When I think of Yeshua and leadership, I am more than a little mystified. By any standard, modern or historical, He was just awful.
For the first 30 years he was just a good, oldest son. No one knew of his remarkable qualities. It seems that the only thing on his resume was that he was well liked.
When he finally did get around to doing something, he went and hid in the desert for 40 days.
He gathered up the most common of men to hang out with. He was supported by a group of women.
His followers loved him and hated him, often within minutes of these two opposites.
He didn’t have anyone write anything down. His closest friends didn’t think to write anything about him for at least 20 years after he was gone.
He talked a lot about his relationship with his father.
They only thing that really seemed to matter to him was building friendships with some very unlikely men and women. Even then, his most ridiculous teaching came in the form of washing their feet.
Even today, people don’t put much thought into his model of building friendships.
When he died his closest friends abandoned him. He was such a poor leader that if he hadn’t risen from the dead those closest to him would simply have gone fishing for the rest of their lives.
People seem to really miss the point when they talk more about his miracles and teachings rather than the startling fact that his entire plan for mankind hinged on the friendships that he had developed over the course of three years.
Would you have entrusted the destiny of the world to the likes of a Thomas or a Peter or a Martha?
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Hebrew Yeshua vs Greek Jesus
Click on this link to watch a fantastic teaching video Hebrew Yeshua vs Greek Jesus
It takes about 2 hours and is time well invested if you enjoy studying the Bible.
An astonishing realization has recently gripped the Christian world: "Jesus Christ" was not a blond-haired, blue-eyed Gentile. Yeshua of Nazareth was raised in an observant Jewish family in a culture where the Torah (five books of Moses) was the National Constitution.
Yeshua's teachings, which supposedly form the basis for Western Christianity, are now filtered through 2000 years of traditions born in ignorance of the land, language, and culture of the Bible. The issues over which Yeshua wrestled with the Pharisees are simply not understood by modern Christians; nor are his most important instructions followed by those who claim to be his disciples.
Former Pharisee, Nehemia Gordon, a Dead Sea Scrolls scholar and Semitic language expert, explores the ancient Hebrew text of the Gospel of Matthew from manuscripts long hidden away in the archives of Jewish scribes. Gordon's research reveals that the more "modern" Greek text of Matthew, from which the Western world's versions were translated, depicts "another Jesus" from the Yeshua portrayed in the ancient Hebrew version of Matthew. Gordon explains the life-and-death conflict Yeshua had with the Pharisees as they schemed to grab the reins of Judaism in the first century, and brings that conflict into perspective for both Jew and Christian alike.
It takes about 2 hours and is time well invested if you enjoy studying the Bible.
An astonishing realization has recently gripped the Christian world: "Jesus Christ" was not a blond-haired, blue-eyed Gentile. Yeshua of Nazareth was raised in an observant Jewish family in a culture where the Torah (five books of Moses) was the National Constitution.
Yeshua's teachings, which supposedly form the basis for Western Christianity, are now filtered through 2000 years of traditions born in ignorance of the land, language, and culture of the Bible. The issues over which Yeshua wrestled with the Pharisees are simply not understood by modern Christians; nor are his most important instructions followed by those who claim to be his disciples.
Former Pharisee, Nehemia Gordon, a Dead Sea Scrolls scholar and Semitic language expert, explores the ancient Hebrew text of the Gospel of Matthew from manuscripts long hidden away in the archives of Jewish scribes. Gordon's research reveals that the more "modern" Greek text of Matthew, from which the Western world's versions were translated, depicts "another Jesus" from the Yeshua portrayed in the ancient Hebrew version of Matthew. Gordon explains the life-and-death conflict Yeshua had with the Pharisees as they schemed to grab the reins of Judaism in the first century, and brings that conflict into perspective for both Jew and Christian alike.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Kingdom Finances -- Equality and Freedom
Principle #1 EQUALITY
Jesus said,
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"
Luke 16:10-11
For many years I didn’t see what the Bible taught about money. I was caught in the mindset of working, paying my bills and tithing to my local church. I experienced both success and near bankruptcy during this time. If someone said do you serve money, I always answered no.
When I was working at General Motors as a toolmaker, I had a certain amount of financial success. I gave generously to my church but the scriptures that talked extensively of caring for the oppressed were in most part, ignored and not understood by me. It wasn't that they were difficult to understand but it was like there was a cloud over my thinking to really appreciate them.
I always had small misgivings about where my trust really was, God or GM, but I managed to push those insecurities into the background. I wasn't even aware of Paul's words to the Thessalonians. "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." 1 Thess. 4:11,12
I even proved that I wasn’t a slave to GM when I quit this well paying, very secure job. I managed to go to Bible College for 3 years, with 3 young children and came out of that experience with no debt. I then went and pastored for 5 years in a small northern community for 5 years, making a third of the wages that I had made at General Motors. We were poor but my kids never knew it. In all of this, I really didn’t understand the basic teachings of finances that I would like to share with you.
One of my favorite studies in the past was the topic of the endtimes. A key passage that is often ignored by endtime teachers is found in Matthew 25,
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
Matthew 25:31-45
I am a little shocked by how Jesus separated the sheep from the goats. It was essentially over the issue of the handling worldly wealth. Providing the basic necessities of life: food, water, clothing, and friendship to those who have less than us.
I come from a church tradition where tithes and offerings get dispersed in this order: buildings, salaries, programs, district office, missions and if anything is left over, some form of benevolence.
For some reason, a simple to understand verse that speaks specifically about caring for the poor was used by me to take up an offering for the above priorities.
1Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
I often quoted from verse 2 when taking up the offering at church. I know it is often printed on tithing envelopes. But the context of this passage was that it was a collection for the oppressed and likely people the Corinthians would never meet.
As a follow up to this passage Paul writes this about a year later.
8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."
2 Corinthians 8:8-15
Our first priority in handling money should be the goal of equality. This is equality on a global basis.
When we hear a kingdom word like equality, our immediate response should be joy. And for some it may be. But for those who might be more like me, it may mean a big pang of fear, or a quick dismissal or maybe it feels like a small bone caught in your throat.
Some people have rejected the idea of a good God on the basic premise of “Why would a good God allow innocent children to die needlessly of hunger and malnutrion.” As a Christian, I somehow closed my ears to that argument and yet it has significant merit.
The reality is that God weeps over every person that has been oppressed and He expects His people to do something about it. My heart was closed to this concept for most of my 30+ years as a Christian. It wasn’t that I wasn’t giving away money, it was that I wasn’t fervently seeking EQUALITY in our world.
The more I meditate on this one concept I am astonished at how much of the evil in the world would be eliminated if we simply desired and acted upon this one principle.
How many trillions have been spent on war or how many millions have been spent on toothpaste for whiter teeth or how many billions have been spent buying bricks for beautiful edifices while children drink contaminated water and fill their bellies with dirt.
Equality would get our priorities straight. Surprisingly, I don’t think we would do without anything of value, in fact, we would even prosper more if we established this as a priority. How much of our taxes goes to lining the pockets of those who have the most and building bombs that supposedly have the purpose of bringing freedom? The waste and excess could be RRRRRRolled back considerably if equality became a real goal.
Praying about equality cannot be done passively. It does require a right understanding of giving and receiving. It requires us to take action but it does not allow us to make beggars of others. This simple caution steers us in a much more creative process of things like micro loans and teaching people to fish.
Let’s not confuse the kingdom principle of EQUALITY with forced equality that is advocated by power mongers in order to control the masses.
Principle #2 Freedom
Wealth and freedom should not be confused with being satisfied with gold. The streets of heaven will be paved with gold. Being satisfied with pavement is a very sad state of affairs.
Some have erroneously interpreted Paul’s caution to Timothy about desiring money to mean that money is somehow evil.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10
But take notice that in this passage Paul isn’t referring to money itself but our desire for it. In other words, when money comes first there is a corruption that inevitably follows.
Principle #1 – Equality is a very nice thing to keep in mind as I write about gold. It is difficult to bring equality to the less fortunate when you have just enough for yourself.
However we shouldn’t fear the effects of money as reflected in this prayer,
God, please don’t let me be so rich that I forget you or so poor that I curse you.
The poorest person can find peace with God and the richest person can be at peace as well. In fact there is no economic situation that can stop someone from knowing and loving God.
My goal is to somehow navigate between the extremes and see what the scriptures teach us about not being consumed by our circumstances, especially in the area of our use of TIME and our willingness to GO.
Abraham is considered the father of our faith. When he was asked to go to a land that he did know, he went. This should be normative for every child of God. When God says go, we go.
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
Genesis 12:1
But here’s what is sometimes forgotten in the equation.
4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Genesis 12:4,5
Abraham didn’t go poor. In fact there were a number of people that had to go with him because they were either indentured servants or slaves. (An indentured servant is a person who willingly gives there time to someone else for an agreed upon price.)
So here is Point #1
Slaves go where their master tells them to go. If Abraham had been a slave or an indentured servant he would not have been able to obey God’s voice.
You need to pause and let this one sink in.
We live in a country of opportunity and freedom that is the envy of most of the world. Our Canadian passport is one of the most sought after passports because it opens more doors for travel than any other passport in the world. And yet, how many Canadians feel free to go wherever and whenever God tells them to?
Something happened in the past two centuries that is different than any time in history. We became indentured servants without knowing it and the cost was to give up our personal freedom, especially in the area of time.
Henry Ford was a genius in creating a system of indentured servants. He paid men $5 a day to work on his production line. He also lowered the daily work day to 8 hours. (This was so he could get 3 shifts out of a 24 hour day.)
Families literally flocked to his factories from all over the country to work for Henry. In so doing, they gave up there personal freedom for about $1,500 a year. A large sum in 1910. Henry is known as the father of modern mass production. He also amassed one of the largest workforces of indentured servants that history had ever seen.
When I left my job at General Motors to go to Bible college a number of eyebrows were raised. How could I leave the security of such a good job?
Years later, I ended up being out of the ministry and my wife and I went to Korea to teach English. After a year, I came back and attended a conference from the organization I had pastored in. I was a little dismayed that they were pushing hard for missions funding. On July 31st of 2001, I knew nothing about teaching English as a second language and on August 28 we were making money and teaching there.
Meanwhile the old paradigm of begging for money to do God's work was alive and well when I arrived home. At the same time, the world is willing to pay for people to come and teach them English with the side affect of sharing our lives with them. I wasn't even financially free, in fact I was a month away from personal bankruptcy, but I was able to go without begging.
It was in Korea that my heart began to yearn to understand business from God's perspective. It wasn't until just recently that God opened my heart and mind to the possibilities that can only come through a business model.
Financially free people never have to ask for money to Go where God wants them to go.
This leads us to Point #2
Security is a myth that is dangled by the few to control the masses. If I said that just a few months ago many would have mocked me. But with the economic meltdown that is happening right now people are shocked to find out that what they had put so much trust in has let them down. Even those with jobs are sitting on pins and needles praying that they won't be next.
The slave has no control over where he goes or what his master decides. A slave’s only hope is that his master is benevolent and makes good decisions.
It has been suggested that immediately following the abolition of slavery in the United States that the slaves’ new freedom made them worse off economically than they had been as slaves. Without the gold, freedom is simply like floating on a raft in the middle of an ocean with no destination in sight.
So how does God speak to his children regarding being slaves.
Paul said, “I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Cor 6:12)
Paul knew freedom. He travelled where he wanted, when he wanted. He not only provided for himself but others.
32"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. Acts 20:32-34
Paul’s business of tent making allowed him to travel where he wanted and when he wanted. Not only that, but it provided for others. Paul did not only talk or pray about equality, he brought it into existence. He was never diminished by doing so. The more he helped others, the more he gained. He really understood the idea of marketplace Christianity. As he ran his business he was able to mix with people and share his faith.
This story is often overlooked by many Christians who are caught in the mindset of being an indentured servant. The idea of rewards for those who increased in wealth and using it for kingdom purposes, like bringing equality, is a mystery and/or perplexes many Christians.
Luke 19:11-26 he tells the parable of the Ten Minas. A mina was equal to about 1/3 of a year’s wages. In this story, one man used the opportunity to make a mina into 10. The only way to do that would have been by using some kind of a business model. Another man made his mina into 5.
We need to pause and listen seriously to what Jesus thought of these two men.
17" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The one with 5 was put in charge of 5 cities.
There were also 7 slaves who went and spent the money on themselves and it was not a good day for them when the master returned.
And then there was the one who hid his mina in the ground.
20"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'
22"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'
24"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.'
25" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'
26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
Luke 19:20-26
It seems in Jesus’ view of the kingdom, the rich do get richer.
Jesus’ encounter with the man who hid his mina leads us to Point #4
With the economic meltdown that is currently happening, are the millionaires of this world really afraid? Is the guy or gal that owns Tim Horton’s afraid. They might not get their biggest profits this year but more than likely they will take their trip to Cancun or Banff just likely they always do.
What I am hearing from many people, Christians and non-Christians who are indentured servants is fear? There is an endless list in the Bible for us to not be afraid and yet many Christians are caught in its vice-like grip.
Even churches are feeling the effects of this downturn. Pastors will be laid off and/or salaries will be decreased. Building programs will be scaled back or stalled altogether. The idea that God gave the vision but our economy determines its outcome is very real. The idea is to hang on until the economy goes back to what it was and we can have our sense of security and then we can move forward with God's vision.
