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Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (The Message)
The story is told of two gentleman that grew up in a small town in the plains of the USA. Both men were well known in the small town where they lived. One was very rich. He drove the finest cars, his ranch had many acres of wheat and cattle, and the equipment he owned was always the latest model. He never married and lived alone in a huge home on top of a hill outside town. His home was clearly visible to any who would pass by.
The other gentleman lived on a modest ranch. While he had many acres of land his equipment was old and would often break down. He had several children of his own but most of the kids in town called him ‘dad’. It seems there was always a party going on at his modest home with lots of laughing and games and fun!
One day both men fell seriously ill. The wealthy man lay in bed for days until finally, he died. No one found him for months because they seldom saw him around town anyway. The second man was showered with concern and prayers. His chores were gladly taken care of by his children and those in town.
A few days after the first gentleman died there was a small funeral at the local church. Years later, when the second man died the entire town turned out to honor the life of this man. What was the difference between the men? Both men were very wealthy financially, but the difference between the two men is that the first person invested all of his time in making more money, having the newest gadgets and making a ‘name for himself.’
The second man invested his life in relationships. While he could have spent his money on himself, he was far more concerned about helping others and sharing what he had with others.
Solomon, in his wisdom tells each of us to invest the things God has given us in the lives of others. Status, homes, toys and healthy retirement accounts will all come to an end. The things we do to invest in relationships will last for eternity.
PRAYER: Father God, I thank you that I am so blessed. I don’t have much money. I’m not world famous by any means. But you’ve given me life! Help me to see ways in which I can share what you have given me with others. In Jesus name, Amen.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts 2:44-45
“Where do you go to church?” Unfortunately the answer to this question immediately labels you in some people’s minds. We judge a person’s character, religious beliefs and morals on the name in front of a building!
The greatest period of ‘church growth’ was when it first began. Read about it in the second chapter of Acts. Literally thousands of people were added to the church daily. People who were tired of religion the way it was, people who were struggling in relationships, people who had heard of God but had no idea that He loved them and forgave them of the bad choices in their lives.
The real church isn’t a building, it’s people. If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, you don’t go to church, you ARE the church! A defining characteristic of the church (the body of Jesus followers) is that they were of one mind. There was only one goal in the early church and that was to tell others of Jesus forgiveness and love. There were no denominations. There was no discussion of the theology behind baptism or scriptural interpretation or worship styles. There was only Jesus.
The method of church growth was simple as well. No fancy programs. No seminars on how to reach other people. No discussion on how to be a seeker church. There was only generosity in the name of Jesus. The motto of the early church could very well have been “All that I have is God’s therefore I will share it with you!”
People didn’t join the church because they were able to jump through a bunch of denominational or doctrinal hoops. They didn’t join because they realized they were hopeless sinners. They joined the church because it was the one group that gave them the love, compassion and physical, emotional and spiritual help they needed. And they found all they needed in Jesus.
If you love Jesus, if you have experienced the healing, comfort and forgiveness only found in relationship with Him, you are a member of the body of Christ, or what we call the church. Don’t go to church; take the church with you into every situation you find yourself in. People may go to a building because you invite them, but they will join the church because you love them and show them Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I pray that you would forgive those of us who claim to follow you for seeing church as a building or an activity. Instill in me, and my fellow disciples, the realization that church is an organism and not an organization. Help us to show Your great, undying love to those around us so that they can become one with us. In your name I pray, Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 