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MarkupÔB  ÔÔ ÿ ÔÔ  Ô2 ÿÿ0CommentÔB  Ô:;<=>?@A ÿÿ35;AGMSY_11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.<þ6X9`(‹Courier New%ä2¼A`‹Arial3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)mi)(‚3‹Á$££Ý ƒïL!ÝÑTRXè3Ø' Letter FeedXà3Ø' Letter3Ø' Letter Feedÿ3Ø'LetterTÑÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ݃Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(‚3‹Á$¢¢Ý ƒïL!ÝÑTRXè3Ø' Letter FeedXà3Ø' Letter3Ø' Letter Feedÿ3Ø'LetterTÑÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óÝ ƒïL!ÝÑTRXè3Ø' Letter FeedXà3Ø' Letter3Ø' Letter Feedÿ3Ø'LetterTÑÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMarch€20,€2005Ð ° ÐÌà  àChurch€leaders,€members,€and€people€who€teach€financial€stewardship€tend€to€view€theÐ ˆØ Ðrelationship€between€financial€giving€and€worship€in€two€different€ways.€Some€churches€try€toÐ tÄ Ðavoid€any€mention€of€money€during€worship.€Some€services€no€longer€pass€offering€plates€during€Ð `° Ðworship.€They€put€a€basket€in€the€foyer€or€at€the€back€of€the€sanctuary.€People€put€their€money€inÐ L œ Ðthe€box€before€or€after€worship.€€Such€a€practice€separates€money€raising€from€Godððs€call€toÐ 8 ˆ ÐChristian€stewardship.€€Ð $ t ÐÌà  àRev.€Bill€Couch,€from€Lake€Ridge€United€Methodist€Church€says,€€"I€think€that€notÐ ü L  Ðpassing€the€offering€plate€is€a€gross€misunderstanding€of€what€the€offering€is.ðð€€It€is€anÐ è 8  Ðopportunity€symbolize€our€returning€gifts€to€God€as€an€act€of€worship.€As€we€pray,€sing,€readÐ Ô$  ÐScripture,€and€hear€preaching€as€an€act€of€worship."€Ð À  ÐÌà  àWhether€we€take€the€offering€at€the€door,€as€we€do€in€the€9:00€service€of€worship,€or€passÐ ˜è  Ðthe€offering€plates,€as€we€do€in€this€service,€our€church€seeks€to€help€us€put€God€first€in€all€areasÐ „Ô  Ðof€our€lives.Ð pÀ ÐÌÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð 4„ ÐÐ   p ÐÔ‡/Xâ@XXXÔStewardship€minute€May€29,€2005€&€November€20,€2005,€€January€8,€2006,€February€4,€2006Ð ° ÐÌà  àOver€the€years,€we€have€come€to€think€of€giving€as€an€act€of€charity.€€It€is€good€to€share€aÐ ˆØ Ðportion€of€our€financial€resources€with€those€less€fortunate€than€ourselves.€€There€is€nothingÐ tÄ Ðwrong€with€charitable€giving.€€In€fact€all€Americans€should€be€encouraged€to€give€more€toÐ `° Ðcharity.€€But€charity€is€a€particular€kind€of€giving.€€Charity€is€giving€after€all€your€own€needs€haveÐ L œ Ðbeen€met.€€Charity€is€giving€out€of€what€is€left€over.€€Christian€giving€on€the€other€hand€is€an€actÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€devotion€rather€than€an€act€of€charity.€This€devotional€giving€comes€up€front€as€an€act€ofÐ $ t Ðthanksgiving€not€at€the€end€out€of€what€is€left€over.Ð  ` ÐÔ#†Xâ@XX/Xâ@P#ÔÔ‡/Xâ@XXXâ@ÔÌTaking€the€"stew"€out€of€stewardship€requires€that€we€first€give€devotionally.€€We€will€alwaysÐ è 8  Ðmiss€resources€we€intended€to€use€ourselves.€€We€will€sometimes€worry€that€our€giving€may€haveÐ Ô$  Ðgone€to€those€who€are€unworthy.€€But€devotion€to€the€God€who€made€us€and€claims€us€means€weÐ À  Ðwill€be€true€to€returning€a€portion€Ô#†Xâ@XX/Xâ@ #Ôof€what€God€blesses€us€with€to€live€Ô‡0Xâ@XXXâ@Ôas€God's€chosen€ones,€holyÐ ¬ü  Ðand€beloved,€clothe€with€compassion,€kindness,€humility,€meekness,€patience€and€Ô#†Xâ@XX0Xâ@î #ÔChristianÐ ˜è  Ðstewardship.Ð „Ô  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€your€devotional€giving.Ð \¬ ÐÌÐ  4„ ÐÌÌÌ(Sermon€by€Rev.€Bill€Couch,€January€2002;€Lake€Ridge€United€Methodist€Church,€Lubbock,Ð tÄ ÐTexas).€Couch's€state-meat€stands€on€a€firm€biblical€foundation.€Scripture€provides€no€rationaleÐ `° Ðfor€excluding€offerings€from€worship€or€for€feeling€apologetic€about€receiving€offerings€duringÐ L œ Ðworship€services.€Just€the€opposite!€In€twenty-five€places€throughout€the€spiritual€history€in€itsÐ 8 ˆ Ðpages,€the€Bible€equates€financial€giving€to€God€with€worshiping€God.