Slaves are always stuck with whatever the circumstances are at the moment.
Interestingly enough, I was talking with a businessman this week and he is planning a significant expansion of his business. For him, this downturn simply means there are more people available to work for him and at a lower wage to boot.
Business people think differently. They are creative and expand when others are like deer caught in the headlights. Successful business people are never motivated by fear. Even if failure does befall them, they don’t shrink away in fear but rather they learn the lesson and continue to seek freedom.
Does that mean that everyone that works for someone else is motivated by fear. Of course not. Many have learned that whatsoever state they are in to be content. Nevertheless, without funds channeling through their lives they to will have to cut back on the number of orphans or widows they are currently caring for. They will miss simple opportunities of doing more and equality in our world will be an unrealized dream.
There are many people who only dream of the opportunities that we as Canadians have. They can’t imagine someone thumbing their nose at simple opportunities that they would literally give their right arm to have. They are the ones who will face the harshest realities of this economic collapse, as help from Canada decreases. There are many people who have been hard working employees and were very generous but even they can’t give what they don’t have.
But I also know many Christians who will be caught in the trap of fear and will not explore business opportunities to overcome their financial distress. They are hoping and praying that their place of employment will survive. They never for a moment consider going after financial freedom and still desire the myth of security. The goal of global equality has never seriously touched their imagination.
Even though their place of security has left them in fear, they will not open their minds to the possibility that perhaps financial freedom might have been a better goal.
While many people were thanking Henry Ford for the opportunity of being able to serve him, Henry travelled where he wanted, lived where he wanted and used his time the way he wanted.
The goals of equality and freedom are not exclusive ideas. In fact, they are two sides of the same coin.
Are there business models out there that would allow everyone to enjoy financial freedom and more importantly freedom to go when God says go? Of course there are. Paul had one 2,000 years ago. I’m in one that allows virtually anyone to enjoy personal financial freedom.
We are living in a day when the opportunity to be in business has never been more accessible. The current economic crisis gives us the opportunity to look at the myth of security without the possibility of being equal to the person we work for. Or we can challenge ourselves to step away from the false security of being an indentured servant and become the master of our time and our wealth.
Remarkably, in a time when our governments and corporate leaders are struggling for answers, those who are willing to make a slight adjustment in their goals and aligning themselves with Biblical values of being financially free with the purpose of bringing equality, we can radically impact our world.
If you are free to go when God says GO, you are not an indentured slave. This freedom isn’t even always tied to job security or even having lots of gold but is really tied to a mindset of obedience to God, desiring equality for all and understanding God does not have slaves. We are his children.
Jesus said,
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"
Luke 16:10-11
For many years I didn’t see what the Bible taught about money. I was caught in the mindset of working, paying my bills and tithing to my local church. I experienced both success and near bankruptcy during this time. If someone said do you serve money, I always answered no.
When I was working at General Motors as a toolmaker, I had a certain amount of financial success. I gave generously to my church but the scriptures that talked extensively of caring for the oppressed were in most part, ignored and not understood by me. It wasn't that they were difficult to understand but it was like there was a cloud over my thinking to really appreciate them.
I always had small misgivings about where my trust really was, God or GM, but I managed to push those insecurities into the background. I wasn't even aware of Paul's words to the Thessalonians. "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." 1 Thess. 4:11,12
I even proved that I wasn’t a slave to GM when I quit this well paying, very secure job. I managed to go to Bible College for 3 years, with 3 young children and came out of that experience with no debt. I then went and pastored for 5 years in a small northern community for 5 years, making a third of the wages that I had made at General Motors. We were poor but my kids never knew it. In all of this, I really didn’t understand the basic teachings of finances that I would like to share with you.
One of my favorite studies in the past was the topic of the endtimes. A key passage that is often ignored by endtime teachers is found in Matthew 25,
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
Matthew 25:31-45
I am a little shocked by how Jesus separated the sheep from the goats. It was essentially over the issue of the handling worldly wealth. Providing the basic necessities of life: food, water, clothing, and friendship to those who have less than us.
I come from a church tradition where tithes and offerings get dispersed in this order: buildings, salaries, programs, district office, missions and if anything is left over, some form of benevolence.
For some reason, a simple to understand verse that speaks specifically about caring for the poor was used by me to take up an offering for the above priorities.
1Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
I often quoted from verse 2 when taking up the offering at church. I know it is often printed on tithing envelopes. But the context of this passage was that it was a collection for the oppressed and likely people the Corinthians would never meet.
As a follow up to this passage Paul writes this about a year later.
8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."
2 Corinthians 8:8-15
Our first priority in handling money should be the goal of equality. This is equality on a global basis.
When we hear a kingdom word like equality, our immediate response should be joy. And for some it may be. But for those who might be more like me, it may mean a big pang of fear, or a quick dismissal or maybe it feels like a small bone caught in your throat.
Some people have rejected the idea of a good God on the basic premise of “Why would a good God allow innocent children to die needlessly of hunger and malnutrion.” As a Christian, I somehow closed my ears to that argument and yet it has significant merit.
The reality is that God weeps over every person that has been oppressed and He expects His people to do something about it. My heart was closed to this concept for most of my 30+ years as a Christian. It wasn’t that I wasn’t giving away money, it was that I wasn’t fervently seeking EQUALITY in our world.
The more I meditate on this one concept I am astonished at how much of the evil in the world would be eliminated if we simply desired and acted upon this one principle.
How many trillions have been spent on war or how many millions have been spent on toothpaste for whiter teeth or how many billions have been spent buying bricks for beautiful edifices while children drink contaminated water and fill their bellies with dirt.
Equality would get our priorities straight. Surprisingly, I don’t think we would do without anything of value, in fact, we would even prosper more if we established this as a priority. How much of our taxes goes to lining the pockets of those who have the most and building bombs that supposedly have the purpose of bringing freedom? The waste and excess could be RRRRRRolled back considerably if equality became a real goal.
Praying about equality cannot be done passively. It does require a right understanding of giving and receiving. It requires us to take action but it does not allow us to make beggars of others. This simple caution steers us in a much more creative process of things like micro loans and teaching people to fish.
Let’s not confuse the kingdom principle of EQUALITY with forced equality that is advocated by power mongers in order to control the masses.
Principle #2 Freedom
Wealth and freedom should not be confused with being satisfied with gold. The streets of heaven will be paved with gold. Being satisfied with pavement is a very sad state of affairs.
Some have erroneously interpreted Paul’s caution to Timothy about desiring money to mean that money is somehow evil.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10
But take notice that in this passage Paul isn’t referring to money itself but our desire for it. In other words, when money comes first there is a corruption that inevitably follows.
Principle #1 – Equality is a very nice thing to keep in mind as I write about gold. It is difficult to bring equality to the less fortunate when you have just enough for yourself.
However we shouldn’t fear the effects of money as reflected in this prayer,
God, please don’t let me be so rich that I forget you or so poor that I curse you.
The poorest person can find peace with God and the richest person can be at peace as well. In fact there is no economic situation that can stop someone from knowing and loving God.
My goal is to somehow navigate between the extremes and see what the scriptures teach us about not being consumed by our circumstances, especially in the area of our use of TIME and our willingness to GO.
Abraham is considered the father of our faith. When he was asked to go to a land that he did know, he went. This should be normative for every child of God. When God says go, we go.
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
Genesis 12:1
But here’s what is sometimes forgotten in the equation.
4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Genesis 12:4,5
Abraham didn’t go poor. In fact there were a number of people that had to go with him because they were either indentured servants or slaves. (An indentured servant is a person who willingly gives there time to someone else for an agreed upon price.)
So here is Point #1
Only a free person can go where they want.
Slaves go where their master tells them to go. If Abraham had been a slave or an indentured servant he would not have been able to obey God’s voice.
You need to pause and let this one sink in.
We live in a country of opportunity and freedom that is the envy of most of the world. Our Canadian passport is one of the most sought after passports because it opens more doors for travel than any other passport in the world. And yet, how many Canadians feel free to go wherever and whenever God tells them to?
Something happened in the past two centuries that is different than any time in history. We became indentured servants without knowing it and the cost was to give up our personal freedom, especially in the area of time.
Henry Ford was a genius in creating a system of indentured servants. He paid men $5 a day to work on his production line. He also lowered the daily work day to 8 hours. (This was so he could get 3 shifts out of a 24 hour day.)
Families literally flocked to his factories from all over the country to work for Henry. In so doing, they gave up there personal freedom for about $1,500 a year. A large sum in 1910. Henry is known as the father of modern mass production. He also amassed one of the largest workforces of indentured servants that history had ever seen.
When I left my job at General Motors to go to Bible college a number of eyebrows were raised. How could I leave the security of such a good job?
Years later, I ended up being out of the ministry and my wife and I went to Korea to teach English. After a year, I came back and attended a conference from the organization I had pastored in. I was a little dismayed that they were pushing hard for missions funding. On July 31st of 2001, I knew nothing about teaching English as a second language and on August 28 we were making money and teaching there.
Meanwhile the old paradigm of begging for money to do God's work was alive and well when I arrived home. At the same time, the world is willing to pay for people to come and teach them English with the side affect of sharing our lives with them. I wasn't even financially free, in fact I was a month away from personal bankruptcy, but I was able to go without begging.
It was in Korea that my heart began to yearn to understand business from God's perspective. It wasn't until just recently that God opened my heart and mind to the possibilities that can only come through a business model.
Financially free people never have to ask for money to Go where God wants them to go.
This leads us to Point #2
Security does not equal Freedom
Security is a myth that is dangled by the few to control the masses. If I said that just a few months ago many would have mocked me. But with the economic meltdown that is happening right now people are shocked to find out that what they had put so much trust in has let them down. Even those with jobs are sitting on pins and needles praying that they won't be next.
The slave has no control over where he goes or what his master decides. A slave’s only hope is that his master is benevolent and makes good decisions.
It has been suggested that immediately following the abolition of slavery in the United States that the slaves’ new freedom made them worse off economically than they had been as slaves. Without the gold, freedom is simply like floating on a raft in the middle of an ocean with no destination in sight.
So how does God speak to his children regarding being slaves.
Paul said, “I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Cor 6:12)
Paul knew freedom. He travelled where he wanted, when he wanted. He not only provided for himself but others.
32"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. Acts 20:32-34
Paul’s business of tent making allowed him to travel where he wanted and when he wanted. Not only that, but it provided for others. Paul did not only talk or pray about equality, he brought it into existence. He was never diminished by doing so. The more he helped others, the more he gained. He really understood the idea of marketplace Christianity. As he ran his business he was able to mix with people and share his faith.
Jesus himself, put a high value on us increasing in wealth which leads us to Point #3
Wealth Gives Freedom and Authority
Wealth Gives Freedom and Authority
This story is often overlooked by many Christians who are caught in the mindset of being an indentured servant. The idea of rewards for those who increased in wealth and using it for kingdom purposes, like bringing equality, is a mystery and/or perplexes many Christians.
Luke 19:11-26 he tells the parable of the Ten Minas. A mina was equal to about 1/3 of a year’s wages. In this story, one man used the opportunity to make a mina into 10. The only way to do that would have been by using some kind of a business model. Another man made his mina into 5.
We need to pause and listen seriously to what Jesus thought of these two men.
17" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The one with 5 was put in charge of 5 cities.
There were also 7 slaves who went and spent the money on themselves and it was not a good day for them when the master returned.
And then there was the one who hid his mina in the ground.
20"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'
22"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'
24"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.'
25" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'
26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
Luke 19:20-26
It seems in Jesus’ view of the kingdom, the rich do get richer.
Jesus’ encounter with the man who hid his mina leads us to Point #4
We are not to be afraid.
With the economic meltdown that is currently happening, are the millionaires of this world really afraid? Is the guy or gal that owns Tim Horton’s afraid. They might not get their biggest profits this year but more than likely they will take their trip to Cancun or Banff just likely they always do.
What I am hearing from many people, Christians and non-Christians who are indentured servants is fear? There is an endless list in the Bible for us to not be afraid and yet many Christians are caught in its vice-like grip.
Even churches are feeling the effects of this downturn. Pastors will be laid off and/or salaries will be decreased. Building programs will be scaled back or stalled altogether. The idea that God gave the vision but our economy determines its outcome is very real. The idea is to hang on until the economy goes back to what it was and we can have our sense of security and then we can move forward with God's vision.
Slaves are always stuck with whatever the circumstances are at the moment.
Interestingly enough, I was talking with a businessman this week and he is planning a significant expansion of his business. For him, this downturn simply means there are more people available to work for him and at a lower wage to boot.
Business people think differently. They are creative and expand when others are like deer caught in the headlights. Successful business people are never motivated by fear. Even if failure does befall them, they don’t shrink away in fear but rather they learn the lesson and continue to seek freedom.
Does that mean that everyone that works for someone else is motivated by fear. Of course not. Many have learned that whatsoever state they are in to be content. Nevertheless, without funds channeling through their lives they to will have to cut back on the number of orphans or widows they are currently caring for. They will miss simple opportunities of doing more and equality in our world will be an unrealized dream.
There are many people who only dream of the opportunities that we as Canadians have. They can’t imagine someone thumbing their nose at simple opportunities that they would literally give their right arm to have. They are the ones who will face the harshest realities of this economic collapse, as help from Canada decreases. There are many people who have been hard working employees and were very generous but even they can’t give what they don’t have.
