Handling Holy of God’s Kingdom

This past Monday’s stock markets plummeted causing comments in papers of global economic crash and crisis. This plunge provokes fears of recession. This bad “R” word is now openly used by economists. How are we to react in view of possible economic hardships? Looking at the giving trends of our churches – tithe continue to increase, God continues to bless people, and often in times of crisis people turn to God even more, realizing that we cannot afford not to return what is already His, for then we would not be just robbing God, but robbing ourselves.

As I think about the Tithe I wonder if people truly understand its meaning. Does God need our money? Church members are often concerned what happens to their tithe. What happened to offerings brought to the temple in ancient Israel? They were burned up in most cases. Did people see it as a waste; after all it could’ve been eaten, or sold back in the temple market? What if your deacons would collect the tithe, and then ceremonially set it on fire? Would you get upset? The tithe is holy unto the Lord, meaning it is separated for Lord’s use. (Leviticus 27:30-33) It is simply a token of our trust, minimum test of our faith commitment. Think of this: the moment you set one tenth of your income apart into an envelope in a form of cheque, or cash, designate it as tithe and seal it – it becomes holy! You actually handle the Holy as you bring it and place as an offering of trust.

Recent research of church members shows that those in financial troubles, debt, bankruptcies did not handle holy, did not return tithe, they thought they could not afford to tithe. They did not understand that none can afford not to tithe, and be on your own without God blessings. Reality is that only 35% of church members are faithful in tithe. The comment made by one of our pioneers over a century ago is still valid today: “If all the tithes of our people flowed into the treasury of the Lord as they should, such blessings would be received that gifts and offerings for sacred purposes would be multiplied tenfold, and thus the channel between God and man would be kept open.” (E.G.White “Testimonies” Vol.4 p.474) Think of the possibilities that we are missing!!! Some people are audacious enough to decide themselves how their tithe should be used – diverting it into local church budget, or their pet projects, playing gods and deciding the use of the holy…

While tithe is increasing – the local Budget giving and special projects offering has plunged. People are more cautious about giving in uncertain times. Analyzing giving trends in our congregations for the past three years it is evident that if we would be faithful in tithe and offerings we would afford 3 pastors to do the soul winning in our city, and have 10 times more money for the local ministries. Our church families in London (both churches) handle every year over 5 million dollars in personal income combined. Less that $400,000 are dedicated to the Kingdom of God and its growth. We brought nothing into this world d, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1^st Timothy 6:7) Hence we better consider on sending what we have on ahead. Jesus taught an interesting principle about giving: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth….but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20) I’ve highlighted the “for yourselves” on purpose – giving what you have to God’s cause is not giving it to God at all – it is storing for yourselves!!! Think about it – for myself, for yourself, for our own benefit in eternity. God is Possessor of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:19). When we assume that we are giving something to him we are belittling God. We are invited to manage what is given for our temporary use to benefit ourselves in eternity – do not waste this opportunity, it’s better than doubling stocks.

Stewardship of God’s Kingdom

I find it inspiring to see how God orchestrates the life of the Church, how without human interaction themes of Sabbath School, preaching emphasis and other events just “coincide.” The Sabbath School quarterly is focusing us on Discipleship, and the Elders Board agreed to preach the Kingdom of God for the first half of the year. These two themes are more than interconnected – they are about the same thing: discipleship is the radical call to leave the kingdom of this world and come under the Rule and Reign of God.

Today more and more denominations are speaking of the “crisis in Christianity” where churches are struggling to reach their financial goals and fund their visions. This is not a struggle of stewardship – it is a discipleship crisis. What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus in the 21^st century? Isn’t discipleship a call to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God?

Somehow last few generations defined disciples as those who do not mind taking up their cross, so long as it is not too heavy, fits into their schedule and does not conflict with their lifestyle. Preaching a bloodless cross has robbed Christianity of its power and has turned the biblical teaching of stewardship into a task most preachers would rather avoid.

Dallas Willard paraphrases Mark 1:14-15 this way “Jesus then came into Galilee announcing the good news from God. "All the preliminaries have been taken care of,’ he said, ‘and the rule of God is now accessible to everyone. Review your plans for living and base your life on this remarkable new opportunity.’

The Kingdom of God requires to repent – to change one’s mind and purpose, to turn around from the way you lived. You can enter into the Kingdom of God only if you are willing to let go of the “apparent” control you have over your own life. Jesus preached about the Kingdom by using parables, and one term that was frequently used to illustrate the new economy of the Kingdom was “manager” (Greek: oikonomos “house rule, law of the dwelling place”). Typical use of that word in the time of Jesus was to describe a person who was responsible for property that wasn’t his, and was accountable for what he did with it. The concept of stewardship is build on the promise that the real owner will return one day – the expectation of Christ soon coming, and all in His Kingdom will give an answer how they managed what was entrusted to them.

