I’m one of those
Christians who believes Jesus literally when He says, “You did not chose
me, I have chosen you” in John 15. So I have had a great time watching the
series, The Chosen. And having belonged to several interdenominational
groups, I’ve always tried to steer some of my fellow evangelicals away from the
decision-based theologies, and salesmanship gospel-sharing. If faith springs from the Holy Spirit (and
scripture says it does!) and natural man has only the ability to say NO to God
until the Spirit enters him. Then what is sometimes called a decision of faith
is really just an affirmation of what’s already within. Same goes for those techniques of frightening
people into faith with threats of hell or being left behind if the rapture
comes. A hedge to get into heaven may be more of scheme than a faith.
I am on an initiative to do the
chosen message with church finance and stewardship.
For years I have gone to churches where pastors didn’t talk much about
money because of the backlash. A certain
number of people say, “I just hate it when the pastor talks about money!” And since pastoral training doesn’t have much
to do with finances, many pastors comply, talking about personal attitudes with
money perhaps only once annually—still too often in the eyes of the money-crabbers.
Thus the chore of talking finance falls to the treasurer of the congregation
who would often try to humor the people (“Well if giving doesn’t improve, we
will all have to start cutting wood this winter.”—to pay utilities even though
the furnace is natural gas) or getting tough (“We may have to shut the doors if
we don’t get enough.” “We may have to lay off staff and there won’t be any
raises.”) Amateurish and abusive talk leaves us poorly motivated.
I discovered the stunning outcome of
turning to God while almost going broke in business. As a friend of mine, also
a Christian businessman laughed, “One year I had a tithe of 88%. Didn’t mean it to be that way. Just had a horrid year.” Caught between a
hard place and a rock in business, you catch yourself praying, “I don’t know
how this is going to turn out, Lord. I
may go broke, but I want to pledge the first part of this to You.” Well, if you
go broke, He will lead you to another career or something because He is always
with you. Somewhere along the way, however, funds showed up in a totally
unexpected way. That caused you to lift
your eyes to Him in thanksgiving and awe, “You really are here, aren’t
you! I’m sorry that I forget You are
with me every nanosecond of every day.”
Talk to Him more. Listen to what His Word says.
Of course you don’t’ have to be a
business guy to learn this. Many have
their own personal stories. Look at almost any church’s contributors and you’ll
discover that old guys who have learned to walk close to God and tithe, giving
God their first fruits, are the significant supporters of the church. If then, the church wants to have funds to
delve into new ministries and discover where God’s Spirit is working, it needs
to work on faith. Faith=trust and a
close walk. That attitude of, I didn’t
chose Him, he chose me and calls me a son/daughter that He will never abandon
is not just a lesson in where to put your God-gifted money. It is the
incredible joy and peace of living for your Lord, Savior and best Friend. It isn’t just Heaven Insurance, it is a new
life. Deuteronomy says, “It is no trifle for you: it is your whole life.” The
non-believer has no assurance but dust and ashes in the end amid a universe
destined to die after several billion years.
The believer beginning now, has an eternal close relationship with the One
who created the universe. The
relationship is guaranteed not by your own vacillating self, but by Him. He came for you. Chosen.
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