But I also know many Christians who will be caught in the trap of fear and will not explore business opportunities to overcome their financial distress. They are hoping and praying that their place of employment will survive. They never for a moment consider going after financial freedom and still desire the myth of security. The goal of global equality has never seriously touched their imagination.
Even though their place of security has left them in fear, they will not open their minds to the possibility that perhaps financial freedom might have been a better goal.
While many people were thanking Henry Ford for the opportunity of being able to serve him, Henry travelled where he wanted, lived where he wanted and used his time the way he wanted.
The goals of equality and freedom are not exclusive ideas. In fact, they are two sides of the same coin.
Are there business models out there that would allow everyone to enjoy financial freedom and more importantly freedom to go when God says go? Of course there are. Paul had one 2,000 years ago. I’m in one that allows virtually anyone to enjoy personal financial freedom.
We are living in a day when the opportunity to be in business has never been more accessible. The current economic crisis gives us the opportunity to look at the myth of security without the possibility of being equal to the person we work for. Or we can challenge ourselves to step away from the false security of being an indentured servant and become the master of our time and our wealth.
Remarkably, in a time when our governments and corporate leaders are struggling for answers, those who are willing to make a slight adjustment in their goals and aligning themselves with Biblical values of being financially free with the purpose of bringing equality, we can radically impact our world.
If you are free to go when God says GO, you are not an indentured slave. This freedom isn’t even always tied to job security or even having lots of gold but is really tied to a mindset of obedience to God, desiring equality for all and understanding God does not have slaves. We are his children.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Healthy Conflict - Iron Sharpens Iron
Life in Healthy Conflict by Mike from ROCK Canada
We co-hosted a weekend gathering in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada. It was an opportunity for people from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives to share the journey of faith they are experiencing; the good, the bad and the ugly. For my wife and I this was an exceptional weekend, we enjoyed ourselves and were challenged in wonderful ways.
There were folks from a variety of backgrounds, some who were “free range” Christians to those who are ardent supporters of institutional forms of Church. While I was well aware of the diversity of people attending and the potential for conflict, I was more concerned that it would be just another gathering of Christians where we all put on our “best face” and never say what we really believe / think. What a surprise when people were pretty darn open and honest, and while this created some mess it was a real gift from God.
A friend wrote his Master thesis on Conflict from a business perspective and focused on two kinds of conflict; 1) Conflict that ends relationship and 2) conflict which inspires creativity and innovation. The latter being a very healthy and very necessary form of conflict but one which is often times missing in western evangelical / charismatic Christian circles. It seems, though unfortunate, in matters of religion often disagreement ends with schism, formally like church splits or with informal factions within a body. So the tendency in many church settings is passive aggressive by simply playing nice while playing “respectable” politics aka “power games”. This seems to be appealing to many because it is the preferred modus operandi. After all it keeps the peace (gingerly though it may be) but in reality it is one of the biggest road blocks to authentic healthy community. Why? Simply because we never really deal with our issues together, hiding our true thoughts and feelings – our very selves – from others. Community cannot form and be nurtured in this climate. The best we can hope for is some congeniality and some cooperation, but I suggest Christian community is so much more!
There is a misnomer that the absence of conflict is the sign of a mature healthy community, and conversely, conflict in a church must mean it is somehow unspiritual or unhealthy. I strongly assert this is a completely erroneous distinction. The reality of life with real people is that when we are truly honest, we admit we are broken people. We all have issues and these issues manifest themselves in a variety of ways – some of which are more socially acceptable than others. Regardless, we all have our issues and conflict is inevitable. The demarcation of healthy or unhealthy, spiritual or unspiritual church communities is not the absence or manifestation of conflict. Health is determined by how we deal with conflict when it arises – and it will. How we deal with conflict will directly have an impact on the depth to which communities can actually form and become safe places to be. To become safe communities we must embrace conflict and deal with it in love and allow Holy Spirit to inspire us, to heal us and give us creativity to address our personal and corporate challenges together.
The emphasis needs to be on relationship and the path of healthy relationship is intersected by conflict. Our church communities prefer the efficient operation of the service and programs – this is the ultimate goal. As such we have no time to address real issues as the schedules and demands of our “product” trump the needs of relationship. As such, unhealthy power will be exerted to force or manipulate parties back into their service to the machine. Rules and hierarchy will be instituted to manage the brokenness. Positional power is often invoked along with political power to bring about conformity. Unfortunately these never deal with the issues and only hide them requiring a bigger and more “violent” use of power to keep the issues under control in the future.
The other means of avoiding conflict is through “busyness” and the “new and shiny”. The old adage “idle hands are the devils workshop” seem to lead us to keep very busy, too busy to get into trouble. Workaholism is very alive and well in evangelical Christianity but even busyness doesn’t avert conflict but will very often inhibit our ability and resources to deal with it. Likewise, the shiny and new also seeks to take our mind off the relational issues and put them on a new project, new mission, etc. Unfortunately this is not unlike a married couple attempting to keep their struggling marriage together by having children. While it diverts attention from the issues, they will no doubt surface in the not to distant future!
So what do I mean when I say things like relationship over issue? I mean that we must value healthy relationships over mission (aka the efficient operation of our services, programs and activities). I would dare to say that healthy loving relationships are the primary mission of the Kingdom of God. Consider “they will know you are my disciples because you love one another.” John 13:35
Again, conflict is a part of reality, a manifestation of our brokenness, however, Jesus has taught us to embrace the conflict, deal with it and disarm it! How? Is any of the following familiar?
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”
“Forgive one another”
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you”
“If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn and offer them your left”.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned”
“Don’t let the sun go down on your anger”.
“Seventy times Seven”
“If someone demands your shirt, give them your coat as well”.
“If you are told to go a mile, go the second”.
“Serve one and other”
“No greater love than this than a man lays down his life for his friends.”
“ A new command I leave you love others as I have loved you.”
All these and many more are practical examples of how we deal with conflict in spiritually maturing communities. These scriptural values will convert conflict to a catalyst for deeper relationships – authentic, honest, safer and caring communities.
I have heard it said that God will often offend the mind to reveal the heart and my experience affirms the truth of this. So in the bit of the mess of our gathering last weekend, a gift of God was made manifest which I hope we do not over look. The process of the conflict with others and their ideas may in fact be God himself challenging us to deal with our own blind spots and brokenness. Failure to do so will perpetuate relationally shallow church and faith. Many of us have higher hopes for the Church and are prepared to step out with courage and love into the joyous mess that life can sometimes be.
We co-hosted a weekend gathering in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada. It was an opportunity for people from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives to share the journey of faith they are experiencing; the good, the bad and the ugly. For my wife and I this was an exceptional weekend, we enjoyed ourselves and were challenged in wonderful ways.
There were folks from a variety of backgrounds, some who were “free range” Christians to those who are ardent supporters of institutional forms of Church. While I was well aware of the diversity of people attending and the potential for conflict, I was more concerned that it would be just another gathering of Christians where we all put on our “best face” and never say what we really believe / think. What a surprise when people were pretty darn open and honest, and while this created some mess it was a real gift from God.
A friend wrote his Master thesis on Conflict from a business perspective and focused on two kinds of conflict; 1) Conflict that ends relationship and 2) conflict which inspires creativity and innovation. The latter being a very healthy and very necessary form of conflict but one which is often times missing in western evangelical / charismatic Christian circles. It seems, though unfortunate, in matters of religion often disagreement ends with schism, formally like church splits or with informal factions within a body. So the tendency in many church settings is passive aggressive by simply playing nice while playing “respectable” politics aka “power games”. This seems to be appealing to many because it is the preferred modus operandi. After all it keeps the peace (gingerly though it may be) but in reality it is one of the biggest road blocks to authentic healthy community. Why? Simply because we never really deal with our issues together, hiding our true thoughts and feelings – our very selves – from others. Community cannot form and be nurtured in this climate. The best we can hope for is some congeniality and some cooperation, but I suggest Christian community is so much more!
There is a misnomer that the absence of conflict is the sign of a mature healthy community, and conversely, conflict in a church must mean it is somehow unspiritual or unhealthy. I strongly assert this is a completely erroneous distinction. The reality of life with real people is that when we are truly honest, we admit we are broken people. We all have issues and these issues manifest themselves in a variety of ways – some of which are more socially acceptable than others. Regardless, we all have our issues and conflict is inevitable. The demarcation of healthy or unhealthy, spiritual or unspiritual church communities is not the absence or manifestation of conflict. Health is determined by how we deal with conflict when it arises – and it will. How we deal with conflict will directly have an impact on the depth to which communities can actually form and become safe places to be. To become safe communities we must embrace conflict and deal with it in love and allow Holy Spirit to inspire us, to heal us and give us creativity to address our personal and corporate challenges together.
The emphasis needs to be on relationship and the path of healthy relationship is intersected by conflict. Our church communities prefer the efficient operation of the service and programs – this is the ultimate goal. As such we have no time to address real issues as the schedules and demands of our “product” trump the needs of relationship. As such, unhealthy power will be exerted to force or manipulate parties back into their service to the machine. Rules and hierarchy will be instituted to manage the brokenness. Positional power is often invoked along with political power to bring about conformity. Unfortunately these never deal with the issues and only hide them requiring a bigger and more “violent” use of power to keep the issues under control in the future.
The other means of avoiding conflict is through “busyness” and the “new and shiny”. The old adage “idle hands are the devils workshop” seem to lead us to keep very busy, too busy to get into trouble. Workaholism is very alive and well in evangelical Christianity but even busyness doesn’t avert conflict but will very often inhibit our ability and resources to deal with it. Likewise, the shiny and new also seeks to take our mind off the relational issues and put them on a new project, new mission, etc. Unfortunately this is not unlike a married couple attempting to keep their struggling marriage together by having children. While it diverts attention from the issues, they will no doubt surface in the not to distant future!
So what do I mean when I say things like relationship over issue? I mean that we must value healthy relationships over mission (aka the efficient operation of our services, programs and activities). I would dare to say that healthy loving relationships are the primary mission of the Kingdom of God. Consider “they will know you are my disciples because you love one another.” John 13:35
Again, conflict is a part of reality, a manifestation of our brokenness, however, Jesus has taught us to embrace the conflict, deal with it and disarm it! How? Is any of the following familiar?
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”
“Forgive one another”
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you”
“If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn and offer them your left”.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned”
“Don’t let the sun go down on your anger”.
“Seventy times Seven”
“If someone demands your shirt, give them your coat as well”.
“If you are told to go a mile, go the second”.
“Serve one and other”
“No greater love than this than a man lays down his life for his friends.”
“ A new command I leave you love others as I have loved you.”
All these and many more are practical examples of how we deal with conflict in spiritually maturing communities. These scriptural values will convert conflict to a catalyst for deeper relationships – authentic, honest, safer and caring communities.
I have heard it said that God will often offend the mind to reveal the heart and my experience affirms the truth of this. So in the bit of the mess of our gathering last weekend, a gift of God was made manifest which I hope we do not over look. The process of the conflict with others and their ideas may in fact be God himself challenging us to deal with our own blind spots and brokenness. Failure to do so will perpetuate relationally shallow church and faith. Many of us have higher hopes for the Church and are prepared to step out with courage and love into the joyous mess that life can sometimes be.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
How to Steal From the Poor and Give Everyone a Clear Conscience
I read this from a church budget update that I saw online.
Weekly Budget | $25,000.00 When a financial goal for a particular project has been reached, ****** Church reserves the right to allocate additional funds to the most urgent need at that time.
What does this mean? Let's say the project was "Care for the Poor in Honduras". And the budget amount is $20,000. If 50 church members felt God lead them to give $1,000 to this cause, $50,000 in total, the leadership could use $30,000 of their giving to go to another budget item like advertising. The people that gave to the poor in Honduras would never know that this happened. But at least they've done their part and followed the leading of the Lord.
When people designate their giving to a particular budget item, it usually isn't in the category of paper clips or cleaning supplies. Understandably, a project could be fixing the roof and therefore surplus dollars should be allocated elsewhere.
Some people take a different approach to their giving and don't designate any of their offering. The assumption they have is that a percentage of their giving would go to worthwhile projects. The Honduras project is 1.5% of the church budget. Therefore for every $100 that they give they would be happy to know that $1.50 would go to the poor. But if $20,000 of the Honduras budget came in through designated offerings, maybe even through just 1 person giving the full $20,000, that would mean that no one else even gave 1.5% of their offerings to that particular project.
How would you know if this has happened? You could ask but you will likely be given the impression that you are not trusting the leadership simply because of your question. And I've got a hunch that if that scenario did happen that way, that they wouldn't tell you how much had been designated and how much was re-allocated.
Would the leadership do this? What if the church does not reach its budget target each week? You do the math.
p.s.
This is actually a common practice in many churches and pastors teach each other this. It is the modern day application of what Jesus denounced the Pharisees for.
Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
" 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'
Matthew 15:3-9
Weekly Budget | $25,000.00 When a financial goal for a particular project has been reached, ****** Church reserves the right to allocate additional funds to the most urgent need at that time.
What does this mean? Let's say the project was "Care for the Poor in Honduras". And the budget amount is $20,000. If 50 church members felt God lead them to give $1,000 to this cause, $50,000 in total, the leadership could use $30,000 of their giving to go to another budget item like advertising. The people that gave to the poor in Honduras would never know that this happened. But at least they've done their part and followed the leading of the Lord.
