I recently heard of two surveys that were conducted here in the United States.  The first survey concluded that less than 3% of Christian Americans actually tithe.  The second survey revealed that of Christians in America surveyed 33% stated that they did tithe.

 

Whether or not you agree with the tithe I found it interesting that there could be a 30% difference in these survey numbers.   The best possible explanation would be that 1/3 of Christians in America have determined their own definition of tithing and are living according to that.  The worst possible explanation is that approximately 1/3 of American Christians are liars.

 

Whatever the case may be, it caused me to think of Proverbs 12:22, which in the English Standard Version says, “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”  The New Living Translation says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.”

 

Stewardship!  It’s as much about managing what comes out of my mouth as it is about what comes out of my wallet.

So often discussions of stewardship revolve around the ‘what’ of stewardship.  What are we supposed to do to be a good steward?  Of course this is important.  However, this dialogue cannot effectively take place without the recognition of our ’state of being’.  We are stewards.  Christian or not (and like it or not) we are all stewards. We manage for Someone else? That Someone, of course, is God.  And the very God that created this world and created us gave us the privilege…the role… of being his stewards. It strikes me that if we can grab just a fraction of this Truth of our being, our stewardship (the doing) will naturally flow out of a transformed life in gratitude.  

God has given us two hands, one to  receive with and one to give with.  Billy Graham 

Admittedly Henry Ford, the man commonly credited with both the invention of the mass produced car as well as honing assembly line production, is not well-known for his theology.  But the quote below is worth some contemplation:

 

“I believe we should all be producers. Organized charity and schools of philanthropy and the whole idea of “giving” to the poor are on the wrong track. They don’t produce anything. If a railroad had a bad piece of track that wrecked cars every day and piled them in the ditch it would cure nothing to merely build a fine repair shop. The track itself should be fixed. Charity and philanthropy are the repair shops and the efficiency, however high, does not remove the cause of the human wrecks.”

I recognize that this is a very utilitarian view of man.  However, does this also, in part, reflect Biblical values?

  

 

So my wife and I go to this Chinese restaurant for our annual Christmas dinner with friends (and without kids).  As we are preparing to leave, the wait staff, who had been so attentive to us throughout dinner bids us farewell, by exclaiming ‘Happy Holidays?’ I don’t know about you but my gut reaction to such a generic greeting I am sure does not attain the intended purpose of the ‘cheer giver’.  I think I must actually see such neutering of the Christmas season as an affront to my Christianity… almost as if some sort of crime had been committed against me.  And then, in that moment, the Holy Spirit prompted me to realize that the ‘crime’ that had been committed was not the omission of Christ from this gal’s parting comments to me.  The travesty was likely the omission of Christ from her life–not just her comment.  In other words, perhaps my first reaction should not be, how does it make me feel when someone fails to include Christ in their salutation during the Christmas holidays! Rather, what does this mean for their soul… for their salvation.This Christmas season we are reminded that God gave His Son. We, as Christians, have also been given the profound responsibility and privilege of carrying His message to a lost world. If Christ has been left out of the holiday pomp and ceremony that we see going on around us… what can we do to re-introduce Christ to those who desperately need him? 

O.k. it’s confession time.

 

When it comes to generosity, I am very comfortable with my status quo giving patterns.  I don’t have to think about it.  On the other hand, giving more than I am giving now, well very frankly, that thought makes me uncomfortable.  

 

I suspect I am not alone in this.  

Have you ever noticed, that some other time would be a good time to give more?   Perhaps when I ‘get that check’, or ‘get that raise’, or when ‘life is not so crazy and I can think through what more I can afford to give’?  There always seems to be a better time to consider giving more and it always seems to be sometime in the future and… and it often ‘requires’ a change of circumstance.   

The Bible tells me that it is better to give than to receive.  Certainly true.  I have no problem with that.  But I don’t necessarily want to receive anything more.  I simply want to keep what I have.

And so begins the conundrum.  I want to become more generous.  But changing my giving patterns (i.e. giving more) causes discomfort and, generally speaking, I try to avoid discomfort because when I do I feel, well, more comfortable.  

