Wall Street. The stock market. Like the robot in “Lost in space,” one can almost hear “danger, danger, danger, Will Robinson.” Recession. Recession. Recession. All we hear about is recession. Like Scarlett, I don’t want to think about it today; I’ll think about it tomorrow. Fiddle dee dee.
Truth is, I’m tired about hearing how awful we have it and continued comments to tighten our purse strings. Why? Because most times, when faced with which panic button to pick, I make the wrong choice—and end up paying a heftier price for it. Call me naïve, but I just don’t think we’re in panic mode yet.
I was listening to K-Love, the Christian radio station today. It was their annual pledge drive. Donations were down. They acknowledged that. But rather than sugarcoat it or panic, the DJ went into prayer. He read from the prophet Malachi.
Oh my, I thought. Thou entereth into dangerous territory. See for yourself:
I, the LORD, do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.
Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. But you ask, ”How are we to return?” “Will a man rob God?
Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How do we rob you?” “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the store house, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this”, says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:6-10)
Ya. Ouch. Big time sting. It always stings when the Word of God holds us accountable. Folks don’t like to hear the truth—esp. on the touchy subject of financial giving.
I thought of how “well, I give as I am able” has been a crutch for me. But this has been, for me, often a result of my fear and/or my unwillingness to give God His due, more than a faith-filled response to God’s blessings. I reflected on whether or not God had, in fact, withheld blessings from me due to my financial disobedience. Hard to tell, really. It’s a conversation which is very difficult to hold with oneself.
Then my thoughts wandered off and applied that to other areas of my life. Where else have I been disobedient? Have there been other areas in which I’ve rebelled and not given God His due? Was I able to see where God had withheld blessings from those areas?
In all honesty, I can see a difference when I am stingy with the time spent with God in conversation, study, praise, worship, thanksgiving. I am restless. Sermons are harder to pen. My prayers, I believe, seem less free and effective (if one can really mess that up; it just feels that way). But the more time I spend with God, the more I see His activity and provision in life.
Out of my dry bones comes new life. Out of a measly 20 minutes comes a refreshed spirit. Deep words of encouragement and intercession spring forth. I am able to weather storms better. Disappointment and despair lessen, and hope fills their place. And yes, out of a diminished 401K, comes the trust that there will be enough provision for my old age. Call me naïve, but I’m not going to worry about it. I will deal with it when it gets here; I will adjust and do what I have to do. For God will give me just enough. NO, it will more than enough. Now, I may not be able to travel the world or buy a 1967 Mustang convertible when I retire, but I’ll have food on my table.
So, pfffffffff to you, Ole Recession. I’m not going to let you get me down. And we will do whatever we can to help those who are having trouble due to decreased income. God will provide a way for us to help them, or you if that is the case. (and if it is the case, please, please tell me. I’m really excited about how God is going to use this for His glory. I want to give God opportunities to shower us with His blessings.)
So, panic button, you can just move on out of here. I am not going to give in to fear or doubt. I absolutely positively refuse to stop or decrease giving God His due—especially in this month of Thanksgiving. I will stand up and shout, “God is good; all the time. All the time, God is good.” until I am hoarse.
When Solomon was building the temple, his father David stood up and told the people he was striking the first check to cover expenses. He challenged the leaders to follow suit. Almost immediately, there was such a great response that they actually had to ask folks to stop giving. Now that is what I call a successful building campaign! But this article isn’t about building; it’s about commitment and attitude toward God. It’s about giving Him, what He first gave us. For whatever we do, we do in the name of, to the glory of, in praise of the Lord God Almighty.
“David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly saying, “Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious Name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-14
Everyone who reads this is a leader at St. Paul’s. Join with me, O leader, if you will. Stand firm that the manna God provides for you right here, right now, is enough. See God’s abundance at work in your life and proclaim that portfolio instead of Wall Street’s. Count your blessings, one by one, again and again even when Chicken Little screams over the loudspeaker. Dare to be generous. And while you’re at it, share it with a neighbor. Tell the world what God has done. Stand up amidst all the negativity and spread the Good News.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Pastor Chris