When people designate their giving to a particular budget item, it usually isn't in the category of paper clips or cleaning supplies. Understandably, a project could be fixing the roof and therefore surplus dollars should be allocated elsewhere.
Some people take a different approach to their giving and don't designate any of their offering. The assumption they have is that a percentage of their giving would go to worthwhile projects. The Honduras project is 1.5% of the church budget. Therefore for every $100 that they give they would be happy to know that $1.50 would go to the poor. But if $20,000 of the Honduras budget came in through designated offerings, maybe even through just 1 person giving the full $20,000, that would mean that no one else even gave 1.5% of their offerings to that particular project.
How would you know if this has happened? You could ask but you will likely be given the impression that you are not trusting the leadership simply because of your question. And I've got a hunch that if that scenario did happen that way, that they wouldn't tell you how much had been designated and how much was re-allocated.
Would the leadership do this? What if the church does not reach its budget target each week? You do the math.
p.s.
This is actually a common practice in many churches and pastors teach each other this. It is the modern day application of what Jesus denounced the Pharisees for.
Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
" 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'
Matthew 15:3-9
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Oh my, Someone else thinks Church is Boring.
CHURCH IS boring. I don’t ever recall hopping out of bed on Sunday morning jazzed about the sermon, even when the preacher was good. I’ve never driven to church in anticipation of hearing the choir or the worship band, even when they included remarkable musicians. When I went, it was to see my friends. I wanted to talk. Sunday school and Bible study were okay, but breezeway and parking lot conversations were the most invigorating. My utmost communion with the Body of Christ didn’t even happen on the church premises. That happened in some loud restaurant that offered free refills of Diet Coke that helped me power on past noon and large portions that would render me unconscious fifteen minutes after I got home.For the rest of this rather truthful article go to, The Flabby Body of Christ.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wow, What a Question!
Lover or Prostitute? The Question that Changed My Life
by David Ryser
A number of years ago, I had the privilege of teaching at a school of ministry. My students were hungry for God, and I was constantly searching for ways to challenge them to fall more in love with Jesus and to become voices for revival in the Church. I came across a quote attributed most often to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this:
Some of the students were only 18 or 19 years old–barely out of diapers–and I wanted them to understand and appreciate the import of the last line, so I clarified it by adding, “An enterprise. That’s a business.” After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I thought the little vignette was self-explanatory, and that I had performed it brilliantly. Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha’s raised hand, “Yes, Martha.” She asked such a simple question,
I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the only response I could think of was, “Yes.” She continued,
The room went dead silent. For several seconds no one moved or spoke. We were stunned, afraid to make a sound because the presence of God had flooded into the room, and we knew we were on holy ground. All I could think in those sacred moments was, “Wow, I wish I’d thought of that.” I didn’t dare express that thought aloud. God had taken over the class.
Martha’s question changed my life. For six months, I thought about her question at least once every day. “When a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?” There is only one answer to her question. The answer is “Yes.” The American Church, tragically, is heavily populated by people who do not love God. How can we love Him? We don’t even know Him; and I mean really know Him.
What do I mean when I say “really know Him?” Our understanding of knowing and knowledge stems from our western culture (which is based in ancient Greek philosophical thought). We believe we have knowledge (and, by extension, wisdom) when we have collected information. A collection of information is not the same thing as knowledge, especially in the culture of the Bible (which is an eastern, non-Greek, culture). In the eastern culture, all knowledge is experiential. In western/Greek culture, we argue from premise to conclusion without regard for experience–or so we think.
An example might be helpful here. Let us suppose a question based upon the following two premises: First, that wheat does not grow in a cold climate and second, that England has a cold climate. The question: Does wheat grow in England? The vast majority of people from the western/Greek culture would answer, “No. If wheat does not grow in a cold climate and if England has a cold climate, then it follows that wheat does not grow in England.” In the eastern culture, the answer to the same question, based on the same premises, most likely would be, “I don’t know. I’ve never been to England.” We laugh at this thinking, but when I posed the same question to my friends from England, their answer was, “Yes, of course wheat grows in England. We’re from there, and we know wheat grows there.” They overcame their cultural way of thinking because of their life experience. Experience trumps information when it comes to knowledge.
A similar problem exists with our concept of belief. We say we believe something (or someone) apart from personal experience. This definition of belief is not extended to our stockbroker, however. Again, allow me to explain. Suppose my stockbroker phones me and says, “I have a hot tip on a stock that is going to triple in price within the next week. I want your permission to transfer $10,000 from your cash account and buy this stock.” That’s a lot of money for me, so I ask, “Do you really believe this stock will triple in price, and so quickly?” He/she answers, “I sure do.” I say, “That sounds great! How exciting! So how much of your own money have you invested in this stock?” He/she answers, “None.” Does my stockbroker believe? Truly believe? I don’t think so, and suddenly I don’t believe, either. How can we be so discerning in the things of this world, especially when they involve money, and so indiscriminate when it comes to spiritual things? The fact is, we do not know or believe apart from experience. The Bible was written to people who would not understand the concepts of knowledge, belief, and faith apart from experience. I suspect God thinks this way also.
So I stand by my statement that most American Christians do not know God–much less love Him. The root of this condition originates in how we came to God. Most of us came to Him because of what we were told He would do for us. We were promised that He would bless us in life and take us to heaven after death. We married Him for His money, and we don’t care if He lives or dies as long as we can get His stuff. We have made the Kingdom of God into a business, merchandising His anointing. This should not be. We are commanded to love God, and are called to be the Bride of Christ–that’s pretty intimate stuff. We are supposed to be His lovers. How can we love someone we don’t even know? And even if we do know someone, is that a guarantee that we truly love them? Are we lovers or prostitutes?
I was pondering Martha’s question again one day, and considered the question, “What’s the difference between a lover and a prostitute?” I realized that both do many of the same things, but a lover does what she does because she loves. A prostitute pretends to love, but only as long as you pay. Then I asked the question, “What would happen if God stopped paying me?”
For the next several months, I allowed God to search me to uncover my motives for loving and serving Him. Was I really a true lover of God? What would happen if He stopped blessing me? What if He never did another thing for me? Would I still love Him? Please understand, I believe in the promises and blessings of God. The issue here is not whether God blesses His children; the issue is the condition of my heart. Why do I serve Him? Are His blessings in my life the gifts of a loving Father, or are they a wage that I have earned or a bribe/payment to love Him? Do I love God without any conditions? It took several months to work through these questions. Even now I wonder if my desire to love God is always matched by my attitude and behavior. I still catch myself being disappointed with God and angry that He has not met some perceived need in my life. I suspect this is something which is never fully resolved, but I want more than anything else to be a true lover of God.
So what is it going to be? Which are we, lover or prostitute? There are no prostitutes in heaven, or in the Kingdom of God for that matter, but there are plenty of former prostitutes in both places. Take it from a recovering prostitute when I say there is no substitute for unconditional, intimate relationship with God. And I mean there is no palatable substitute available to us (take another look at Matthew 7:21-23 sometime). We must choose.
by David Ryser
A number of years ago, I had the privilege of teaching at a school of ministry. My students were hungry for God, and I was constantly searching for ways to challenge them to fall more in love with Jesus and to become voices for revival in the Church. I came across a quote attributed most often to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this:
Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship;
it moved to Greece and became a philosophy;
it moved to Italy and became an institution;
it moved to Europe and became a culture;
it came to America and became an enterprise.
it moved to Greece and became a philosophy;
it moved to Italy and became an institution;
it moved to Europe and became a culture;
it came to America and became an enterprise.
Some of the students were only 18 or 19 years old–barely out of diapers–and I wanted them to understand and appreciate the import of the last line, so I clarified it by adding, “An enterprise. That’s a business.” After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I thought the little vignette was self-explanatory, and that I had performed it brilliantly. Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha’s raised hand, “Yes, Martha.” She asked such a simple question,
“A business? But isn’t it supposed to be a body?”
I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the only response I could think of was, “Yes.” She continued,
“But when a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?”
The room went dead silent. For several seconds no one moved or spoke. We were stunned, afraid to make a sound because the presence of God had flooded into the room, and we knew we were on holy ground. All I could think in those sacred moments was, “Wow, I wish I’d thought of that.” I didn’t dare express that thought aloud. God had taken over the class.
Martha’s question changed my life. For six months, I thought about her question at least once every day. “When a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?” There is only one answer to her question. The answer is “Yes.” The American Church, tragically, is heavily populated by people who do not love God. How can we love Him? We don’t even know Him; and I mean really know Him.
What do I mean when I say “really know Him?” Our understanding of knowing and knowledge stems from our western culture (which is based in ancient Greek philosophical thought). We believe we have knowledge (and, by extension, wisdom) when we have collected information. A collection of information is not the same thing as knowledge, especially in the culture of the Bible (which is an eastern, non-Greek, culture). In the eastern culture, all knowledge is experiential. In western/Greek culture, we argue from premise to conclusion without regard for experience–or so we think.
An example might be helpful here. Let us suppose a question based upon the following two premises: First, that wheat does not grow in a cold climate and second, that England has a cold climate. The question: Does wheat grow in England? The vast majority of people from the western/Greek culture would answer, “No. If wheat does not grow in a cold climate and if England has a cold climate, then it follows that wheat does not grow in England.” In the eastern culture, the answer to the same question, based on the same premises, most likely would be, “I don’t know. I’ve never been to England.” We laugh at this thinking, but when I posed the same question to my friends from England, their answer was, “Yes, of course wheat grows in England. We’re from there, and we know wheat grows there.” They overcame their cultural way of thinking because of their life experience. Experience trumps information when it comes to knowledge.
A similar problem exists with our concept of belief. We say we believe something (or someone) apart from personal experience. This definition of belief is not extended to our stockbroker, however. Again, allow me to explain. Suppose my stockbroker phones me and says, “I have a hot tip on a stock that is going to triple in price within the next week. I want your permission to transfer $10,000 from your cash account and buy this stock.” That’s a lot of money for me, so I ask, “Do you really believe this stock will triple in price, and so quickly?” He/she answers, “I sure do.” I say, “That sounds great! How exciting! So how much of your own money have you invested in this stock?” He/she answers, “None.” Does my stockbroker believe? Truly believe? I don’t think so, and suddenly I don’t believe, either. How can we be so discerning in the things of this world, especially when they involve money, and so indiscriminate when it comes to spiritual things? The fact is, we do not know or believe apart from experience. The Bible was written to people who would not understand the concepts of knowledge, belief, and faith apart from experience. I suspect God thinks this way also.
So I stand by my statement that most American Christians do not know God–much less love Him. The root of this condition originates in how we came to God. Most of us came to Him because of what we were told He would do for us. We were promised that He would bless us in life and take us to heaven after death. We married Him for His money, and we don’t care if He lives or dies as long as we can get His stuff. We have made the Kingdom of God into a business, merchandising His anointing. This should not be. We are commanded to love God, and are called to be the Bride of Christ–that’s pretty intimate stuff. We are supposed to be His lovers. How can we love someone we don’t even know? And even if we do know someone, is that a guarantee that we truly love them? Are we lovers or prostitutes?
I was pondering Martha’s question again one day, and considered the question, “What’s the difference between a lover and a prostitute?” I realized that both do many of the same things, but a lover does what she does because she loves. A prostitute pretends to love, but only as long as you pay. Then I asked the question, “What would happen if God stopped paying me?”
For the next several months, I allowed God to search me to uncover my motives for loving and serving Him. Was I really a true lover of God? What would happen if He stopped blessing me? What if He never did another thing for me? Would I still love Him? Please understand, I believe in the promises and blessings of God. The issue here is not whether God blesses His children; the issue is the condition of my heart. Why do I serve Him? Are His blessings in my life the gifts of a loving Father, or are they a wage that I have earned or a bribe/payment to love Him? Do I love God without any conditions? It took several months to work through these questions. Even now I wonder if my desire to love God is always matched by my attitude and behavior. I still catch myself being disappointed with God and angry that He has not met some perceived need in my life. I suspect this is something which is never fully resolved, but I want more than anything else to be a true lover of God.
So what is it going to be? Which are we, lover or prostitute? There are no prostitutes in heaven, or in the Kingdom of God for that matter, but there are plenty of former prostitutes in both places. Take it from a recovering prostitute when I say there is no substitute for unconditional, intimate relationship with God. And I mean there is no palatable substitute available to us (take another look at Matthew 7:21-23 sometime). We must choose.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Transformed
A simple, powerful message. Conveying a life changing truth need not take long. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to make it come alive in the listener.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Helping People Help People
The vision I want to talk about in this blog is a really simple way of helping people. Lots of preaching out there about something something but I'm not sure if much rubber ever meets the road. This plan is practical, can be reproduced and it helps others without making people beggars. Even those who have or are at risk of losing jobs can dig in right away to do this. The only obstacle to success is people's unwillingness to try something new. Aren't you glad you aren't one of them? And thank goodness you only have to get a couple of others to join you. Surely you have that much influence in your life.
The Vision
Years ago, people died of malnutrition simply because they didn’t know that fruits and vegetables contained the vital vitamins and minerals that our bodies need for good health. And even though we now understand that we need them, not everyone gets the full range of vitamins and minerals that are the building blocks for our minds and our bodies. Even those who can afford and have available the 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables that we need each day, rarely take in those in quantities to ensure good health.
