My friends remodeled their kitchen, and it turned out beautiful. A few months later they went on a mission trip. When they returned, they couldn’t stop talking about what they saw, experienced, and how it changed their life. They told me that if they had gone on the mission trip before they remodeled their kitchen,Continue reading “How to focus on Jesus’ mission so we don’t have regrets – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 5”
Tag Archives: finances
The sickness of the human soul – Advent Hope, Part 1
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 30 years who now works in international fair trade. When I shared with my family that I was going to be preaching the first Sunday of Advent on the theme of hope, my youngest daughter, Margaret, said, “Oh, wow,Continue reading “The sickness of the human soul – Advent Hope, Part 1”
Is “He Gets Us” advertising worth the expense? – Q & A Week, Part 1
This week we take a break from our Relationships in the Church series. At Faith Church this past week I gave a Q & A sermon. I asked the congregation for questions ahead of time, and then I attempted to bring biblical theology to bear on their questions. Here goes… He Gets Us spent almost $15 millionContinue reading “Is “He Gets Us” advertising worth the expense? – Q & A Week, Part 1″
One man’s example of sacrificial generosity – Encourage one another, Part 2
One of the most famous encouragers in the Bible is Barnabas. But Barnabas is not his real name. Turn to Acts 4:36-37. In Acts 4:36, we learn that Barnabas’ actual name is Joseph, but he is called by the nickname “Barnabas” because he is known for being an encourager. “Barnabas” means “son of encouragement.” ThoughContinue reading “One man’s example of sacrificial generosity – Encourage one another, Part 2”
Why and How to be more Generous – John 11:46-12:11, Part 5
Does the Bible tell us the goal of generosity to the poor? It does. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul taught something that is not mentioned enough. One of the subplots of Paul’s missionary journeys is that he was asking the churches across the Roman Empire to give money to help the mother church in Jerusalem. Continue reading “Why and How to be more Generous – John 11:46-12:11, Part 5”
God doesn’t want you to tithe – Ezekiel 7, Part 5
We conclude this five-part series studying Ezekiel 7 with the final element of the antidote to economic idolatry, as taught by John Wesley: “Give all you can.” If you are earning, and if you saving, as we learned in the previous post, you will have the ability to give generously. Living simply and practicing generosityContinue reading “God doesn’t want you to tithe – Ezekiel 7, Part 5”
False Ideas Christians Believe About…Money
Today, as we continue our series on False Ideas that Christians believe, we are fact-checking statements about money and generosity. You can’t out-give God. Give and you will receive. It’s my money; I worked hard for it. Money is the root of all evil. Let’s start with… On the surface, this one is true. GodContinue reading “False Ideas Christians Believe About…Money”
Do you feel you’re being asked to give too much, too often?
How many of you are living paycheck to paycheck? What do I mean by “paycheck to paycheck”? What I mean is that you need that paycheck to keep coming in order to pay your bills. If you don’t get that paycheck, you won’t be able to pay bills, buy groceries, etc. Does that describe yourContinue reading “Do you feel you’re being asked to give too much, too often?”
Engaging Scripture 