Christian Finances

"The generous soul will be made rich." Proverbs 11:25

We hear so much today about "Christian" finances and what we should be doing with our money. If you have spent any time at all in church you have surely heard that you should be a good steward of your money. This is true, and biblical. However, it is not a the primary goal of the Christian with his money. To be generous with what the Lord has given is spoken of far more often in scripture than being a wise steward. The reason that being a steward is so important, is that if we are not wise with our money, then we will not have any to be generous with.

What is the point of this post? Many of us need to rethink our financial goals and the use of our money. Read through scripture and see all of the verses about being frugal and storing up, and compare them to all of the texts and passages that refer to being generous. See how the first church lived with its possessions. Many try to turn their financial life around, and that is great. The only question left is, what is their goal in doing so? So they can live more comfortably? So they can have more? Or so that they can generously build up the kingdom of heaven by tithing more, helping others in need, and supporting missions.

Mickey Mouse Community Church

I have no clue as to the content of this film. It actually looks like one I very well may watch. However, this article grabbed my attention for other reasons. Secular film companies are now marketing films towards churches? This may be a good thing on one hand, we are a group large enough to be noticed and heard in our society. However, what message are we sending? It appears by this article we have sent the message we are simply looking for morality.

The Walt Disney Co. is marketing "The Greatest Game Ever Played" to faith-based groups even though the film, about Francis Ouimet's improbable win in the 1913

U.S. Open isn't overtly religious.

"Its themes are about family, about not giving up on your dreams, courage," said Dennis Rice, head of publicity at the Walt Disney Studios. "They are very secular virtues, but they also could potentially be Christian virtues."

The views are very secular, but they potentially could be Christian virtues? Can secular virtues be one in the same with Christian virtues? I would propose no, but many Christians might disagree. Romans tells us we have to renew our minds, suggesting that secular thinking may run parallel at times to Christian thinking, but is all the time fundamentally flawed. In what some call the "Christian ghetto" phenomenon, Christians now have a culture all their own. This has been created by Christian becoming an adjective for schools, businesses, music, etc, rather than a noun. We have marketed ourselves this way and are now being marketed to in the same way. One must fear with an article such as this that we have marketed something short of what Christian really is. I may be over-reacting, but it appears we have told the world we want to be just like you only more moral or virtuous. We want our rock music, but with better lyrics. We want our TV sitcoms, but better moral lessons. We want our country clubs, but with less smoking and up front costs, and we will call it a church. It may appear we have won, because Disney is paying attention to Christians, but I fear we have lost. They don't appear to have seen Christ at the center of who we are.

When Reality TV becomes Reality

For our men's bible study last month we read a chapter from John Piper's book "Pierced by the Word" on the use of TV. Some of you may know that Piper chooses not to have a TV in his homw, but his encouragement to all is to fast from TV, or to stop occupying so much of our mind with it. Our discussion went the modesty issues on TV. This artcle from Malaysia brings out the idea that the issue of modesty goes beyond dress to lifestyle.

"These programs that promote extreme behavior should be banned," Harussani Zakaria, a prominent cleric with the Malaysian Council of Muftis, told The Associated Press. "We're supposed to be modest Asian people, but we risk our heritage when we borrow from the West's lifestyle."

Malaysia has one of the Islamic world's most modern and open societies, though officials have long warned that the popularity of American movies, TV shows and music could contribute to sexual indecency, decreased piety among youths and other social ills.

This comes from a Muslim nation, with no fear of the One True Living God, and yet they see the dangers of certain TV shows, particularly anything from our culture, on the entire lifestyle. I admitt, that I need to re-think some of my own habits. We become numb sometimes to things that are socially accepted here in the States, and we fail to see the damage it has on our life, thinking, and godliness. If those in Malaysia worry about risking their heritage, should we as Christians be worried about risking our heritage? We entertain ourselves with the extreme, and it becomes common. We call it reality TV, but do we want it to become a reality in our life? Maybe Piper's TV fast is long over due for many of us.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Col. 3:1-2)

Interesting Anderson Factoid

Today, while dining at Anderson's finest restaurant, Real Hacienda, with Joe Price and Steve Brooks, I happened to notice a rather large man sitting eating at the booth just down from us. On the way out I also noticed he was wearing Anderson University athletic shorts. So I decided that being the extrovert that I am, I would introduce myself. His name, Roosevelt Potts, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts. He is now coaching for the Ravens and living in town. He asked me if I play golf and we talked a little about that.

After I left, I gave Steve a hard time about walking by and not talking to Roosevelt, and then debated on whether or not to go back inside and give him my business card and see if he wanted to tee it up sometime. I was afraid I would seem like a stalker, so I just drove off. Who says Anderson is not an exciting place to live!

Philosophy of Youth Ministry

I came across this brief response by Voddie Baucham through a link from a friend. Much of what is said here goes right in line with many of the views I recently taught concerning the local church. We must see ourselves as one body, each needing the other. We must grow close to one another and allow ourselves to be dependent on one another. We can segregate in many different way besides youth though. We can offer services for those that prefer Saturday night rather than Sunday morning. We can offer different services based upon your worship style. I have not moved to a fully integrated worship approach, because I do feel that children need to be taught on their level. However, when groups begin getting an entire identity of their own within the church, a line vital to the biblical church has been crossed.

Q. Do you do church youth services?

A. Church “youth services (i.e. separate Wednesday night services for students) are a method of congregational segregation. They are a very common practice, but not a very biblical one. In fact, one would be hard pressed to demonstrate that they are not completely unbiblical. Rather than elaborate here, allow me to send you to a website that addresses this issue head on in a very cogent manner. Hope Chapel Christian fellowship in Sacramento, California has a revolutionary view on youth ministry, which I happen to share (see http://www.hopechapel.cc/). I warn you, this is a complete departure from the contemporary view of “youth ministry. Look at their philosophy of age integration, as well as their philosophy of youth ministry.

This is not to say that I am opposed to the occasional youth event (conferences, seminars, etc.). These can be valuable tools that address specific issues which young people uniquely encounter. The same can be said for a men’s conference or a women’s conference. There is a time and a place for such events. This, however, is much different than a philosophy that consistently segregates one part of a body of believers from the rest of its members. That is the practice with which I take issue. That is the practice that sends families to church in different cars, and essentially under different pastoral leadership.

Going for the Record

I was listening to a Christian radio broadcast in the car yesterday, when I heard the DJ say someone in Indiana was going to attempt to break the record for the longest sermon. The title is linked to the website. I have heard of churches doing shameless things before to try and get people excited about church, or trick them into hearing the gospel. However, this one really seemed to get under my skin. Isn't preaching more sacred than this? Isn't there too much at stake? Isn't the gospel too precious to simple try to use it to break some record? What is the goal of preaching? It must be to glorify God. The secondary goal must be to make clear the word of God so that impacts the lives of those who hear. What is the goal of hearing preaching? To hear the word of God, to see God glorified, and to be changed by the Holy Spirits aid.