But this isn’t about supplying vital nutrients to those who have them easily available. There are literally millions of people (including widows, orphans, homeless, innercity kids, etc.) that do not have access or can afford to buy that much nutrition in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables. Is there a simple solution to this lack of equality in our world?
YES! It comes in the same way that we would supply a spaceship, concentrated supplements with all of the goodness of shopping carts filled with fruits and vegetables, packed into a bottle that fits in the palm of our hands.
Remarkably, this approach to nutrition is more cost effective than growing gardens in urban jungles nor do we have to deal with the daunting issues of freshness, quality, delivery and storage.
Caring for others and ensuring that everyone is given equal opportunity for healthy minds and bodies is a mandate that we can all take seriously. By simply learning to work together we can see this lived out on a global basis. I have no idea why the powers that be are not doing this today, but I also know that it doesn’t have to be left in the hands of anyone but us. We can make a difference!!!
HOW?
We simply need to do 2 things to make this a reality. Use the most advanced forms of food sourced supplementation available today and combine them with a sustainable means of delivering them to those in need.
WHY SUSTAINABLE?
Good intentions does not make something sustainable. How do we tell a mother with 4 young children that what we started in bringing them health is no longer available because someone has lost their job and can no longer supply the needed supplements? To bring hope and education and then not follow through seems a rather shortsighted gesture.
We need a sustainable plan. Sustainable means creating the necessary funds to ensure ongoing support without the threat of being interfered with by job losses and other priorities replacing the hope that is being provided.
This kind of guarantee of ongoing support needs to be funded through a business model and not a donation model. And this, for many, will be a significant paradigm shift. The time to learn and implement this model will take much less time than it takes to prepare, let alone, plant, weed and harvest a single garden. It simply takes a willingness to try a new approach.
There are 2 requirements that are necessary for this plan to work.
#1 – The desire to see people helped through providing good nutrition.
#2 – The understanding that this is something that needs to be sustainable.
Sustainability
There a 2 types of people that should be involved in the process of sustainability.
95% of these people should simply be good customers and 5% should be business people.
Good Customers: These are people that believe good nutrition is important and understand that it is as important to finish something they have started as it is to start to do a good thing. The simplest way for this to happen is by making enough money from giving this help, to ensure they never have to stop. This is like a sports fisherman that catches enough fish for his family and his neighbours.
Business People: These are people who take this matter of caring to a more developed level. They do this as their main source of income. They look after the good customers, the distribution of the supplements, have decent computer skills and the drive to ensure the ongoing fulfillment of this vision.
Which kind of person are you?
Do you see the vision of caring for others by providing nutrition in the form of supplements?
For those that say yes to this vision, I would suggest that you start as a customer. Begin providing help today by registering as an associate in my business of Mannatech and letting me take care of the details of getting those vital supplements to those in need.
Down the road you may want to learn and do more within the business model but the secret of success in this vision is by simply starting.
My goal will be to help you become sustainable in the giving of this care. Simply help me by sharing this simple means of caring for others once and awhile with some friends that you think would want to do the same thing. I will look after the details and you can rest assured that through this simple form of teamwork that we will bring nutritional equality to those who have no one but us to help.
To our own health and the health of others.
David
Write me at mannagrant@gmail.com to get started today.
I can immediately work with anyone that can legally work in any of these countries, United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Denmark, Germany, South Africa, Austria, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
To understand the business model and the impact that we can have go on to my next blog titled, A New Paradigm for Helping Orphans.
The Vision
Years ago, people died of malnutrition simply because they didn’t know that fruits and vegetables contained the vital vitamins and minerals that our bodies need for good health. And even though we now understand that we need them, not everyone gets the full range of vitamins and minerals that are the building blocks for our minds and our bodies. Even those who can afford and have available the 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables that we need each day, rarely take in those in quantities to ensure good health.
But this isn’t about supplying vital nutrients to those who have them easily available. There are literally millions of people (including widows, orphans, homeless, innercity kids, etc.) that do not have access or can afford to buy that much nutrition in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables. Is there a simple solution to this lack of equality in our world?
YES! It comes in the same way that we would supply a spaceship, concentrated supplements with all of the goodness of shopping carts filled with fruits and vegetables, packed into a bottle that fits in the palm of our hands.
Remarkably, this approach to nutrition is more cost effective than growing gardens in urban jungles nor do we have to deal with the daunting issues of freshness, quality, delivery and storage.
Caring for others and ensuring that everyone is given equal opportunity for healthy minds and bodies is a mandate that we can all take seriously. By simply learning to work together we can see this lived out on a global basis. I have no idea why the powers that be are not doing this today, but I also know that it doesn’t have to be left in the hands of anyone but us. We can make a difference!!!
HOW?
We simply need to do 2 things to make this a reality. Use the most advanced forms of food sourced supplementation available today and combine them with a sustainable means of delivering them to those in need.
WHY SUSTAINABLE?
Good intentions does not make something sustainable. How do we tell a mother with 4 young children that what we started in bringing them health is no longer available because someone has lost their job and can no longer supply the needed supplements? To bring hope and education and then not follow through seems a rather shortsighted gesture.
We need a sustainable plan. Sustainable means creating the necessary funds to ensure ongoing support without the threat of being interfered with by job losses and other priorities replacing the hope that is being provided.
This kind of guarantee of ongoing support needs to be funded through a business model and not a donation model. And this, for many, will be a significant paradigm shift. The time to learn and implement this model will take much less time than it takes to prepare, let alone, plant, weed and harvest a single garden. It simply takes a willingness to try a new approach.
There are 2 requirements that are necessary for this plan to work.
#1 – The desire to see people helped through providing good nutrition.
#2 – The understanding that this is something that needs to be sustainable.
Sustainability
There a 2 types of people that should be involved in the process of sustainability.
95% of these people should simply be good customers and 5% should be business people.
Good Customers: These are people that believe good nutrition is important and understand that it is as important to finish something they have started as it is to start to do a good thing. The simplest way for this to happen is by making enough money from giving this help, to ensure they never have to stop. This is like a sports fisherman that catches enough fish for his family and his neighbours.
Business People: These are people who take this matter of caring to a more developed level. They do this as their main source of income. They look after the good customers, the distribution of the supplements, have decent computer skills and the drive to ensure the ongoing fulfillment of this vision.
Which kind of person are you?
Do you see the vision of caring for others by providing nutrition in the form of supplements?
For those that say yes to this vision, I would suggest that you start as a customer. Begin providing help today by registering as an associate in my business of Mannatech and letting me take care of the details of getting those vital supplements to those in need.
Down the road you may want to learn and do more within the business model but the secret of success in this vision is by simply starting.
My goal will be to help you become sustainable in the giving of this care. Simply help me by sharing this simple means of caring for others once and awhile with some friends that you think would want to do the same thing. I will look after the details and you can rest assured that through this simple form of teamwork that we will bring nutritional equality to those who have no one but us to help.
To our own health and the health of others.
David
Write me at mannagrant@gmail.com to get started today.
I can immediately work with anyone that can legally work in any of these countries, United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Denmark, Germany, South Africa, Austria, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
To understand the business model and the impact that we can have go on to my next blog titled, A New Paradigm for Helping Orphans.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Rumspringa
An interesting view of children deciding for themselves how they want to live out their faith. It kind of reminds me of the father who willingly gave his prodigal son his inheritance. Luke 15
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Did God Really Say?
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say,
Genesis 3:1
Words seem to be important to God. That likely means they should be important to us. With that in mind it seems to me that it might be important to take God at his word. Many people tend to spiritualize God’s word into meanings that are different than they were originally intended. The challenge of course is that when you go down that road we end following the same deception that Adam and Eve faced in the garden.
Here’s a few examples of words that have been radically altered and accepted within many Christian expressions.
Tithe/Storehouse/Food -- Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:10
Original meaning: Tithe – always in food. Storehouse meant a place for keeping food. And in this context, specifically for the widow, orphan, and alien.
Modern meaning: Tithe means money and storehouse means the local church. The food the church provides is not physical but spiritual food ie preaching and teaching.
Talent -- To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Matthew 25:15
Original meaning: a large sum of money
Modern meaning: gifts and abilities
Supplied/Hard Work/Help -- You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak. Acts 20:34,35
Original Meaning: Hard work – physical labor. Supplied – the outcome of working. Help the weak – physical care.
Modern Meaning: studying the bible and providing spiritual nourshment to the weak.
Sabbath: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8
Original meaning: last day of the week from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, a day of rest, a day to celebrate God as our creator, to take time for relationships
Modern meaning: 1st day of the week, all day Sunday, a day to go to a church meeting, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus but not like a yearly anniversary but because of the specific day that it happened on.
Church -- And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Original meaning: the group of people that identify themselves with Jesus as their Lord. Jesus used this word to refer to a singular and specific group.
Modern meaning: a special building that people go to on Sunday, to hear something from the Bible. There is nothing unifying about this usage today.
Did God Really Say?
I’d like to hear of anymore that you can think of. For fun why don’t you do one on the meaning of the bread and the cup that Jesus used at the last supper.
Genesis 3:1
Words seem to be important to God. That likely means they should be important to us. With that in mind it seems to me that it might be important to take God at his word. Many people tend to spiritualize God’s word into meanings that are different than they were originally intended. The challenge of course is that when you go down that road we end following the same deception that Adam and Eve faced in the garden.
Here’s a few examples of words that have been radically altered and accepted within many Christian expressions.
Tithe/Storehouse/Food -- Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:10
Original meaning: Tithe – always in food. Storehouse meant a place for keeping food. And in this context, specifically for the widow, orphan, and alien.
Modern meaning: Tithe means money and storehouse means the local church. The food the church provides is not physical but spiritual food ie preaching and teaching.
Talent -- To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Matthew 25:15
Original meaning: a large sum of money
Modern meaning: gifts and abilities
Supplied/Hard Work/Help -- You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak. Acts 20:34,35
Original Meaning: Hard work – physical labor. Supplied – the outcome of working. Help the weak – physical care.
Modern Meaning: studying the bible and providing spiritual nourshment to the weak.
Sabbath: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8
Original meaning: last day of the week from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, a day of rest, a day to celebrate God as our creator, to take time for relationships
Modern meaning: 1st day of the week, all day Sunday, a day to go to a church meeting, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus but not like a yearly anniversary but because of the specific day that it happened on.
Church -- And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Original meaning: the group of people that identify themselves with Jesus as their Lord. Jesus used this word to refer to a singular and specific group.
Modern meaning: a special building that people go to on Sunday, to hear something from the Bible. There is nothing unifying about this usage today.
Did God Really Say?
I’d like to hear of anymore that you can think of. For fun why don’t you do one on the meaning of the bread and the cup that Jesus used at the last supper.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Road to Destruction
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13,14
This passage is remarkable in that I have always heard it quoted as referring to sin. But the context of this passage, both what precedes and what follows, is Jesus cautioning his listeners about the perils of .... not just any old sin but the most seductive barrier to knowing him, religion.
Think about it. Sin isn't deceptive at all when it comes to anyone thinking that it is a great way to get to heaven. So for Jesus to be talking about sin being a road to heaven doesn't make any sense.
I always thought that the broad path was referring to sin. And quite frankly that interpretation simply shows how deceptive religion really is.
This passage is remarkable in that I have always heard it quoted as referring to sin. But the context of this passage, both what precedes and what follows, is Jesus cautioning his listeners about the perils of .... not just any old sin but the most seductive barrier to knowing him, religion.
Think about it. Sin isn't deceptive at all when it comes to anyone thinking that it is a great way to get to heaven. So for Jesus to be talking about sin being a road to heaven doesn't make any sense.
I always thought that the broad path was referring to sin. And quite frankly that interpretation simply shows how deceptive religion really is.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Publically and From House to House
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 5:41,42
This passage, and many more like it, was the normative life of the early church. Public meetings were not like they are now. Today, we build buildings and open them to the public. Publically, in the early days meant going to where people didn't know Jesus. Sometimes the message was met with great enthusiasm, sometimes it meant getting stoned. All of the apostles experienced stonings, beheadings, imprisonment, and floggings for speaking publically. Very, very few preachers today, truly speak publically. They are usually surrounded by a great throng of admirers saying amen. A visitor is a distinct minority in this not so "public" setting.
Most of the persecution came from religiously minded folk. Stephen was stoned for speaking against the Pharasaical interpretation of the law and their trust in a building, the temple. If you went to any church today and spoke against their building, doctrines or rituals you would get "stoned" as well. Actually we are more civilized here, you would simply get thrown out on your ear or treated with the death of silence called shunning.
So now we have public meetings that aren't really all that public. They are more like a school rally before a football game.
But what about the house to house part. That place where people get to really know each other. That place where love can be lived out. That place where real interactive learning takes place through healthy questions and answers. That place where all 55 of the one anothers in the NT, love one another, encourage one another, provoke one another unto good deeds, etc. is done. That is considered optional at best and practiced by few.
Many Christians today can't imagine gathering without a sacred building as a focal point. The early church couldn't imagine gathering with a sacred building as a focal point.
Jesus said, If they persecuted Me they will persecute you. Who is the "they"? Religious leaders. Non-religious people simply think you are irrelevant.
If you don't think this is true, just tell somebody that their church building does not represent the heart of God. You'll find out very quickly where their passion and their treasure is.
