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CloseRyan Sim - November 28, 2013
Thursday - Act On It - Generosity in Resources
This week we’re learning that our money, our time and our natural skills are resources to be used in ways that will allow God’s purposes to be realized. Amazingly we are given total freedom in this. There are no set rules or specific suggestions, only the objective. The challenge is to use our imagination and our creativity in thinking out how we will apply our money, for example, to this purpose. As we learn more about God our awareness of the opportunities to use our money in this way will increase….charities, individuals, families and church ministries will all show us ways we can make a difference. I have seen three steps many Christians move through as they grow in generosity. It begins with casual giving. This happens at the checkout counter in a store when they ask if you’d like to give a dollar to this fund or that. It also happens in a church service when a plate is passed, and you look to see what you can give today. But often we move from there to another type of giving: responsible giving. I know of one person who’d grown up going to church, but as an adult, was asked to join the advisory board. She accepted, and figured it would be a good idea to be at the annual meeting for the first time in her life, since she was on the board now. Well, the next day, she reported that it was a huge eye-opener. As she saw the budget, she looked at her own givings, and explaimed, “I just realized I’m the biggest cheapskate here!” She had just become a “responsible giver”…someone who looks at the budget, and says I’ll do my part of the good work that’s happening here. Looks at world, says I should help. Finally, many Christians move from responsible giving to proportional giving. This is where we don’t just do our part, but instead we looked at our budget, figured out a percentage we would give every month, signed up for pre-authorized giving, and stuck to it. We have plans for our money…work on the house, new roof, etc. but we’ll have to save up for it, because we make sure our tithe comes out first. What percent? There are several places in the Bible that talk about tithing—which literally means giving 10% to God’s work. It’s something from the Old Testament, when God’s people, the Israelites, were to give 10% of everything to God – crops, animals, everything. Is that the rule or percent? But we have to remember how Jesus treats many Old Testament laws – he steps them up and makes them more challenging to our hearts. He says his disciples’ “Righteousness is to exceed that of scribes & pharisees. – Matt 5:20 For example: The Pharisees and scribes avoided murder (one of the 10 commandments)…so Jesus wants his followers to not only never murder, but to also avoid anger. He shifts them from doing the bare minimum, to an actual change of attitude. In the same way, if the Pharisees give 10% because they have to, what do we give if Jesus always calls us to have a change of attitude? It’s to give, not until it hurts, but until it feels good again…until our attitude has changed from one of giving what we have to, to one of giving generously, because we love to give. How do you choose your level of giving? Only you can decide, but identify where you are today, and challenge yourself to the next level…today, not tomorrow. Jesus always said those who were faithful with a little, are the ones he trusts to be faithful with a lot, so start where you are, no matter your income, no matter how little it may seem, because if you give generously out of love, it’s important to God. Just to be clear – I’m not just saying this to boost Redeem the Commute's income! I am encouraging you to give generously to God’s work – whoever, wherever, however it is done. So long as it is work consistent with God’s plans for this world – so long as it is kingdom work. Giving to Redeem the Commute, helping us become a new kind of church is a great way to do that. We need your financial help to keep helping marriages and families, and developing a community that can do that for the long term. You can give at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/donate/ But God’s work is much bigger than any one ministry! Please give to a variety of ministries. Perhaps you can find balance by giving to Redeem the Commute as your church, and a Christian relief charity like World Vision, and a medical charity that's consistent with God's kingdom plans to heal the sick and hurting. And of course you want to be ready to help people in your life in need when they ask. In the final analysis, stewardship is about the overflowing of a grateful heart in response to all that Jesus has done for us…..and so determine how much to give by determining what God has given and done for you. Then decide how you can say thanks. Remember that we were made to be givers, but we have been socialized by a world that has lost its direction into believing that we are supposed to be keepers. Challenge: Map out what you can give away every month, and the right blend for you. One suggestion is to set up a monthly gift to RTC at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/donate and a monthly gift to your other charities, and a savings account so you are saving for the future needs of your family and others you know who may need your generosity. Go to http://www.mygivingmoment.ca and register your moment there! Reminder: Earlier in this series, we saw the importance of reading the Bible together in sync, so our new daily bible readings start today in our mobile app and web site.