Ð $ t ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð ü L  ÐÐ  è 8  ÐApril€3,€2005à ` àÐ ° ÐÌà  àJesus€said€he€came€that€we€might€have€life€(John€10:10).€He€did€not€say€that€he€came€soÐ ˆØ Ðthat€we€can€have€religion.€He€did€not€even€say€that€he€came€so€that€we€can€give€offerings€toÐ tÄ Ðsupport€churches.€Jesus€came€with€the€good€news€that€God€seeks€each€of€us,€asks€us€toÐ `° Ðwholeheartedly€put€God€first€in€our€lives,€and€promises€positive€benefits€from€such€a€life€focus.Ð L œ ÐThat€is€the€prime€purpose€of€giving€our€money€to€God€in€worship€-€not€merely€so€that€the€churchÐ 8 ˆ Ðcan€pay€its€bills€or€accomplish€ministries€but€so€that€we€do€not€put€something€else€first,€ahead€ofÐ $ t Ðthe€God€who€can€give€us€life€that€is€abundant€and€whole.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àDo€your€church€leaders€view€the€offering€as€a€necessary€evil?€Have€they€reduced€thisÐ è 8  Ðawesome€opportunity€to€a€routine€"passing€the€plate"€to€pay€the€church's€hills?€Do€you€sometimesÐ Ô$  Ðhear€remarks€such€as,€"We€wish€we€didn't€have€to€do€this;€but€after€all,€it€takes€money€to€run€theÐ À  Ðchurch"?Ð ¬ü  Ðà  àSuch€quips€have€no€place€in€congregations€that€gather€to€worship€the€God€of€Abraham,Ð ˜è  ÐIsaac,€and€Jesus.€Scripture€views€the€offering€as€an€essential€element€in€authentic€worship.€WhenÐ „Ô  ÐGod's€people€lay€their€financial€gifts€on€the€"worth-ship"€of€God€in€their€lives€in€a€mannerÐ pÀ Ðunequaled€by€other€parts€of€the€service.€Even€if€your€church's€operating€budget€were€fullyÐ \¬ Ðendowed,€you€would€still€need€to€take€an€offering€at€every€worship€service.€Without€an€offering,Ð H˜ Ðyou€park€the€train€on€a€side€track,€robbing€people€of€an€opportunity€to€spiritually€connect€withÐ 4„ ÐGod.Ð  p ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð øH ÐÐ  ä4 ÐNovember€13€or€20,€2005à  àAt€Thanksgiving€time€each€fall€many€Americans€remember€howÐ ° Ðrich€they€are€in€comparison€to€a€large€percentage€of€the€globe's€population.€Even€the€11.7€percentÐ œì Ðof€United€States€citizens€who€live€below€the€poverty€level€(an€average€of€$18,l04€annual€incomeÐ ˆØ Ðfor€a€family€of€four€according€to€the€2001€income€and€poverty€statistics€from€the€U.S.€CensusÐ tÄ ÐBureau,€the€most€recent€available)€enjoy€a€level€of€wealth€beyond€the€imagination€of€the€majorityÐ `° Ðof€this€planet's€occupants.Ð L œ Ðà  àPeople€respond€to€that€recognition€of€their€wealth€with€one€of€two€attitudes,€both€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðwhich€are€reported€in€Scripture.€Some€people€say,€""My€power€and€the€might€of€my€own€handÐ $ t Ðhave€gotten€me€this€wealth."€Others€say,€"Remember€that€it€is€the€LORD€your€God€who€givesÐ  ` Ðyou€the€power€to€become€rich"€(Deuteronomy€8:17-18).Ð ü L  Ðà  àOne€of€these€attitudes€is€Christian€thankfulness.€The€other€is€secular€"self-fullness."Ð è 8  ÐWhich€attitude€does€your€financial€giving€reflect?Ð Ô$  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌJanuary€1,€2006Ð  p ÐÔ‡/Xâ@XXXâ@ÔÌOver€the€last€6€months€Trinity€United€Methodist€Church€has€bee€involved€in€a€program€of€€takingÐ øH Ðthe€"stew"€out€of€stewardship.€€We€have€been€moving€from€charity€giving€€into€devotional€giving.€Ð ä4 ÐThere€is€nothing€wrong€with€charitable€giving.€Ô#†Xâ@XX/Xâ@'#ÔÔ‡/Xâ@XXXâ@ÔCharity€is€giving€after€all€your€own€needs€haveÐ Ð  Ðbeen€met.€€Charity€is€giving€out€of€what€is€left€over.Ô#†Xâ@XX/Xâ@ƒ#ÔÔ‡/Xâ@XXXâ@Ô€But€devotional€giving€comes€up€front€as€anÐ ¼  Ðact€of€thanksgiving€not€at€the€end€out€of€what€is€left€overÔ#†Xâ@XX/Xâ@? #ÔÔ‡/Xâ@XXXâ@Ô€to€the€God€who€made€us€and€claims€us.Ð ¨ø ÐWe€return€a€portion€Ô#†Xâ@XX/Xâ@ü #ÔÔ‡/Xâ@XXXâ@Ôof€what€God€blesses€us€with€to€live€Ô#†Xâ@XX/Xâ@!#ÔÔ‡0Xâ@XXXâ@Ôas€God's€chosen€ones.€€Devotional€givingÐ ”ä Ðis€clothe€with€compassion,€kindness,€humility,€meekness,€patience€and€Ô#†Xâ@XX0Xâ@ó!