This passage, and many more like it, was the normative life of the early church. Public meetings were not like they are now. Today, we build buildings and open them to the public. Publically, in the early days meant going to where people didn't know Jesus. Sometimes the message was met with great enthusiasm, sometimes it meant getting stoned. All of the apostles experienced stonings, beheadings, imprisonment, and floggings for speaking publically. Very, very few preachers today, truly speak publically. They are usually surrounded by a great throng of admirers saying amen. A visitor is a distinct minority in this not so "public" setting.
Most of the persecution came from religiously minded folk. Stephen was stoned for speaking against the Pharasaical interpretation of the law and their trust in a building, the temple. If you went to any church today and spoke against their building, doctrines or rituals you would get "stoned" as well. Actually we are more civilized here, you would simply get thrown out on your ear or treated with the death of silence called shunning.
So now we have public meetings that aren't really all that public. They are more like a school rally before a football game.
But what about the house to house part. That place where people get to really know each other. That place where love can be lived out. That place where real interactive learning takes place through healthy questions and answers. That place where all 55 of the one anothers in the NT, love one another, encourage one another, provoke one another unto good deeds, etc. is done. That is considered optional at best and practiced by few.
Many Christians today can't imagine gathering without a sacred building as a focal point. The early church couldn't imagine gathering with a sacred building as a focal point.
Jesus said, If they persecuted Me they will persecute you. Who is the "they"? Religious leaders. Non-religious people simply think you are irrelevant.
If you don't think this is true, just tell somebody that their church building does not represent the heart of God. You'll find out very quickly where their passion and their treasure is.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Perfect Storm
Doom and gloom or Understanding our times? John Paul Jackson speaks a timely word to what lies ahead. He calls it the perfect storm.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Churches, Government, Beggars
How are churches and government the same?
They want your money and then expect you to thank them IF they do something for you.
How are churches and beggars different?
Beggars don't expect you to give but if you do they always say thank you.
They want your money and then expect you to thank them IF they do something for you.
How are churches and beggars different?
Beggars don't expect you to give but if you do they always say thank you.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Simplicity - K.I.S.S. Keeping It Simple Sweety
It is not the complexity of the problem but the simplicity of the solution that confounds most people.
A truck driver, with a full load, thought he could get through a low tunnel. He couldn't and became jammed in the tunnel. Professionals came from all over to try and get the truck free but were stymied with the problem. A ten year old boy came by and suggested letting the air out of the tires.
Joseph gathered 20% of the crops during the years of plenty to save his family and the world of his day during the time of famine.
Paul got into the marketplace by making tents giving him opportunities to meet many people and practice caring for the weak. Acts 20:32-35
In Kenya, $100 will buy 4 goats that will create a lifetime of wealth for a family.
In Pakistan, a bicycle can make a huge difference in a family's life.
What other simple solutions are you aware of that can have a profound impact on people's lives?
A truck driver, with a full load, thought he could get through a low tunnel. He couldn't and became jammed in the tunnel. Professionals came from all over to try and get the truck free but were stymied with the problem. A ten year old boy came by and suggested letting the air out of the tires.
Joseph gathered 20% of the crops during the years of plenty to save his family and the world of his day during the time of famine.
Paul got into the marketplace by making tents giving him opportunities to meet many people and practice caring for the weak. Acts 20:32-35
In Kenya, $100 will buy 4 goats that will create a lifetime of wealth for a family.
In Pakistan, a bicycle can make a huge difference in a family's life.
What other simple solutions are you aware of that can have a profound impact on people's lives?
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I Must Decrease - Kingdom Leaders - Oops I Meant Servants
In any kingdom there can only be one king. John the Baptist understood this and that's why he said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30
The world's leadership models demand followers. The greater the leader, the greater the number of followers. But the kingdom does not work on this principle. There is but one king.
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:42-45
In the kingdom a servant's role is to be there to help, then get out of the way. The human condition being what it is, makes it very easy for people to want a king. Hearing is easier than doing. Listening is easier than teaching. Some prefer to be led, some prefer to lead, and yet as brothers and sisters we each have something to contribute.
1 Corinthians 12.
Even Jesus said that it was better that he leave. "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."
John 16:7
Why do we need the Holy Spirit if a leader is there to tell us what to do and what to think?
It is subtly seductive to have people following us. Often times, leaders don't even realize that they have been making disciples after themselves. It has been said that the way to tell if someone is a leader is to see if someone is following him.
And yet the best way to measure the true impact of a servant is by how well people do when they are gone.
Paul said this, "Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears."
Acts 20:30-31
A simple safeguard from making disciples after oneself is to do what Paul did and not become financially dependent on anyone or any group. A golden cage is still a cage. I know it has become normative for some of God's servants to become dependent on other servants and live on their donations, but that doesn't seem to be a reproducible model that can be applied to everyone.
Paul went on to say to this to the pastors of Ephesus,
"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Acts 20:32-35
Here's a simple question. Do children spend money on their father or do fathers spend money on their children to bring them to maturity?
I have often heard leaders trying to get people to do more and give more, not realizing that their physical presence might be causing people to do less.
I think that is why the great commission has the word, Go, in it.
When a leader is more quoted than Jesus or when people can talk more about a teacher's teachings than what Jesus said and did, you know they have made followers after themselves.
Paul gave a strong "warning" to the Corinthians about the problem of following someone,
"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
Just as there are different roles within any family, the goal is that these roles change and each member rises up to their full potential. So it is in the kingdom. Without doubt, we all start out as babes, but we should all rise up to maturity of being fathers and mothers.
We all can rise up like eagles but we must also help baby eagles leave the nest.
The world's leadership models demand followers. The greater the leader, the greater the number of followers. But the kingdom does not work on this principle. There is but one king.
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:42-45
In the kingdom a servant's role is to be there to help, then get out of the way. The human condition being what it is, makes it very easy for people to want a king. Hearing is easier than doing. Listening is easier than teaching. Some prefer to be led, some prefer to lead, and yet as brothers and sisters we each have something to contribute.
1 Corinthians 12.
Even Jesus said that it was better that he leave. "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."
John 16:7
Why do we need the Holy Spirit if a leader is there to tell us what to do and what to think?
It is subtly seductive to have people following us. Often times, leaders don't even realize that they have been making disciples after themselves. It has been said that the way to tell if someone is a leader is to see if someone is following him.
And yet the best way to measure the true impact of a servant is by how well people do when they are gone.
Paul said this, "Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears."
Acts 20:30-31
A simple safeguard from making disciples after oneself is to do what Paul did and not become financially dependent on anyone or any group. A golden cage is still a cage. I know it has become normative for some of God's servants to become dependent on other servants and live on their donations, but that doesn't seem to be a reproducible model that can be applied to everyone.
Paul went on to say to this to the pastors of Ephesus,
"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Acts 20:32-35
Here's a simple question. Do children spend money on their father or do fathers spend money on their children to bring them to maturity?
I have often heard leaders trying to get people to do more and give more, not realizing that their physical presence might be causing people to do less.
I think that is why the great commission has the word, Go, in it.
When a leader is more quoted than Jesus or when people can talk more about a teacher's teachings than what Jesus said and did, you know they have made followers after themselves.
Paul gave a strong "warning" to the Corinthians about the problem of following someone,
"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
1 Corinthians 1: 10-17
Just as there are different roles within any family, the goal is that these roles change and each member rises up to their full potential. So it is in the kingdom. Without doubt, we all start out as babes, but we should all rise up to maturity of being fathers and mothers.
We all can rise up like eagles but we must also help baby eagles leave the nest.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Christian Culture
No doubt, many have been offended by the hypocrisy that is often found amongst Christians. But is it possible that the unique sub-culture that every Christian group eventually develops for themselves, keeps some non-Christians from looking more into the life of Jesus?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Kingdom of God and Money
Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic. It would seem that He said enough on the subject to offend everybody: rich, poor and the simply satisfied.
The New Testament actually contains,
215 Verses Pertaining to Faith
218 Verses Pertaining to Salvation
2,084 Verses Dealing with the Stewardship and Accountability for Money and Finance
16 of Jesus’ 38 Parables Deal with Money
If someone is thirsty give them a drink.
Matthew 25
If someone is your enemy, do good to them.
Mathew 5
Give money to your enemy. (cool promise if you do) Luke 6
He liked the idea of using worldly wealth to make friends. Luke 16
He commended those who made money. 10 minas. Luke 19 talents Matthew 25
He condemned those who hoarded it for themselves. Luke 12
He did not want or need a building to bring the kingdom.
Matthew 8
He told his disciples not to trust in a building.
Matthew 24
Stephen was stoned (at least in part) for mentioning the value they placed on their building.
Acts 7:48,49
The desire to belong to something localized can be (not always) one of the greatest distractions when it comes to the kingdom and the use of money.
God wasn't pleased with a group that decided they needed a building and a name. (for fear of being scattered)
Genesis 11
The great commission has the word GO. Build is not in it.
The only building that God is interested in is the one made of you and me.
1 Peter 2
The apostle Paul applied Jesus' teaching (it is better to give) by telling the elders of Ephesus to work hard as he had done with his own hands and support the weak financially.
Acts 20:32-35
Paul did not condone people becoming dependent on others.
1 Thessalonians 4
Jesus did not come to make servants of God, His royal priesthood, beggars looking for the next offering.
Our goal in handling worldly wealth should be EQUALITY on a global scale.
2 Corinthians 8.
If you haven't been offended by some point on this topic, hmmmmm.
The New Testament actually contains,
215 Verses Pertaining to Faith
218 Verses Pertaining to Salvation
2,084 Verses Dealing with the Stewardship and Accountability for Money and Finance
16 of Jesus’ 38 Parables Deal with Money
If someone is thirsty give them a drink.
Matthew 25
If someone is your enemy, do good to them.
Mathew 5
Give money to your enemy. (cool promise if you do) Luke 6
He liked the idea of using worldly wealth to make friends. Luke 16
He commended those who made money. 10 minas. Luke 19 talents Matthew 25
He condemned those who hoarded it for themselves. Luke 12
He did not want or need a building to bring the kingdom.
Matthew 8
He told his disciples not to trust in a building.
Matthew 24
Stephen was stoned (at least in part) for mentioning the value they placed on their building.
Acts 7:48,49
The desire to belong to something localized can be (not always) one of the greatest distractions when it comes to the kingdom and the use of money.
God wasn't pleased with a group that decided they needed a building and a name. (for fear of being scattered)
Genesis 11
The great commission has the word GO. Build is not in it.
The only building that God is interested in is the one made of you and me.
1 Peter 2
The apostle Paul applied Jesus' teaching (it is better to give) by telling the elders of Ephesus to work hard as he had done with his own hands and support the weak financially.
Acts 20:32-35
Paul did not condone people becoming dependent on others.
1 Thessalonians 4
Jesus did not come to make servants of God, His royal priesthood, beggars looking for the next offering.
Our goal in handling worldly wealth should be EQUALITY on a global scale.
2 Corinthians 8.
If you haven't been offended by some point on this topic, hmmmmm.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Servant Leaders
A popular idea that is often preached from a church pulpit is servant leadership. Those in full time ministry often express this as their heart’s desire. No one seems to see a strange paradox in how this message is practically worked out between parishioners and clergy.
Many Christians are very happy aligning themselves with and paying a minister to preach to them about servanthood. In fact, they are very uncomfortable with someone who doesn’t align themselves with a paid servant of God.
The average Christian makes no money as they serve and are often very committed to the group they are in. Their pastor on the other hand is usually only there because he/she receives a paycheque. If they don’t get paid they move on to a group that is willing to pay them. This is called servant/leadership.
Is it any wonder that those on the outside of the church question the leadership model within the church?
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:42-45
Many Christians are very happy aligning themselves with and paying a minister to preach to them about servanthood. In fact, they are very uncomfortable with someone who doesn’t align themselves with a paid servant of God.
The average Christian makes no money as they serve and are often very committed to the group they are in. Their pastor on the other hand is usually only there because he/she receives a paycheque. If they don’t get paid they move on to a group that is willing to pay them. This is called servant/leadership.
Is it any wonder that those on the outside of the church question the leadership model within the church?
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:42-45
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The Tipping Point
In the book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell, says this, “The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behaviour crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. That’s what I’ve been dreaming about for the past year and a half.
I’m in a network marketing company that sells some really good nutritional supplements. I’ve been in the company for 2 years but didn’t understand network marketing at all when I got in.
Then one day it hit me. This thing I’m in could make a significant difference in the lives of children who simply do not get basic nutrition.
Iron deficiency, the most common form of malnutrition, affects 180 million children under age four. 684,000 child deaths worldwide could be prevented by increasing access to vitamin A and Zinc.
My company makes a great multi-vitamin/mineral that could help these children. Based on a simple business model of exponential growth, 10 million children could receive these multivitamin/minerals in 20 weeks.
How is this done? There are only 3 steps.
STEP 1 Spend $100 a month to purchase 5 bottles of these vitamins and send them wherever they desire. (or ask me where to send them)
STEP 2 Get 2 more people to do the same thing this week.
STEP 3 Help them get their 2 people in the following week. To keep things going each person simply needs to get 2 more people involved. Doubling the number of new people from the previous week.
This model is now reproducible through others and is like a perpetual motion machine. You continue to spend $100 a month but don’t need to recruit anymore people. (unless you want to) You have started the ball rolling and from then are in a business leveraging other people’s time for your financial benefit.
You also have the satisfaction of knowing that more children are being helped than you could have personally helped in a lifetime. If this happened steadily for 20 weeks, 10 million children would receive their vitamins.
