the tithe and the GRACE factor. Clearly the minimum from the beginning of scripture through the end is seen in the 10% example. But in Christ's surrender to the Will of God for us, the issue is no longer "a tenth" or "what is the minimum" but rather my WHOLE life, finances and all are to be yielded to Him. Colossians makes it clear that everything we do is to be done to His Glory.
So would we do less than the law asked for? Would we do less than what was done in pre-law times?
Absolutely NOT!
And this gets us to the issue of the church. And the fun will continue!
GRACE is the incredible reality that God did for us, who did not deserve it, what we could not do nor could the Law do - GRACE allowed me and everyone reading this post to have the opportunity of Salvation through the person of Jesus Christ due to His death, burial, and resurrection. Oh to GRACE how great a debtor I am! In fact, I love the words to the song sung by Travis Cottrell - Jesus Saves! I am listening to it right now as I post. It is this topic and more the reality of GRACE that opens the window into the plan of God. It is the picture that describes more vividly than anything else can just who God is and why He is so incredible!
When one reads the laws that were given to Israel, one needs to understand that those laws were in fact, by living up to them, the only way from a human situation, that a person could be accepted by God. The law shows each of us that we need a Saviour. For none of us can live up to and keep the law. Jesus Himself said that He came to "fulfill the law..." in Matt 5:17 and NOT to destroy it. He became the sacrifice and thus fulfilled the law for us. Not that we are under the law as we clearly in Galatians. We are free. Yet, the "being under..." is not the issue.
The law was clearly a picture for us of God's standard. In the tithe, regardless of the crops issue that some so want to claim, the law only continued what was already seen in pre-law days. In the New Testament, no mention is required to know that the standard had not changed and the picture is still present with one very important fact - GRACE raised the mark.
As we under GRACE are the recipients of such great love, the question must be asked pertaining to the tithe as to how or why or what then should we do? Clearly a person is free to NOT tithe. Clearly that person would NOT be destined for hell on the issue of the tithe. Clearly 10% is not a requirement. For under GRACE, all of our lives are called into the position and obedience of FULL surrender. If a person says "I tithe 10% and thus I am doing well." That person is abusing the principle of the tithe and the GRACE factor. Clearly the minimum from the beginning of scripture through the end is seen in the 10% example. But in Christ's surrender to the Will of God for us, the issue is no longer "a tenth" or "what is the minimum" but rather my WHOLE life, finances and all are to be yielded to Him. Colossians makes it clear that everything we do is to be done to His Glory.
So would we do less than the law asked for? Would we do less than what was done in pre-law times?
Absolutely NOT!
And this gets us to the issue of the church. And the fun will continue!
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Tithe, Law, New Testament, and Grace
Often people only view the law in Old Testament when trying to validate the tithe or invalidate it. It is clear that the Law teaches tithing for Israel. There is usually NO arguments or discussions about this fact save for the 3 tithe issue. The discussions get heated however when the topic of New Testament practice begin.
As we have previously noted, Jesus makes mention of the tithe in His conversation with the Pharisees. In a future post we will look at the teachings of the Apostle Paul and some key things that must be noted and applied when accurately developing a case for or against the tithe from his teachings and life.
What seldom is noted in current discussions is the fact that the tithe appears PRE - LAW in the Old Testament. Abraham and Jacob both voluntarily embraced the tithe (the giving of a tenth). It is in this study that we discover the Biblical Heart of the tithe. For the arguments against the tithe due to legalism, this study sheds light on the misuse of Legalism in the discussion and the truth that the Biblical Tithe has always been voluntarily done out of love for the Lord God.
The Law codified the tithe for the nation of Israel. The standard of the tenth was kept from pre - law to the law. If you will continue to trace the journey of the tithe, you will discover that unlike the FOOD issues, the tithe is never repealed. The tithe is embraced just as Abraham, Jacob, and the law embraced it. Jesus told the Pharisees that they should have given the tithe while also doing other things. Not once did he say "stop giving the tithe!" Why? What about GRACE?
I actually love the discussion of GRACE in light of the tithe. The norm and error by many as seen in our current culture inside the church, is to argue that we are under GRACE thus the tithe is no longer valid. The acceptance of less than 10% is thusly justified when one takes this appraoch. While another major error is made in the acceptance that 10% is enough. GRACE changes the discussion. Neither are accurate.
And we will continue here later in the week...
As we have previously noted, Jesus makes mention of the tithe in His conversation with the Pharisees. In a future post we will look at the teachings of the Apostle Paul and some key things that must be noted and applied when accurately developing a case for or against the tithe from his teachings and life.
What seldom is noted in current discussions is the fact that the tithe appears PRE - LAW in the Old Testament. Abraham and Jacob both voluntarily embraced the tithe (the giving of a tenth). It is in this study that we discover the Biblical Heart of the tithe. For the arguments against the tithe due to legalism, this study sheds light on the misuse of Legalism in the discussion and the truth that the Biblical Tithe has always been voluntarily done out of love for the Lord God.
The Law codified the tithe for the nation of Israel. The standard of the tenth was kept from pre - law to the law. If you will continue to trace the journey of the tithe, you will discover that unlike the FOOD issues, the tithe is never repealed. The tithe is embraced just as Abraham, Jacob, and the law embraced it. Jesus told the Pharisees that they should have given the tithe while also doing other things. Not once did he say "stop giving the tithe!" Why? What about GRACE?
I actually love the discussion of GRACE in light of the tithe. The norm and error by many as seen in our current culture inside the church, is to argue that we are under GRACE thus the tithe is no longer valid. The acceptance of less than 10% is thusly justified when one takes this appraoch. While another major error is made in the acceptance that 10% is enough. GRACE changes the discussion. Neither are accurate.
And we will continue here later in the week...
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