#ÔÔ‡/Xâ@XXXâ@ÔChristian€stewardship.Ð €Ð ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€your€devotional€giving.Ð X ¨ ÐÌÔ#†Xâ@XX/Xâ@¸"#ÔÐ  0"€  ÐJune€5,€2005,€&€January€8,€2006Ð ° ÐÌÔ‡¼¯$»XXâ@ÔA€beautiful€three-panel€stained-glass€window€in€the€fellowship€hall€of€anotherÐ ˆØ Ðchurch€depicts€Jesus€with€a€staff€in€one€hand€and€a€lamb€in€the€other.€At€theÐ šê Ðbottom€of€one€stained-glass€panel€are€these€words:€"Your€Works€Still€Live."Ð ¬ü ÐBelow€the€inscription€is€a€woman's€name.Ð ¾  Ðà  àThat€window€illustrates€the€primary€point€of€every€speaker€who€urgesÐ Ð  Ðpeople€to€give€to€an€endowment€fund.€Their€money€becomes€a€gift€that€never€stopsÐ â 2 Ðgiving.€Their€money€helps€support€ministries€that€assure€that€Jesus'€works€stillÐ ô D Ðlive.€Endowment€gifts€are€an€eternal€memorial€to€the€life€values€and€ideals€ofÐ V  Ðdonors.€Endowment€gifts€allow€God's€stewards€to€extend€the€benefit€of€theseÐ h  Ðconvictions€beyond€their€lifetime.€Yet€the€same€applies€when€we€put€a€check€in€theÐ *z  Ðoffering€plate€each€Sunday.€Where€could€we€possibly€find€a€better€investmentÐ <Œ  Ðopportunity?Ð Nž  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð r ÐÔ#†Xâ@X»¼¯$¿##ÔÐ  „Ô ÐÌÌApril€10,€2005,€Ô_Ô&Ô_Ô€€May€7,€2006€€Stewardship€MinuteÐ ˆØ ÐÌà  àChristian€stewardship€uses€the€life€God€gave€you€for€God's€purposes.€Your€money€is€aÐ `° Ðtangible€extension€of€that€life.€God€does€not€so€much€call€you€to€give€your€money€as€to€giveÐ L œ Ðyourself.€Yet€genuinely€giving€yourself€always€involves€giving€that€financial€extension€of€whoÐ 8 ˆ Ðyou€are.Ð $ t Ðà  àThe€dictionary€says€that€stewardship€means€management.€If€you€call€yourself€Christian,Ð  ` Ðyou€are€in€charge€of€managing€God's€financial€resources.€If€you€view€your€resources€as€"mine,"Ð ü L  Ðyou€will€find€it€difficult€to€give€money€to€God's€ministries.€If€you€see€your€money€as€God'sÐ è 8  Ðresources,€you€can€decide€much€more€easily€how€much€to€give€to€God's€ministries€through€ourÐ Ô$  Ðcongregation€that€is€God's€congregation.Ð À  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð ˜è  ÐÐ  „Ô  ÐÌÌÌà  àStewardship€is€not€just€an€opportunity€to€enter€into€God's€service€but€an€opportunity€forÐ tÄ ÐGod€to€enter€into€you.€Thus,€the€foundational€challenge€of€stewardship€education€is€not€gettingÐ `° Ðpeople€to€give€their€money.€Rather,€the€challenge€is€helping€people€understand€that€if€theyÐ L œ Ðgenuinely€give€themselves€to€God,€their€money€is€not€their€money.€It€is€God's€money.€TheyÐ 8 ˆ Ðmanage€it;€they€do€not€own€it.€So€their€role€as€a€responsible€manager€involves€deciding€how€toÐ $ t Ðinvest€God's€money€in€something€that€accomplishes€God's€eternal€purposes€in€God's€world,€God'sÐ  ` Ðpeople,€and€themselves.Ð ü L  ÐÌÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð À  ÐÐ  ¬ü  Ðà  àIn€an€old€story€about€a€king€with€four€daughters,€the€king€wanted€to€learn€which€one€wasÐ ° Ðwise€enough€to€succeed€him€on€the€thrown.€He€told€the€girls€he€was€going€away€for€several€years,Ð œì Ðand€he€was€entrusting€to€each€of€them€a€special€gift€that€would€help€them€rule€while€he€was€gone.Ð ˆØ ÐTt€was€a€mystery€gift.€Each€one€was€to€decide€what€to€do€with€it.€Asking€them€to€hold€out€theirÐ tÄ Ðhands,€he€gave€each€girl€a€grain€of€rice.Ð `° Ðà  àThe€first€daughter€wrapped€a€golden€thread€around€the€important€grain€of€rice€and€put€itÐ L œ Ðinto€a€crystal€box.€Each€day€she€took€it€out€and€looked€at€it.€The€second€daughter€decided€to€keepÐ 8 ˆ Ðher€grain€of€rice€safe€by€storing€it€in€a€wooden€box€under€her€bed.€The€third€daughter€decided€thatÐ $ t Ðher€grain€of€rice€looked€like€every€other€grain€of€rice€and€couldn't€be€worth€much,€so€she€blew€itÐ  ` Ðoff€of€her€hand€and€never€thought€any€more€about€it.€The€fourth€girl€gave€the€grain€of€rice€seriousÐ ü L  Ðthought€for€a€year,€until€she€finally€saw€what€she€should€do€with€it.