This model is sustainable because it is based on business rather than donations.
Why is it sustainable? As soon as a person gets 2 people who get 2 people. 6 in total. The commission for the first person is $100. From then on the commissions grow exponentially. Everyone wins, even the person just starting because they have helped 5 kids immediately.
As it sits right now, the business plan is legit, the need is real, the answer is simple. I’m simply anticipating the tipping point when people catch this idea on mass.
Is there a lot of money to be made through this model? Yes. And the more you make, the more children are helped.
Maybe you’ll take some of the profits and drill water wells or some other humanitarian endeavour. That’s completely up to you.I'm looking forward to you joining me and being part of this dynamic tipping point.
I’m in a network marketing company that sells some really good nutritional supplements. I’ve been in the company for 2 years but didn’t understand network marketing at all when I got in.
Then one day it hit me. This thing I’m in could make a significant difference in the lives of children who simply do not get basic nutrition.
Iron deficiency, the most common form of malnutrition, affects 180 million children under age four. 684,000 child deaths worldwide could be prevented by increasing access to vitamin A and Zinc.
My company makes a great multi-vitamin/mineral that could help these children. Based on a simple business model of exponential growth, 10 million children could receive these multivitamin/minerals in 20 weeks.
How is this done? There are only 3 steps.
STEP 1 Spend $100 a month to purchase 5 bottles of these vitamins and send them wherever they desire. (or ask me where to send them)
STEP 2 Get 2 more people to do the same thing this week.
STEP 3 Help them get their 2 people in the following week. To keep things going each person simply needs to get 2 more people involved. Doubling the number of new people from the previous week.
This model is now reproducible through others and is like a perpetual motion machine. You continue to spend $100 a month but don’t need to recruit anymore people. (unless you want to) You have started the ball rolling and from then are in a business leveraging other people’s time for your financial benefit.
You also have the satisfaction of knowing that more children are being helped than you could have personally helped in a lifetime. If this happened steadily for 20 weeks, 10 million children would receive their vitamins.
This model is sustainable because it is based on business rather than donations.
Why is it sustainable? As soon as a person gets 2 people who get 2 people. 6 in total. The commission for the first person is $100. From then on the commissions grow exponentially. Everyone wins, even the person just starting because they have helped 5 kids immediately.
As it sits right now, the business plan is legit, the need is real, the answer is simple. I’m simply anticipating the tipping point when people catch this idea on mass.
Is there a lot of money to be made through this model? Yes. And the more you make, the more children are helped.
Maybe you’ll take some of the profits and drill water wells or some other humanitarian endeavour. That’s completely up to you.I'm looking forward to you joining me and being part of this dynamic tipping point.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Are You Financially Free or a Slave to Your Job?
(If you haven't read Principle #1 - Equality, read it first. The two principles only make sense when understood as a single unit.)
Desiring financial freedom should not be confused with being satisfied with gold. The streets of heaven will be paved with gold. Being satisfied with pavement is a very sad state of affairs.
Some have erroneously interpreted Paul’s caution to Timothy about desiring money to mean that money is somehow evil.
10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10
But take notice that in this passage Paul isn’t referring to money itself but our desire for it. In other words, when money comes first there is a corruption that inevitably follows. Principle #1 – Equality is a very nice thing to keep in mind as I write about going for the gold. And let's not forget that it is difficult to bring equality to the less fortunate when you have just enough for yourself.
However we shouldn’t fear the effects of money as reflected in this prayer,
God, please don’t let me be so rich that I forget you or so poor that I curse you.
The poorest person can find peace with God and the richest person can be at peace as well. In fact there is no economic situation that can stop someone from knowing and loving God.
My goal is to somehow navigate between the extremes and see what the scriptures teach us about not being consumed by our circumstances, especially in the area of our use of TIME and our willingness to GO.
Abraham is considered the father of our faith. When he was asked to go to a land that he did know, he went. This should be normative for every child of God. When God says go, we go.
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
Genesis 12:1
But here’s what is sometimes forgotten in the equation.
4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Genesis 12:4,5
Abraham didn’t go poor. In fact there were a number of people that had to go with him because they were either indentured servants or slaves. (An indentured servant is a person who willingly gives their time to someone else for an agreed upon price.)
So here is Point #1
Slaves go where their master tells them to go. If Abraham had been a slave or an indentured servant he would not have been able to obey God’s voice.
You need to pause and let this one sink in.
We live in a country of opportunity and freedom that is the envy of most of the world. Our Canadian passport is one of the most sought after passports because it opens more doors for travel than any other passport in the world. And yet, how many Canadians feel free to go wherever and whenever God tells them to?
Something happened in the past two centuries that is different than any time in history. We became indentured servants without knowing it and the cost was to give up our personal freedom, especially in the area of time.
Henry Ford was a genius in creating a system of indentured servants. He paid men $5 a day to work on his production line. He also lowered the daily work day to 8 hours. (This was so he could get 3 shifts out of a 24 hour day.)
Families literally flocked to his factories from all over the country to work for Henry. In so doing, they gave up there personal freedom for about $1,500 a year. A large sum in 1910. Henry is known as the father of modern mass production. He also amassed one of the largest workforces of indentured servants that history had ever seen.
When I left my job at General Motors to go to Bible college a number of eyebrows were raised. How could I leave the security of such a good job?
Years later, I ended up being out of the ministry and my wife and I went to Korea to teach English. After a year, I came back and attended a conference from the organization I had pastored in. I was a little dismayed that they were pushing hard for missions funding. On July 31st of 2001, I knew nothing about teaching English as a second language and on August 28 we were making money and teaching there.
Meanwhile the old paradigm of begging for money to do God's work was alive and well when I arrived home. At the same time, the world is willing to pay for people to come and teach them English with the side affect of sharing our lives with them. I wasn't even financially free, in fact I was a month away from personal bankruptcy, but I was able to go without begging.
It was in Korea that my heart began to yearn to understand business from God's perspective. It wasn't until just recently that God opened my heart and mind to the possibilities that can only come through a business model.
Financially free people never have to ask for money to Go where God wants them to go.
This leads us to Point #2
Security is a myth that is dangled by the few to control the masses. If I said that just a few months ago many would have mocked me. But with the economic meltdown that is happening right now people are shocked to find out that what they had put so much trust in has let them down. Even those with jobs are sitting on pins and needles praying that they won't be next.
The slave has no control over where he goes or what his master decides. A slave’s only hope is that his master is benevolent and makes good decisions.
It has been suggested that immediately following the abolition of slavery in the United States that the slaves’ new freedom made them worse off economically than they had been as slaves. Without the gold, freedom is simply like floating on a raft in the middle of an ocean with no destination in sight.
So how does God speak to his children regarding being slaves.
Paul said, “I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Cor 6:12)
Paul knew freedom. He travelled where he wanted, when he wanted. He not only provided for himself but others.
32"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. Acts 20:32-34
Paul’s business of tent making allowed him to travel where he wanted and when he wanted. Not only that, but it provided for others. Paul did not only talk or pray about equality, he brought it into existence. He was never diminished by doing so. The more he helped others, the more he gained. He really understood the idea of marketplace Christianity. As he ran his business he was able to mix with people and share his faith.
This story is often overlooked by many Christians who are caught in the mindset of being an indentured servant. The idea of rewards for those who increased in wealth and using it for kingdom purposes, like bringing equality, is a mystery and/or perplexes many Christians.
Luke 19:11-26 he tells the parable of the Ten Minas. A mina was equal to about 1/3 of a year’s wages. In this story, one man used the opportunity to make a mina into 10. The only way to do that would have been by using some kind of a business model. Another man made his mina into 5.
We need to pause and listen seriously to what Jesus thought of these two men.
17" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The one with 5 was put in charge of 5 cities.
There were also 7 slaves who went and spent the money on themselves and it was not a good day for them when the master returned.
And then there was the one who hid his mina in the ground.
20"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'
22"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'
24"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.'
25" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'
26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
Luke 19:20-26
It seems in Jesus’ view of the kingdom, the rich do get richer.
Jesus’ encounter with the man who hid his mina leads us to Point #4
With the economic meltdown that is currently happening, are the millionaires of this world really afraid? Is the guy or gal that owns Tim Horton’s afraid. They might not get their biggest profits this year but more than likely they will take their trip to Cancun or Banff just likely they always do.
What I am hearing from many people, Christians and non-Christians who are indentured servants is fear? There is an endless list in the Bible for us to not be afraid and yet many Christians are caught in its vice-like grip.
Even churches are feeling the effects of this downturn. Pastors will be laid off and/or salaries will be decreased. Building programs will be scaled back or stalled altogether. The idea that God gave the vision but our economy determines its outcome is very real. The idea is to hang on until the economy goes back to what it was and we can have our sense of security and then we can move forward with God's vision.
Slaves are always stuck with whatever the circumstances are at the moment.
Interestingly enough, I was talking with a businessman this week and he is planning a significant expansion of his business. For him, this downturn simply means there are more people available to work for him and at a lower wage to boot.
Business people think differently. They are creative and expand when others are like deer caught in the headlights. Successful business people are never motivated by fear. Even if failure does befall them, they don’t shrink away in fear but rather they learn the lesson and continue to seek freedom.
Does that mean that everyone that works for someone else is motivated by fear. Of course not. Many have learned that whatsoever state they are in to be content. Nevertheless, without funds channeling through their lives they to will have to cut back on the number of orphans or widows they are currently caring for. They will miss simple opportunities of doing more and equality in our world will be an unrealized dream.
There are many people who only dream of the opportunities that we as Canadians have. They can’t imagine someone thumbing their nose at simple opportunities that they would literally give their right arm to have. They are the ones who will face the harshest realities of this economic collapse, as help from Canada decreases. There are many people who have been hard working employees and were very generous but even they can’t give what they don’t have.
But I also know many Christians who will be caught in the trap of fear and will not explore business opportunities to overcome their financial distress. They are hoping and praying that their place of employment will survive. They never for a moment consider going after financial freedom and still desire the myth of security. The goal of global equality has never seriously touched their imagination.
Even though their place of security has left them in fear, they will not open their minds to the possibility that perhaps financial freedom might have been a better goal.
While many people were thanking Henry Ford for the opportunity of being able to serve him, Henry travelled where he wanted, lived where he wanted and used his time the way he wanted.
The goals of equality and going for the gold are not exclusive ideas. In fact, they are two sides of the same coin.
Are there business models out there that would allow everyone to enjoy financial freedom and more importantly freedom to go when God says go? Of course there are. Paul had one 2,000 years ago. I’m in one that allows virtually anyone to enjoy personal financial freedom.
We are living in a day when the opportunity to be in business has never been more accessible. The current economic crisis gives us the opportunity to look at the myth of security without the possibility of being equal to the person we work for. Or we can challenge ourselves to step away from the false security of being an indentured servant and become the master of our time and our wealth.
Remarkably, in a time when our governments and corporate leaders are struggling for answers, those who are willing to make a slight adjustment in their goals and aligning themselves with Biblical values of being financially free with the purpose of bringing equality, we can radically impact our world.
If you are free to go when God says GO, you are not an indentured slave. This freedom isn’t even always tied to job security or even having lots of gold but is really tied to a mindset of obedience to God, desiring equality for all and understanding God does not have slaves. We are his children.
Desiring financial freedom should not be confused with being satisfied with gold. The streets of heaven will be paved with gold. Being satisfied with pavement is a very sad state of affairs.
Some have erroneously interpreted Paul’s caution to Timothy about desiring money to mean that money is somehow evil.
10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10
But take notice that in this passage Paul isn’t referring to money itself but our desire for it. In other words, when money comes first there is a corruption that inevitably follows. Principle #1 – Equality is a very nice thing to keep in mind as I write about going for the gold. And let's not forget that it is difficult to bring equality to the less fortunate when you have just enough for yourself.
However we shouldn’t fear the effects of money as reflected in this prayer,
God, please don’t let me be so rich that I forget you or so poor that I curse you.
The poorest person can find peace with God and the richest person can be at peace as well. In fact there is no economic situation that can stop someone from knowing and loving God.
My goal is to somehow navigate between the extremes and see what the scriptures teach us about not being consumed by our circumstances, especially in the area of our use of TIME and our willingness to GO.
Abraham is considered the father of our faith. When he was asked to go to a land that he did know, he went. This should be normative for every child of God. When God says go, we go.
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
Genesis 12:1
But here’s what is sometimes forgotten in the equation.
4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Genesis 12:4,5
Abraham didn’t go poor. In fact there were a number of people that had to go with him because they were either indentured servants or slaves. (An indentured servant is a person who willingly gives their time to someone else for an agreed upon price.)
So here is Point #1
Only a free person can GO
WHERE they want WHEN they want.
WHERE they want WHEN they want.
Slaves go where their master tells them to go. If Abraham had been a slave or an indentured servant he would not have been able to obey God’s voice.
You need to pause and let this one sink in.
We live in a country of opportunity and freedom that is the envy of most of the world. Our Canadian passport is one of the most sought after passports because it opens more doors for travel than any other passport in the world. And yet, how many Canadians feel free to go wherever and whenever God tells them to?
Something happened in the past two centuries that is different than any time in history. We became indentured servants without knowing it and the cost was to give up our personal freedom, especially in the area of time.
Henry Ford was a genius in creating a system of indentured servants. He paid men $5 a day to work on his production line. He also lowered the daily work day to 8 hours. (This was so he could get 3 shifts out of a 24 hour day.)
