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What Can You Afford?

February 13, 2013 by Fritz

widowsmiteLeaving for another day the topic of where, the question of how much to give God is a major struggle point.

Jesus had a simple solution. Seeing a poor widow put two small coins into the offering he said,

“All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford” – Luke 21:4 (Message)

How much do you think you can afford to give God? Then give a bit more.

Can you afford to give God five (5) percent of your income? Good, give him six (6).

It will seem like a stretch at first, it’s supposed to, but eventually with God’s blessing you’ll be able to afford it. That’s the time to give eight (8) or ten (10) percent. When that becomes easy give fifteen (15).

There are those who give most of their income to God and live very well off the rest because God blesses a cheerful giver. They don’t do it overnight, just one bit more at a time than they can afford.

fritz.

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Skill vs. Knowledge

February 9, 2013 by Fritz

workerKnowing how something is built is not the same as knowing how to build it.

Part owner of a construction company years ago, it was my job to know how walls, ceilings, and floors were constructed and to know when these were built according architectural specifications; but to actually do the building was totally different. Building skills are only learned by building.

Likewise, the Bible tells us how to be godly but learning how to do it comes from experience. As a young preacher I knew a lot about how following Christ was done but I am still learning how to do it.

Jesus said,

“Here’s what I propose: … If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously… love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer…If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? … You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it.” (Matthew 5:38-48 Message)

There are things we must learn how to do if we expect to be of service to Christ.

How are you going to learn how to “turn the other cheek” unless someone slaps you? How am I going to learn how to love my enemies unless I have enemies? How are you going to learn how to pray for those who spitefully use you unless you have a boss that throws you under the bus or co-workers that spread malicious gossip? How am I going to learn how to trust God to provide unless I sometimes lose my job or go through difficulty?

We say, “God why would you let me get slapped in the face?!”, when all God is doing is teaching how live for Christ instead of just knowing how living for Christ is done.

– fritz

Posted in Belief, Character, Choice, Christ, Committment, Compassion, Complaining, Confidence, Conflict | Tagged , | 4 Comments »

Relationships Heal

January 15, 2013 by Fritz

mendedheart

“Bury me with my fathers in the cave which is in the field of Ephron the Hittite. Abraham and his wife Sarah, Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried there; I also buried Leah there.” – Jacob (Genesis 49:29-31)

I always felt sorry for Leah — the wife not chosen, always losing in a rivalry with her sister over the affections of her husband.

Then there’s this verse.

The cave where Jacob wanted to be buried was significant because it was the first place in “promised land” his people actually owned — a stake in the ground, so to speak, of things to come. There the faithful were buried as a statement that they belonged and as a place of honor.

We notice it wasn’t Rachel but Leah so honored by Jacob. It points to a loving relationship prior to her passing. There, beside his first wife, Jacob chose to await the change.

Relationships heal and just because they go through rocky times, faith, forgiveness, perseverance make a difference.

– fritz

Posted in Change, Faith, Leah | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

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