Ð è 8  Ðà  àWhen€the€king€returned€several€years€later,€he€asked€his€four€daughters€what€they€hadÐ Ô$  Ðdone€with€their€grain€of€rice.€Each€girl€reported€in,€describing€her€reasoning€behind€how€she€hadÐ À  Ðhandled€the€gift.€The€father€graciously€accepted€the€first€three€explanations.€The€fourth€daughterÐ ¬ü  Ðsaid,€"I€finally€realized€the€meaning€of€the€grain€of€rice.€It€was€a€seed.€So€I€planted€it€and€grewÐ ˜è  Ðmore€seeds.€Then€I€planted€those€and€I€harvested€the€crop.€Come€and€look€at€the€results."€TakingÐ „Ô  Ðthe€king€to€a€nearby€window,€she€pointed.€As€far€as€the€eye€could€see,€fields€of€rice€grew,€enoughÐ pÀ Ðto€feedthousands€of€contemporary€congÐ \¬ Ѐtheir€small€country.€The€father,€seeing€her€wisdom,€chose€her€to€succeedabiding€by€the€idea.)Ð H˜ Ðhim€in€ruling€the€kingdom.€Ð 4„ ÐÌÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð øH ÐÐ  ä4 ÐApril€24,€2005Ð ° Ðà  àA€newspaper€story€reported€that€an€architect€had€envisioned€and€accomplished,€with€theÐ œì Ðhelp€of€twenty€thousand€people,€the€construction€of€twelve€miles€of€sand€castles€along€theÐ ˆØ ÐCalifornia€coast-all€the€way€from€Redondo€Beach€to€Marina€Del€Rea.€The€plethora€of€sandÐ tÄ Ðcastles,€moats,€pyramids,€and€statues€began€rising€on€Sunday€morning,€was€completed€byÐ `° Ðmidment€afternoon,€and€disappeared€with€the€tide€in€late€afternoon.€When€someone€asked€theÐ L œ Ðarchitect€why€he€organized€this€effort,€he€replied€that€it€is€the€only€thing€you€can€see€in€itsÐ 8 ˆ Ðbeginning,€middle,€and€end€all€in€one€day.Ð $ t Ðà  àChristian€stewardship€achieves€the€opposite€result.€Money€given€to€help€accomplishÐ  ` ÐGod's€purposes€never€quits€having€an€impact.€You€may€see€its€beginning€and€a€little€of€its€middle,Ð ü L  Ðbut€you€never€see€its€end-not€in€a€day,€a€year,€or€a€century.€Do€you€want€to€invest€your€money€inÐ è 8  Ðsomething€that€counts€and€something€that€lasts?€Where€can€you€go€for€a€better€deal€than€to€God?Ð Ô$  ÐÌThe€Ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð ¬ü  ÐÐ  ˜è  ÐÝ‚.ßÕÿÝò òòòÝ  ÝÝ‚.ßÕp>Ýà@ÒÒ!ìàÔ  ÔÝ  ÝStewardship€Minute݃.ßÕp>‘>ÝÔ ò ¶>ÔŒˆÐ ° ÐŒó óóóÝ  Ýà@óó%ìàMay€8,€2005ˆÐ ` ÐÌà  àA€pastor€asked€a€successful€retired€businessman€who€had€just€committed€himself€toÐ è8 Ðgiving€$100,000€to€a€great€cause€in€his€church,€"Are€you€comfortable€with€our€publicizing€thisÐ Ô$ Ðgift,€or€would€you€prefer€that€it€remain€anonymous?"€The€old€man€thought€a€moment€and€said,Ð À  Ð"My€name€is€not€important,€however€might€be€good€to€let€people€know€about€the€gift.€Perhaps€itÐ ¬ ü Ðwill€motivate€some€of€them€to€consider€giving€such€gifts."Ð ˜ è ÐÌà  àThat€wise€remark€stands€on€the€solid€rock€of€biblical€evidence.€Again€and€againÐ p À  Ðthroughout€its€pages€the€Bible€illustrates€that€oneððs€positive€behavior€increases€the€likelihood€ofÐ \¬  Ðpositive€behavior€by€other€people.€This€principle€repeatedly€plays€out€on€the€stage€ofÐ H˜  Ðcontemporary€giving€habits.€People€who€give€money€to€God€not€only€accomplish€God's€goals€butÐ 4„  Ðalso€influence€spiritual€growth€in€other€people€who€decide€to€give€by€following€a€leadershipÐ  p  Ðexample.Ð  \  ÐÌThe€Ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð ä4 ÐÐ  Ð  ÐJanuary€1,€2006Ð ° ÐÌà  àSomeone€once€said€that€the€lives€of€people€in€our€culture€are€guided€by€three€questions:Ð ˆØ ÐSo€what?€Who€cares?€How€can€I€get€mine?€Someone€else€claimed€that€that€is€not€accurate€butÐ tÄ Ðthat€people€live€by€these€three€questions:€Is€it€easy?€Is€it€fun?€What's€in€it€for€me?Ð `° ÐÌà  àNeither€of€those€cynics€accurately€describes€the€thinking€and€behavior€of€vast€numbers€ofÐ 8 ˆ ÐAmericans.€Philanthropic€giving€has€steadily€increased€for€several€decades.€The€incredibleÐ $ t Ðresponse€to€natural-€and€criminal-created€disasters€indicates€that€far€more€selfless€motives€driveÐ  ` Ðmuch€human€behavior.€The€September€11,€2001,€disaster€in€New€York€City€and€the€hurricaneÐ ü L  Ðseason€in€2005€is€a€fresh€indicator€of€this€phenomenon..