 

Perhaps it would behoove me to remember this thought when faced with the opportunity (and discomfort) of giving more…

Examples are few of men ruined by giving.

Christian Bovée

It’s worth pondering.

 

In the midst of the Industrial Revolution economist Jeremy Bentham felt the need for a measurement of the happiness an action created – he termed this “utility”.  His basic premiss was that individual economic action had a consequence to everyone.  He further felt that the individual would not always do what was in the best interest of the group…

  “[i]n every human breast…self-regarding interest is predominant over social interest; each person’s own individual interest over the interests of all other persons taken together.” Jeremy Bentham, The Book of Fallacies (London: Hunt, 1824, pp. 392-3)      

 Go back further in history to the New Testament…John dealing with the early problems in the Church….

 “Practically everything that goes on in the world – wanting our own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important – has nothing to do with the Father.  It just isolates you from Him.  The world and all its wanting, wanting , wanting is on the way out – but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.” 

            1 John 2:15-15, The Message

Today we have globalization and the internet explosion.  Yet the inner struggles of mankind have changed very little since the industrial revolution or even the beginning of the Church.  If we want true change…. true progress we must address the issues on the inside for them to be revealed on the outside.  We must focus on the eternal.  This is where stewardship is to be considered.  

Comment on this….

How does the act of giving have a positive impact (utility) on society… the church… your ministry? How so?

Eric

Greetings from International Steward:

I invite you to dream with me for a few moments …

What do you think might happen to the economy of your nation … if just the evangelical Christians excelled in the grace of giving?

• Might hunger be eradicated?
• Might poverty be eliminated?
• Might the economy of your nation become vibrant and viable?
• Might your nation become strong … contributing to the prosperity of all people around the world?

Is this far-fetched? Wishful thinking? Or just the musings of an old man?

Before you pass judgement … think about this: Recent studies (see: http://www.iviews.com/Articles/articles.asp?ref=Po0711-3436) show a significant link between the giving of our money and time and the economic strength of a nation. Researchers have discovered that …more giving doesn’t just correlate with higher income; it causes higher income. And not just a little.

What an amazing discovery! How is this possible? Is this just a statistical anomaly – or is there a metaphyscial … that is, biblical … explanation for giving and economic viability?

I want to suggest that there is a remarkable, value-added aspect to your leadership role in teaching people how to excel in the grace of giving. Yes … you are helping your brothers and sisters in attaining the fullness of the image of Christ; yes … you are identifying financial resources for your ministry; yes … you are combating hunger, poverty, and disease from your homeland; yes … men and women and boys and girls are coming to Christ! 

BUT … you are also changing the entire economic landscape of your country … perhaps the world!

Is this possible? Or are advancing years distorting my understanding about all this?

What do you think? Let me hear your thoughts about this.

Richard 

Greetings! I’m glad you accepted our email invitation to visit the International Steward Blog!

This Blog, as you will recall, is an idea that you generated at the conclusion of the Symposium. What a great idea! Thank you! Now, let’s work together to make this Blog an effective tool instrumental in discipling others toward generosity.

The International Steward Blogis for you … a key leader in building a culture of giving around the world. On this Blog we will share information, discuss issues, solve problems, and continue to build our fellowship in Christ.

BUT… a healthy Blog depends on your regular participation … not only reading … but posting your thoughts and ideas and interacting with stewardship leaders around the world.

At first, the International Steward Blog is limited to those who attended the Symposium. In the near future, we envision hundreds – perhaps thousands – of people interacting with each other on a daily basis as we work to build the kingdom of God by encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ to “…excel in the grace of giving.” (II Corinthians 8:7)

So – why not begin right now! Post your first reply. What are your thoughts? As the weeks go by, we will all become veteran bloggers.

Peace and joy as you excel in the grace of giving!

Richard

Today marks an historic event. Yes it’s true – International Steward now has its own blog site. How terribly exciting for all of us.

Learnin’ to blog… =:oO