Our stewardship consists in more than just material things. In 1^st Corinthians 4:1, Paul says Christian workers are stewards of “the mysteries of God,” referring to the gospel, the mystery of “the manifold wisdom of God,” which the church has been entrusted to make known (Ephesians 3:9,10). Related to this is his use of the word “stewardship” to describe preaching of the gospel (1^st Corinthians 9:16-17).

In Titus 1:7, while listing the qualifications for elders, Paul describes the overseer as God’s “steward.” Church leaders who are entrusted with God’s church are accountable to God for their oversight. Finally, 1^st Peter 4:10 says, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God,” going on to list speaking and serving gifts as the domain of our stewardship. The gospel, our churches, the gifts of the Holy Spirit – none of these wonderful blessings belongs to us. We are just recipients of the good things of God. Therefore, we are responsible for their use on this earth, and we will ultimately be held accountable for our faithfulness with them (Matthew 16:27; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Consider how you are stewarding God’s grace in your life.

Prayer for a real Party in Heaven

For the past 10 days Adventists around the world prayed for the inactive church members, and former believers. Today we begin 110 days of reaching out those in our community who have lost touch. As brother Renford Cole led the Prayer devotional last Wednesday night at the North Church he red from Luke 15 three stories about reasons for partying in heaven.

First there is a Shepherd who goes to look for one lost sheep. Verse 7 concludes that heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away! Then there is a woman who uses light to find a coin lost in the house. Verse 10 suggests that there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents. Then the story of a prodigal son, with Father welcoming his return with music and dance celebration (verse 25).

There are three types of lost people: those who need to be found, who on their own cannot find their way back and need a shepherd to help them, those who are lost “in the house,” who fall through the cracks, who are still among the family of faith but are lost inside – they need the light of the Holy Spirit shone in their soul and mind; and there are many who chose to be lost and are capable of choosing to come back, sometimes it takes to hit the rock bottom before they repent. The Trinity story of Shepherd Christ, Light of the Holy Spirit, and Love of the Father shows how broad God’s acceptance is, shows that God uses all means to save those that are lost.

Those who never strayed away and stayed faithful need to join God in his joy for every one who repents, for every one who finds his/her way back. How conscious are we of people around us who are lost and need a guide, who are in a need of teaching and mentoring to bring them back into the fold? How conscious are we of people who are still among us but their spiritual zeal has disappeared? Do we see people in our churches who need the Experience of the Holy Spirit? What about those who come back on their own? How do we treat those who are returning to faith?

You know many who had been at one time members of our church family, you know the youth who are living in London and chose not to come to the church, spending the inheritance of values that their parents placed in their early years, you know people who are coming from Sabbath to Sabbath but are in need of growth, in need of spiritual enlightening – pray for them, call them up, visit them, let them know that we care, individually.

This type of prayer and ministry will result in causing party in heaven, for every renewed person. Think of it this way: you seeking the lost is building God’s Kingdom and throwing celebration party for whole heaven! How about that as a reason for Prayer meetings?

Into the New Year with Prayer

What a marvellous time we had meeting the New Year in Prayer! We stood united, holding hands, praying for a blessing. The time of testimonies and prayer, reviewing the year past, giving thanks to God for his protection and leading – what a way to enter into the New Year.

Some mentioned that the midnight Jan 1^st is just a symbolic marker of time, and it is God’s presence in every moment of our life that is of eternal significance. Very true. Jewish people considered New Year beginning after the Day of Judgment, that vindicated every person and cleaned their record to start afresh. The festivity of the Yom Kippur ushered the new year. People label time, mark time, waste time, and use time. Different cultures meet the New Year at different times; some meet it 8 times in one year (India). In any case, we like the new beginnings, and as the nature goes through cycles so we pause to review where we’ve been and where we are going.

As I opened the London Free Press on the first day of the New Year I saw the local columnist, Ian Gillespie, call the coming year 2008 “the year of the confused.” Sure when we wake up to learn that we are 18^th of 27 large Canadian cities in overall rating, considering lacking doctors and bad air quality, plus being the 82^nd in the country by the traffic management, it’s confusing. But that’s not how I see my time in 2008.

Last year a grass-roots initiative spread like a fire through the world. Operation Global Rain – people praying for the outpouring of the latter rain. This year this initiative grew into Global Rain 360^o starting January 2^nd with 10 days prayer for the former and inactive church members. Hundreds of congregations in around the world are praying until January 11^th interceding for the Holy Spirit to reach those who once were with us.

Then for next 110 days congregations are to go and visit, call, meet and remind those who left that we do care, remember and wait. One of my wishes for the New Year is that no one would be shaken out from among us (Hebrews 12:26-28).

Then May 1-10 another ten days of Prayer will be focused on our church members becoming soul-winners, followed by 110 days of practicing intentional soul winning, culminating in another 10 days of prayer - August 28^th to September 6^th. This time prayer focused upon non-Adventists, followed by 110 days of united and focused outreach.

We live in the city that needs Jesus, where 85% of people – your neighbours never darken the door of a church. Who’s going to take the gospel to them? If we are not ready – let’s pray for readiness.