€The€generous€giving€of€people€to€assistÐ è 8  Ðthose€affected€by€that€tragedy€inclined€many€people€to€give,€not€just€to€that€cause€but€to€otherÐ Ô$  Ðworthy€causes.Ð À  Ðà  àPeople€are€not€basically€selfish.€They€are€basically€compassionate€and€generous.€WhenÐ ¬ü  Ðwe€see€compassion€and€generosity€in€others,€we€are€more€likely€to€find€it€in€ourselves.Ð ˜è  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð pÀ ÐÐ  \¬ ÐÑe°ÑDecember€25,€2005€&€Ô_ÔJanuary€15,€2006Ô_ÔÐ e ÐÌJohn€Wesley's€theology€of€stewardship€encouraged€Methodists€to€work€with€diligence€andÐ =Ø Ðdiscipline€to€make€money€but€live€on€as€little€as€possible.€Wesley€set€an€example€with€his€ownÐ )Ä Ðlife.€His€inexpensive,€simple€living€was€counter„cultural€in€his€era..€Wesley€adamantly€instructedÐ ° Ðhis€followers€to€give€as€generously€as€possible€to€the€poor€from€the€money€they€saved€by€frugalÐ  œ Ðliving.€In€this€practice,€as€in€so€many€other€ways,€Wesley€lived€out€biblical€thought€and€practice.€€Ð í ˆ ÐÌThis€life€we€hold€is€a€sacred€trust€from€our€God.€€This€life€we€live€ultimately€will€reflect€the€faithÐ Å ` Ðwe€have€in€Jesus€our€Lord€and€Savior.€This€life€hold€continues€with€the€blessing€of€Godððs€mightyÐ ± L  ÐSpirit.€Give€thanks€now€with€your€tithes,€praise€gifts€and€obligation€offerings.Ð  8  ÐÌÌÌÌÐ  9Ô  ÐStewardship€Minute€€„€€€May€29,€2005Ð e ÐÌà  àThe€father€of€the€United€Methodist€Church,€John€Wesley,€in€his€theology€of€stewardship,Ð =Ø Ðencouraged€Methodists€to€work€with€diligence€and€discipline€to€make€money€but€live€on€as€littleÐ )Ä Ðas€possible.€Wesley€set€an€example€with€his€own€life.€His€inexpensive,€simple€living€wasÐ ° Ðcounter„cultural€in€his€era..€Wesley€adamantly€instructed€his€followers€to€give€as€generously€asÐ  œ Ðpossible€to€the€poor€from€the€money€they€saved€by€frugal€living.€He€gave€an€aphorism€to€isÐ í ˆ Ðfellow€Methodists€that€has€stuck€through€the€years.€It€is:€ð ðMake€all€the€money€you€can.€Save€allÐ Ù t Ðthe€money€you€can.€€Give€away€all€the€money€you€can.ðð€€In€this€practice,€as€in€so€many€otherÐ Å ` Ðways,€Wesley€lived€out€biblical€thought€and€practice.€The€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€yourÐ ± L  Ðgifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð  8  ÐÐ  ‰$  Ð???what€you€have,€for€such€sacrifices€are€pleasing€to€God."€Then€the€writer€adds€that€God€willÐ e Ðequip€people€with€everything€good€for€doing€God's€will,€and€will€work€with€us€to€accomplish€theÐ Qì Ðthings€that€are€pleasing€to€God.Ð =Ø Ð???Ð )Ä ÐÌÌà  àIn€his€biography€of€a€famous€1840's€British€explorer,€Fdward€Rice€reports€on€conditionsÐ í ˆ Ðin€Baroda,€a€city€in€India.€The€rulers€ranked€people€below€cattle€and€treated€them€as€such.€GirlsÐ Ù t Ðwere€considered€a€liability€to€the€Hindus,€so€female€infants€were€killed€by€an€overdose€of€opiumÐ Å ` Ðor€by€drowning€them€in€a€hole€filled€with€milk.€(See€Captain€Sir€Richard€Francis€Burton;€CharlesÐ ± L  ÐScribner's€Sons,€1990;€pages€4445.)Ð  8  Ðà  àWhen€Christians€live€up€to€their€biblical€mandate,€such€behavior€is€not€possible.Ð ‰$  ÐChristians€cannot€with€integrity€separate€faith€from€action,€loving€God€and€behavingÐ u  Ðcompassionately€toward€other€people.€Christians€do€not€have€biblically-based€faith€if€their€careÐ aü  Ðfor€the€poor€and€needy€is€MIA€(missing€in€action).€The€ethical€monothism€of€both€the€Old€andÐ Mè  ÐNew€Testaments€says€that€people€who€love€God€point€caring€hands€and€generous€pocketbooks€inÐ 9Ô  Ðthe€same€direction€as€their€minds€and€mouths.Ð %À ÐÌThe€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€your€gifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð ý˜ ÐÐ  é„ Ðà  àSupporting€your€congregation€with€appropriate€financial€giving€is€not€the€full€picture€ofÐ e Ðwhat€God€expects€of€you.€Jesus€did€not€tell€the€rich€young€ruler€only€to€give€his€money€to€theÐ Qì Ðpoor€That€is€only€half€of€this€story.