Families literally flocked to his factories from all over the country to work for Henry. In so doing, they gave up there personal freedom for about $1,500 a year. A large sum in 1910. Henry is known as the father of modern mass production. He also amassed one of the largest workforces of indentured servants that history had ever seen.
When I left my job at General Motors to go to Bible college a number of eyebrows were raised. How could I leave the security of such a good job?
Years later, I ended up being out of the ministry and my wife and I went to Korea to teach English. After a year, I came back and attended a conference from the organization I had pastored in. I was a little dismayed that they were pushing hard for missions funding. On July 31st of 2001, I knew nothing about teaching English as a second language and on August 28 we were making money and teaching there.
Meanwhile the old paradigm of begging for money to do God's work was alive and well when I arrived home. At the same time, the world is willing to pay for people to come and teach them English with the side affect of sharing our lives with them. I wasn't even financially free, in fact I was a month away from personal bankruptcy, but I was able to go without begging.
It was in Korea that my heart began to yearn to understand business from God's perspective. It wasn't until just recently that God opened my heart and mind to the possibilities that can only come through a business model.
Financially free people never have to ask for money to Go where God wants them to go.
This leads us to Point #2
Security does not equal Freedom
Security is a myth that is dangled by the few to control the masses. If I said that just a few months ago many would have mocked me. But with the economic meltdown that is happening right now people are shocked to find out that what they had put so much trust in has let them down. Even those with jobs are sitting on pins and needles praying that they won't be next.
The slave has no control over where he goes or what his master decides. A slave’s only hope is that his master is benevolent and makes good decisions.
It has been suggested that immediately following the abolition of slavery in the United States that the slaves’ new freedom made them worse off economically than they had been as slaves. Without the gold, freedom is simply like floating on a raft in the middle of an ocean with no destination in sight.
So how does God speak to his children regarding being slaves.
Paul said, “I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Cor 6:12)
Paul knew freedom. He travelled where he wanted, when he wanted. He not only provided for himself but others.
32"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. Acts 20:32-34
Paul’s business of tent making allowed him to travel where he wanted and when he wanted. Not only that, but it provided for others. Paul did not only talk or pray about equality, he brought it into existence. He was never diminished by doing so. The more he helped others, the more he gained. He really understood the idea of marketplace Christianity. As he ran his business he was able to mix with people and share his faith.
Jesus himself, put a high value on us increasing in wealth which leads us to Point #3
Wealth Gives Freedom and Authority
Wealth Gives Freedom and Authority
This story is often overlooked by many Christians who are caught in the mindset of being an indentured servant. The idea of rewards for those who increased in wealth and using it for kingdom purposes, like bringing equality, is a mystery and/or perplexes many Christians.
Luke 19:11-26 he tells the parable of the Ten Minas. A mina was equal to about 1/3 of a year’s wages. In this story, one man used the opportunity to make a mina into 10. The only way to do that would have been by using some kind of a business model. Another man made his mina into 5.
We need to pause and listen seriously to what Jesus thought of these two men.
17" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The one with 5 was put in charge of 5 cities.
There were also 7 slaves who went and spent the money on themselves and it was not a good day for them when the master returned.
And then there was the one who hid his mina in the ground.
20"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'
22"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'
24"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.'
25" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'
26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
Luke 19:20-26
It seems in Jesus’ view of the kingdom, the rich do get richer.
Jesus’ encounter with the man who hid his mina leads us to Point #4
We are not to be afraid.
With the economic meltdown that is currently happening, are the millionaires of this world really afraid? Is the guy or gal that owns Tim Horton’s afraid. They might not get their biggest profits this year but more than likely they will take their trip to Cancun or Banff just likely they always do.
What I am hearing from many people, Christians and non-Christians who are indentured servants is fear? There is an endless list in the Bible for us to not be afraid and yet many Christians are caught in its vice-like grip.
Even churches are feeling the effects of this downturn. Pastors will be laid off and/or salaries will be decreased. Building programs will be scaled back or stalled altogether. The idea that God gave the vision but our economy determines its outcome is very real. The idea is to hang on until the economy goes back to what it was and we can have our sense of security and then we can move forward with God's vision.
Slaves are always stuck with whatever the circumstances are at the moment.
Interestingly enough, I was talking with a businessman this week and he is planning a significant expansion of his business. For him, this downturn simply means there are more people available to work for him and at a lower wage to boot.
Business people think differently. They are creative and expand when others are like deer caught in the headlights. Successful business people are never motivated by fear. Even if failure does befall them, they don’t shrink away in fear but rather they learn the lesson and continue to seek freedom.
Does that mean that everyone that works for someone else is motivated by fear. Of course not. Many have learned that whatsoever state they are in to be content. Nevertheless, without funds channeling through their lives they to will have to cut back on the number of orphans or widows they are currently caring for. They will miss simple opportunities of doing more and equality in our world will be an unrealized dream.
There are many people who only dream of the opportunities that we as Canadians have. They can’t imagine someone thumbing their nose at simple opportunities that they would literally give their right arm to have. They are the ones who will face the harshest realities of this economic collapse, as help from Canada decreases. There are many people who have been hard working employees and were very generous but even they can’t give what they don’t have.
But I also know many Christians who will be caught in the trap of fear and will not explore business opportunities to overcome their financial distress. They are hoping and praying that their place of employment will survive. They never for a moment consider going after financial freedom and still desire the myth of security. The goal of global equality has never seriously touched their imagination.
Even though their place of security has left them in fear, they will not open their minds to the possibility that perhaps financial freedom might have been a better goal.
While many people were thanking Henry Ford for the opportunity of being able to serve him, Henry travelled where he wanted, lived where he wanted and used his time the way he wanted.
The goals of equality and going for the gold are not exclusive ideas. In fact, they are two sides of the same coin.
Are there business models out there that would allow everyone to enjoy financial freedom and more importantly freedom to go when God says go? Of course there are. Paul had one 2,000 years ago. I’m in one that allows virtually anyone to enjoy personal financial freedom.
We are living in a day when the opportunity to be in business has never been more accessible. The current economic crisis gives us the opportunity to look at the myth of security without the possibility of being equal to the person we work for. Or we can challenge ourselves to step away from the false security of being an indentured servant and become the master of our time and our wealth.
Remarkably, in a time when our governments and corporate leaders are struggling for answers, those who are willing to make a slight adjustment in their goals and aligning themselves with Biblical values of being financially free with the purpose of bringing equality, we can radically impact our world.
If you are free to go when God says GO, you are not an indentured slave. This freedom isn’t even always tied to job security or even having lots of gold but is really tied to a mindset of obedience to God, desiring equality for all and understanding God does not have slaves. We are his children.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Evangelism or Discipleship?
The great commission is "go and make disciples...teaching them everything I commanded."
When it comes to evangelism most Christians will nod their heads that it is the most important thing in the world to them. Truth be told, very few Christians share their faith with anyone. It's my guess as to why they will give money to an evangelist: it relieves their conscience. And many evangelists will remind Christians that it is their sacred duty to evangelize. That's code for give me your money and I will do your job.
The reality is that evangelists don't want people to evangelize. Hmm, 1.5 billion Christians in the world. Everyone reaches 1 person for Jesus this year. That makes 3 billion. That 3 billion reach 1 person each in the following year. That pretty well covers the entire population of the world. Oops, no more need for an evangelist. Therefore no more money either.
Discipleship is what we have been called to. And even in this calling we don't have to feel some terrible shame. Nor do we have to feel some terrible angst about not doing enough evangelism. It's as simple and difficult as raising a child. Don't do it as some planned activity. "Tonight is discipleship night." It really is more like being friends and sharing things that are important to you.
There is a lot of emphasis on evangelism (especially the fund raising part) and yet the real work is in discipleship. It seems that talking about and giving to evangelism is much easier than loving our neighbor as ourself.
The difference between the two is that evangelism is like making babies whereas discipleship is about fathering/mothering adult children.
The gospel is about living our lives together with Jesus at the centre. We must guard our hearts from turning Jesus it into a ideology to be proclaimed without the reality being part of our daily lives.
How many people should we disciple? If we all cared for 1 or 2 others once in a while, that would get the job done.
When it comes to evangelism most Christians will nod their heads that it is the most important thing in the world to them. Truth be told, very few Christians share their faith with anyone. It's my guess as to why they will give money to an evangelist: it relieves their conscience. And many evangelists will remind Christians that it is their sacred duty to evangelize. That's code for give me your money and I will do your job.
The reality is that evangelists don't want people to evangelize. Hmm, 1.5 billion Christians in the world. Everyone reaches 1 person for Jesus this year. That makes 3 billion. That 3 billion reach 1 person each in the following year. That pretty well covers the entire population of the world. Oops, no more need for an evangelist. Therefore no more money either.
Discipleship is what we have been called to. And even in this calling we don't have to feel some terrible shame. Nor do we have to feel some terrible angst about not doing enough evangelism. It's as simple and difficult as raising a child. Don't do it as some planned activity. "Tonight is discipleship night." It really is more like being friends and sharing things that are important to you.
There is a lot of emphasis on evangelism (especially the fund raising part) and yet the real work is in discipleship. It seems that talking about and giving to evangelism is much easier than loving our neighbor as ourself.
The difference between the two is that evangelism is like making babies whereas discipleship is about fathering/mothering adult children.
The gospel is about living our lives together with Jesus at the centre. We must guard our hearts from turning Jesus it into a ideology to be proclaimed without the reality being part of our daily lives.
How many people should we disciple? If we all cared for 1 or 2 others once in a while, that would get the job done.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Evangelism 101
Can we all be evangelists? 85% of Christians have been saved before they were 18. But what if every adult did win just 2 other adults to Christ. Would that make much of a difference in the kingdom? Let's look at 2 models to see how the numbers work out. Neither model is normative, they are simply used to create discussion.
Model A
A charismatic pastor is able to inspire 100 people to join him in his church planting vision in the first year. This group of people is able to continue to reach others at the rate of 20% per year for 10 years. This growth rate is considered exceptionally good. The church hires staff, builds buildings and has a significant budget. The founding pastor is busy, busy, busy and is being asked by everyone to tell them his secret for such phenomenal success.
Model B
Another lover of God decides to pour his life into 2 people for a year. He disciples them in such a way that they do the same thing in the next year. He continues to work with them but they are the ones actually doing the discipling. He stays in their lives into the third year and is well respected and loved.
These disciples continue in this pattern of reaching out to 2 others. But the one that started this model is not known by most who continue to come to Christ through this model. He continues to work at his “secular” job, take care of his family and whatever else he enjoys doing. He never purposely disciples anyone again and has time for anyone that wants to talk to him.
(This last statement is only said to show the power of exponential growth through simply reaching 2 others. Of course he would reach more than just 2, as would those he discipled.)
In 10 years which model would have produced more people being discipled?
At the end of the 10 year period the pastor from Plan A is well known.
Nobody has heard of the guy that started Plan B.
After 20 years of unprecedented 20% growth, 2,600 people are in the Model A church.
Model B would have reached 2,097,151 in the same 20 years.
In 32 years, 8.5 billion people would have been reached through Model B.
How many people did each person have to reach in Model B?
Yep, it really is this simple. Why is this so hard to believe?
Model A
A charismatic pastor is able to inspire 100 people to join him in his church planting vision in the first year. This group of people is able to continue to reach others at the rate of 20% per year for 10 years. This growth rate is considered exceptionally good. The church hires staff, builds buildings and has a significant budget. The founding pastor is busy, busy, busy and is being asked by everyone to tell them his secret for such phenomenal success.
Model B
Another lover of God decides to pour his life into 2 people for a year. He disciples them in such a way that they do the same thing in the next year. He continues to work with them but they are the ones actually doing the discipling. He stays in their lives into the third year and is well respected and loved.
These disciples continue in this pattern of reaching out to 2 others. But the one that started this model is not known by most who continue to come to Christ through this model. He continues to work at his “secular” job, take care of his family and whatever else he enjoys doing. He never purposely disciples anyone again and has time for anyone that wants to talk to him.
(This last statement is only said to show the power of exponential growth through simply reaching 2 others. Of course he would reach more than just 2, as would those he discipled.)
In 10 years which model would have produced more people being discipled?
Model A
(20% growth per year)
100
120
144
173
208
250
300
360
432
520
Model B
(discipling just 2)
2 + 1 = 3
4 + 3 = 7
8 + 7 = 15
16 + 15 = 31
32 + 31 = 63
64 + 63 = 127
128 + 127 = 255
256 + 255 = 511
512 + 511 = 1023
1024 + 1023 = 2047
(20% growth per year)
100
120
144
173
208
250
300
360
432
520
Model B
(discipling just 2)
2 + 1 = 3
4 + 3 = 7
8 + 7 = 15
16 + 15 = 31
32 + 31 = 63
64 + 63 = 127
128 + 127 = 255
256 + 255 = 511
512 + 511 = 1023
1024 + 1023 = 2047
At the end of the 10 year period the pastor from Plan A is well known.
Nobody has heard of the guy that started Plan B.
After 20 years of unprecedented 20% growth, 2,600 people are in the Model A church.
Model B would have reached 2,097,151 in the same 20 years.
In 32 years, 8.5 billion people would have been reached through Model B.
How many people did each person have to reach in Model B?
2
Yep, it really is this simple. Why is this so hard to believe?
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