INSPIRED GIVING - Herschel H. Hobbs

This is a story that is one of Herschel Hobbs favorite illustrations.  I hope you enjoy it!

A pastor wrote the president of a seminary to inform him about a man in his church who was capable of giving the school $50,000. The president invited the man to visit the campus. After showing his guest around the campus, relating what the seminary was doing, and feeding him a sumptuous meal, the president took the man to his office to attempt to sell the man on the idea of giving a donation.



On the way they met a professor of preaching who was a personal friend of the potential donor. After a brief chat the man asked the professor what he would do if he was able to make a gift to the seminary. The professor said he would give $500,000 to endow a chair of preaching.


The president cringed, fearing the professor had ruined everything he had been trying to do. He was right! The man did not donate $50,000. Instead, he gave the seminary $500,000. He had been inspired to give.

• Q: Have you ever been inspired to give like that? 

Maybe not that amount, but inspired nonetheless!  Friend, be inspired to give back to God from all that God has given you!  Start with your local church first, then as God enables, support other Biblical, evangelical ministries!  Not just money, but give of your time too!

That's all for now, but check back for more REDD-INK!

Lead Others In Worship Through Giving - 1Chronicles 29:1-6

According to this passage, the Chronicler explains how David exhorted the assembly to follow his example of stewardship.  Verse 6 states plainly that the leaders of the tribes of Israel followed David's inspiring leadership.  Verse 9 relates that the people rejoiced when they saw their leaders give willingly and liberally. 

So, how is the giving going in your church?  Has the 'economy' impacted your personal ability to give?  I pray that God will miraculously bless us with jobs, crops, etc. in order that we might have the joy of leading others in worship through giving back to Him!  David led Israel in worship, praising God for His greatness and acknowledging that the gifts came from the Lord Himself.

We don't know what others give, but just seeing folks put something in the offering plate encourages me to worship in like fashion.  (They usually have a smile on their faces too!)  :)

That's all for now, but visit again soon for more REDD-INK!
 

Giving Enriches Us - 2Corinthians 9:10-11

  
The American Dream may involve a number of accomplishments, but there is one that usually makes everyone's list:  "To become really rich."  Do you want to be really rich?  I'm talking about 'rich' in the fullest sense of the word!  If so, then you should start giving!  What?  You may think that's not logical, or a paradox at the least.  According to our passage, the Bible says to be truly rich you must be a giver, sharing joyously what God has given you.  (vs. 11) "You are enriched in every way for all generosity."  Smart farmers would not sell all of their harvest.  They would set back a portion of their crop as seed for the next season thus helping to enrich their household for the future.

When you give more, you create the possibility of gaining more.  What are these 'gains'?  Here are few for your consideration:  more personal satisfaction / knowing that for once you thought about somebody else's needs and not just your own / a greater sense of fulfillment / a deeper sense of belonging in the body of Christ.

• How does your life change when you give to the needs of other Christians at your church?

• What are some 'non-financial' ways you can give to the needs of other Christians?

That's all for now check back soon for more Redd Ink.  <)))><

Hazardous Giving! - (2 Corinthians 9:7b)

Do you write your tithe & offering check at the same time you pay you bills?  If so, that could be hazardous to your giving!  I don't know anyone that cheerfully pays bills.  I think many of us make out our tithe & offering check at the same time we pay bills and never stop to get a Biblical perspective or allow time for our heart to change.

I had the great privilege of serving with Dr. Adrian Rogers at Bellevue Baptist Church for a number of years.  Known for so many wise quotes, one that fits today's BLOG is, "God loves a cheerful giver.  That which is not given joyfully, God neither wants nor needs."

God is pleased when we take pleasure in giving our money back to Him out of love and obedience.  When we bring 10% of our gross income back to the church as a tithe, with love for Him in our hearts, asking Him to bless and use the tithe for His Kingdom work through our local church, it BLESSES Him!  It makes sense, after all, that is the attitude God took when He gave us the greatest gift of all; Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for us all 'because of the joy that lay before Him'. (Hebrews 12:2)  Hmm, when you think about it, when we give to God with joy, we are being imitators of God.

• When is the best time for you to fill out your tithe & offering check to your church?

• What can you do each time you write that check to put a godly smile on your face?

That's all for now, check back soon for more REDD-INK!