€Jesus€told€the€young€man€to€give€away€his€money€and€"come,Ð =Ø Ðfollow€me"€(Mark€10:21).€Money€and€the€entire€self-that€is€what€Jesus€asks€everyone€to€give.Ð )Ä Ðà  àJesus'€admonition€to€the€rich€young€ruler€sounds€like€a€radical€new€idea,€but€it€standsÐ ° Ðfirmly€on€the€centuries€ingold€foundation€of€ethical€monotheism€in€the€Old€Testament.€JesusÐ  œ Ðviewed€giving€money€to€God€without€giving€self€to€God€in€the€same€way€the€prophets€began€toÐ í ˆ Ðview€it€hundreds€of€years€earlier.€Any€attempt€to€separate€money€and€self€is€pseudo€surgery.€LikeÐ Ù t Ðthe€prophets€who€preceded€him,€Jesus€is€not€satisfied€with€half€a€person.€He€wants€all€or€nothing,Ð Å ` Ðnot€money€as€a€substitute€for€spiritual€commitment€to€God.Ð ± L  Ðà  àA€recurring€theme€of€both€Old€Testament€and€New€Testament€is,€People€seek€and€findÐ  8  ÐGod;€their€zeal€fades;€they€begin€to€worship€the€wrong€god;€they€then€lose€their€right-livingÐ ‰$  Ðhabits;€they€respond€to€a€prophet,€king,€or€angel€messenger€who€helps€them€recover€their€spiritualÐ u  Ðfocus.Ð aü  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€your€gifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð 9Ô  ÐÐ  %À ÐIn€the€novel€òòI€Heard€the€Owl€Call€My€Nameóó,€by€Margaret€Craven€a€newly€ordained€priest€hasÐ e Ðonly€two€years€to€live€The€Bishop€sends€him€to€The€most€difficult€assignment€ihei€has€available,Ð Qì Ðamong€the€Kwakiutl€Indians€in€the€seacoast€wilds€of€British€Columbia.€The€young€priestÐ =Ø Ðpatiently€sue-ceeds€against€almost€impossible€odds,€giving€of€himself€steadfastly€and€slowlyÐ )Ä Ðgaining€the€trust€of€the€Indians€The€village€is€never€again€the€same.Ð ° Ðà  àAt€one€point€in€the€story,€Indian€parishener€take€him€to€a€place€on€the€river€to€whichÐ  œ Ðsalmon€swim€to€lay€their€eggs.€The€salmon€have€swum€out€to€sea€and€have€returned€to€the€river€atÐ í ˆ Ðthe€end€of€their€lives€to€lay€their€eggs€and€then€die,€swimming€past€new€fingerlings€that€willÐ Ù t Ðcomprise€the€next€generation.€The€priest€tells€a€young€village€woman€who€finds€the€scene€sadÐ Å ` Ðthat€the€whole€life€of€""the€swimmer,"€the€Indians'€name€for€the€salmon,€is€one€of€courage€andÐ ± L  Ðadventure.€When€the€swimmer€dies€he€has€spent€himself€to€accomplish€the€purpose€for€which€heÐ  8  Ðis€made.€The€priest€explains€that€this€is€not€sadness€but€triumph.Ð ‰$  Ðà  àSuccess€in€the€Christian€life€is€not€defined€by€whether€we€live€or€die€but€whether€weÐ u  Ðspend€ourselves€for€the€purpose€for€which€God€designed€us.€The€only€potential€tragedy€is€that€weÐ aü  Ðdie€without€having€lived€our€life€so€that€something€of€value€sprouts€from€it.€If€that€tragedyÐ Mè  Ðhappens,€the€sadness€is€not€that€we€die€but€that€we€never€lived.Ð 9Ô  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€your€gifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð ¬ ÐÐ  ý˜ ÐDecember€18,€Ô_Ô2005Ô_ÔÐ e ÐÌThe€bottom-line€question€that€Jesus'€teachings€address€is€not€whether€you€should€be€religious€orÐ =Ø Ðspiritual€or€become€a€churchgoer.€The€bottom-line€question€is:€Are€you€alone,€or€are€you€òònotóóÐ )Ä Ðalone€in€the€universe?€€Are€you€alone€or€are€you€òònotóó€alone€in€the€room€where€you€sleep?€Is€thereÐ ° Ðjust€you,€just€what€you€can€see€and€hear?€Or€is€there€something€more,€something€invisible€yetÐ  œ Ðknowable,€something€the€generations€before€you€called€God?Ð í ˆ Ðà  àIf€you€believe€Jesus'€opinion€€that€God€is€here€with€you,€that€God€loves€you€as€anÐ Ù t Ðindividual€and€takes€care€of€you€in€ways€beyond€fathoming€or€predicting€-€then€earmarking€aÐ Å ` Ðsignificant€segment€of€your€income€for€God's€causes€is€an€easy€decision.€It€never€feels€like€a€riskyÐ ± L  Ðsacrifice€of€something€you€may€need€later.Ð  8  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€your€gifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð u  ÐÌÐ  Mè  ÐÌSeptember€25,€2005Ð Qì Ðà  àAmerican€money€carries€the€inscription€"In€God€We€Trust."