Related Topics: Generosity | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "Becoming Like Family"
This series looks at becoming “like family” with others learning to follow Jesus. We're exploring how the church is not a building, institution or event, but a community of people. It's important that explore what church means as we prepare to launch a new church in Ajax in 2014.
More Messages From Ryan Sim...
Thursday - Act On It - Becoming Like Family | October 24, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Becoming Like Family | October 23, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Becoming Like Family | October 22, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Becoming Like Family | October 21, 2013 | Interviews | Watch | Listen | |
Friday - Reflect - Friends to Family | October 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Friends to Family | October 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Friends To Family | October 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Friends To Family | October 15, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Friends To Family | October 14, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Partners to Friends | October 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Partners To Friends | October 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Partners To Friends | October 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Partners To Friends | October 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Partners To Friends | October 7, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Acquaintances to Partners | October 4, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Acquaintances to Partners | October 3, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Acquaintances to Partners | October 2, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Acquaintances to Partners | October 1, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Acquaintances to Partners | September 30, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 27, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 26, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 25, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 24, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Neighbours to Acquaintances | September 23, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Strangers to Neighbours | September 20, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Strangers to Neighbours | September 19, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Strangers to Neighbours | September 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Strangers to Neighbours | September 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Strangers to Neighbours | September 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Neighbours Matter | September 13, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Neighbours Matter | September 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Neighbours Matter | September 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Neighbours Matter | September 10, 2013 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
Monday - A New Idea - Neighbours Matter | September 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Originality | July 19, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Originality | July 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Originality | July 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Originality | July 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Originality | July 15, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Foundations | July 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Foundations | July 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Foundations | July 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Foundations | July 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Foundations | July 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Knowing | July 5, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Knowing | July 4, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Knowing | July 3, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Knowing | July 2, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Knowing | July 1, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Influences | June 28, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Influences | June 27, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Influences | June 26, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Influences | June 25, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Influences | June 24, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Golden Rule | June 21, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - The Golden Rule | June 20, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - The Golden Rule | June 19, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - The Golden Rule | June 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - The Golden Rule | June 17, 2013 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
Friday - Reflect - Needs | June 14, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Needs | June 13, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Needs | June 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Needs | June 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Needs | June 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Judgement | June 7, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Judgement | June 6, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Judgement | June 5, 2013 | Short Film | Watch | Listen | |
Tuesday - Study It - Judgement | June 4, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Judgement | June 3, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Worry | May 31, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Worry | May 30, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Worry | May 29, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Worry | May 28, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Worry | May 27, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Priorities | May 24, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday- Act On It - Priorities | May 23, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Priorities | May 22, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Priorities | May 21, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Priorities | May 20, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Forgiveness | May 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Forgiveness | May 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Forgiveness | May 15, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Forgiveness | May 14, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Forgiveness | May 13, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Self Denial | May 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Self Denial | May 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Self Denial | May 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Self Denial | May 7, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Self Denial | May 6, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pompous Prayer | May 3, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pompous Prayer | May 2, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pompous Prayer | May 1, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pompous Prayer | April 30, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pompous Prayer | April 29, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Generosity | April 26, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Generosity | April 25, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Generosity | April 23, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Generosity | April 22, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Perfection | April 19, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Perfection | April 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change - Perfection | April 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Perfection | April 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Perfection | April 15, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Neighbours | April 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Neighbours | April 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change - Neighbours | April 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Neighbours | April 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Neighbours | April 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Retaliation | March 15, 2013 | Listen | |||
Thursday - Act On It - Retaliation | March 14, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Retaliation | March 13, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Retaliation | March 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Retaliation | March 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Truth | March 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Truth | March 7, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Truth | March 6, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Truth | March 5, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Truth | March 4, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - The Look | March 1, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - The Look | February 28, 2013 | Watch | Listen |