Devotionals

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As the offering plate was passed, little Billy poked his buddy and
said, "I got a dollar -- how much did you get?" He needs an
education about the concept of giving.

As a result of our trip to Christian Aid, I need to ask if we can
talk about stewardship of the Lord's money. I believe in the
concept of tithing, not because we have to, but because we want
to. If you are tithing simply because you feel you are obligated,
you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

Now, if you tithe, are you investing God's funds wisely? Chances
are that you may not have thought about it that way. What do you
really know about the finances of that TV ministry to which you
donate? How much of the money is really going into ministry
and how much is going into the pockets of the lead people to
support a lavish life-style? It's your responsibility to know before
you seal that envelope containing your check.

Some ministries like Christian Aid and HCJB Christian Radio
operate on an austere budget that funnels every possible dollar
into actual ministry for reaching the lost of the world for Christ.
It is ministries like this that deserve your support with the Lord's
money -- it is His money, and it is your responsibility to invest it
very carefully where it brings the greatest return. If some folks
invested their personal funds as carelessly as they do the Lord's
money, they'd be broke in a hurry.

I know there are many ministers who feel that ALL the tithe has
to go the local church, but I believe it is a stretch to prove that
with Scripture. If your church is not doing much to win the lost
for Christ either at home or through good missions, should you
give ALL of your benevolence to the church? Is that wisely
investing the Lord's money? On the other hand, if your church is
doing a good job of reaching the lost, is supporting mission
efforts that are effective, then you need to get behind them. You
need to apply some wisdom to the distribution of your giving.

2 Cor. 8:6 (nlt), "So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your
giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to
complete your share in this ministry of giving." Giving is a
ministry in which we can all share, but invest wisely in God's
storehouse -- His bank.

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