€If€that€faith€statement€isÐ =Ø Ðreally€true€for€you,€financial€giving€is€easy.€If€it€is€not€true€in€your€mind,€financial€giving€fills€youÐ )Ä Ðwith€anxiety€rather€than€joy.€When€you€complete€an€""estimate€of€giving"€card€On€October€23òòrdóó€Ð ° Ðthis€year,€the€bottom€line€of€it€is€determined€by€what€you€have€already€written€at€the€bottom€lineÐ  œ Ðof€your€life.€It€is€either€faith€or€fear,€trust€or€distrust.€That,€more€than€your€financial€means,Ð í ˆ Ðdetermines€whether€you€give€meagerly€or€generously.Ð Ù t Ðà  àThe€Old€Testament€keeps€repeating€a€theme€encountered€in€its€opening€hook:€God€takesÐ Å ` Ðcare€of€people€who€worship€God,€trust€in€God's€providential€care,€refuse€to€worship€other€gods,Ð ± L  Ðand€live€lives€of€righteous€behavior.€Ð  8  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€your€gifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð u  ÐÐ  aü  ÐOctober€9,€2005Ð e ÐÌà  àJesus,€like€Moses€centuries€earlier,€understood€the€true€source€of€wealth.€It€is€notÐ =Ø Ðcreativity,€labor,€capital,€or€a€stable€goeernment,€as€important€as€each€of€those€assets€is€inÐ )Ä Ðproviding€a€rich,€full€life.€The€true€source€of€wealth€is€God.€When€you€complete€a€financialÐ ° Ðcommitment€card€on€October€23òòrdóó€or€give€your€offering€each€Sunday,€God's€providence€is€whatÐ  œ Ðyou€celebrate€-€not€just€your€ability€to€give€and€the€joy€that€comes€from€that€but€also€yourÐ í ˆ Ðrecognition€of€God's€ability€to€provide€and€the€sense€of€security€that€comes€from€that€faith,€hopeÐ Ù t Ðand€love.Ð Å ` ÐÌThe€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€your€gifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð  8  ÐÐ  ‰$  ÐDecember€11,€2005Ð e ÐÌà  àRudyard€Kipling€advised€the€graduating€class€at€McGill€University€to€avoid€an€obsessionÐ =Ø Ðwith€the€search€for€money,€power,€and€fame.€Kipling€suggested€that€meeting€someone€who€wasÐ )Ä Ðnot€concerned€about€such€things€would€help€them€understand€how€poor€they€really€were.Ð ° Ðà  àKipling's€words€echo€a€theme€that€recurs€through€the€Bible.€Giving€God€the€leftoverÐ  œ Ðcrumbs€of€your€personhood€robs€you€of€life's€best€experiences.€Giving€yourself€and€your€moneyÐ í ˆ Ðwholeheartedly€to€God's€great€causes€helps€counterbalance€your€natural€inclination€to€worship€theÐ Ù t Ðgod€called€"myself"Ð Å ` ÐÌÌThe€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€your€gifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð ‰$  ÐÐ  u  ÐÌÌà  àBoth€the€Old€Testament€and€the€New€Testament€(a)€urge€us€to€be€industrious€and€earnÐ =Ø Ðmoney€while€(b)€warning€us€that€selecting€money€as€the€central€goal€of€our€lives€destroys€ourÐ )Ä Ðlives.€A€purely€financial-acquisition€approach€to€life€breaks€the€first€commandment,€therebyÐ ° Ðmaking€money€a€false€god€that€violates€our€covenant€with€the€true€God€and€increases€theÐ  œ Ðlikelihood€that€our€pursuit€of€happiness€will€end€fruitlessly.€Ð í ˆ Ðà  àIf€you€give€God€only€apple€cores€what€you€have€left€tastes€like€an€apple€core€is€!Ð Ù t ÐÌThe€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€your€gifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð ± L  ÐÐ   8  ÐDecember€4,€2005Ð e ÐÌà  àSir€Winston€Churchill€(1874€-€1965)€once€said,€""We€make€a€living€by€what€we€get.€WeÐ =Ø Ðmake€a€life€by€what€we€give."€Churchill€had€it€right.€Although€your€financial€giving€does€notÐ )Ä Ðcreate€life,€it€does€protect€your€life€from€obsession€with€trivial€irrdevancies€that€lead€toÐ ° Ðemptiness.Ð  œ ÐÌThe€ushers€will€wait€upon€you€now€for€your€gifts,€tithes,€and€offerings.€€Ð Ù t ÐÐ  Å ` ÐStewardship€Minute€July€31,€2005Ð e ÐÌà  àAn€apocryphal€story€tells€of€two€men€shipwrecked€on€an€island.€Overcome€with€fear,€oneÐ =Ø Ðsaid,€"We're€going€to€die!€We're€going€to€die!"€The€second€man€was€calm.€""Don't€worry,"€heÐ )Ä Ðsaid€"My€income€is€$100,000€a€week."€The€first€man€was€dumbfounded.Ð ° Ð'What€difference€does€that€make?€We're€on€an€island€with€nothing€to€eat€or€drink.€We're€going€toÐ  œ Ðdie!"€"You€don't€get€it!"€the€second€man€responded.€"I€make€$100,000€a€week.€I€give€ten€percentÐ í ˆ Ðof€that€to€my€church.€My€pastor€will€find€me!"Ð Ù t Ðà  àThe€biblical€record€does€not€support€precisely€that€kind€of€benefit€for€people€who€giveÐ Å ` Ðgenerously€to€God's€causes.€Yet€countless€Scriptures€say€financial€giving€brings€rewards.Ð ± L  ÐÌ€The€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð ‰$  ÐÐ  u  Ðà  àContemporary€people€say€that€giving€brings€rewards€in€three€ways.€SomeÐ e Ðgivers€emphasize€the€good€feeling€they€get€from€giving.€William€Allen€White,€a€famousÐ Qì Ðnewspaper€editor€in€Emporia,€Kansas,€gave€the€city€fifty€acres€of€land€for€a€park.€It€has€beenÐ =Ø Ðreported€that€at€the€park's€dedication,€the€mayor€thanked€the€donor€and€asked€him€to€say€a€fewÐ )Ä Ðwords.€White€remarked€that€you€get€three€kicks€from€every€dollar.€The€first€kick€is€when€youÐ ° Ðmake€it.€The€second€kick€is€when€you€save€it.€The€third€kick€is€when€you€give€it€away„„„-and€thisÐ  œ Ðlast€one€is€the€biggest€kick€of€all.Ð í ˆ ÐÌÐ  Å ` ÐApril€15,€2006Ð e Ѐ€Some€Christian€givers€stress€the€concrete,€material€compensation€for€giving.€In€an€old€storyÐ Qì Ðpassed€down€from€the€early€years€of€television,€a€young€Catholic€boy€encouraged€his€family€toÐ =Ø Ðrespond€to€an€appeal€from€the€well-known€television€host€Bishop€Sheen.€The€family€was€ofÐ )Ä Ðmoderate€means€but€decided€to€pool€all€the€money€in€the€house.€They€came€up€with€$10.35,Ð ° Ðwhich€was€more€money€at€that€time€than€it€is€today.€During€the€family€debate€as€to€whether€theyÐ  œ Ðshould€send€it€or€not,€the€mother€said,€""We€are€going€to€give€it.€It€will€come€back€to€usÐ í ˆ Ðmany-fold."€So€they€sent€it.€About€a€week€later,€the€family€won€a€hundred€dollars€in€a€localÐ Ù t Ðsupermarket€drawing.€At€the€family€council€to€discuss€what€they€should€do€with€the€money,€theÐ Å ` Ðsix-year-old€said,€"Let's€put€it€all€back€on€Bishop€Sheen."Ð ± L  Ðà  àVirtually€everyone€who€gives€unselfishly€to€God's€causes€affirms€that€family's€experience.Ð  8  ÐThus€the€often-heard€adage:€""You€can't€out-give€God!"Ð ‰$  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€assist€you€now€in€putting€your€money€on€God.Ð  aü  ÐFebruary€26,€2006€Stewardship€MinuteÐ e Ðà  àSome€Christian€givers€stresses€the€eternal€value€of€giving.€A€funeral€procession€wasÐ Qì Ðpassing€along€a€busy€street.€An€armored€truck€pulled€up€to€the€cross-street€intersection.€NotÐ =Ø Ðrealizing€that€the€procession€of€cars€was€a€funeral,€the€armored€car's€driver€wheeled€into€theÐ )Ä Ðmiddle€of€it.€A€block€down€the€street,€a€pedestrian€said,€""What€do€you€know!€You€can€take€itÐ ° Ðwith€you!"Ð  œ Ðà  àBiblically€speaking,€that€observer€was€right.€""Store€up€for€yourselves€treasures€inÐ í ˆ Ðheaven,€where€neither€moth€nor€rust€consumes€and€where€thieves€do€not€break€in€and€steal,"Ð Ù t ÐJesus€said€(Matthew€6:20).Ð Å ` ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings€that€purchase€the€gifts€in€and€ofÐ  8  ÐGodððs€kingdom..Ð ‰$  ÐÐ  u  ÐÌà  àIn€which€of€these€three€ways€do€you€express€the€biblical€theme€that€financial€givingÐ Qì Ðbrings€rewards?€Do€you€emphasize€the€positive€personal€feeling€that€comes€from€generosity?€DoÐ =Ø Ðyou€stress€the€direct€material€benefit€God€gives€the€giver?€Do€you€believe€that€giving€pays€off€inÐ )Ä Ðeternity?€All€three€interpretations€stand€on€the€granite€foundation€of€biblical€texts.Ð ° ÐÌà  àUnfortunately,€unscrupulous€religious€leaders€sometimes€abuse€this€biblical€theme.€ByÐ í ˆ Ðtwisting€it€to€their€personal€advantage,€they€give€this€concept€a€bad€name,€encouraging€people€toÐ Ù t Ðsupport€good€causes€for€selfish€reasons.€Such€manipulative€maneuvers€for€selfish€purposes€byÐ Å ` Ðreligious€con€artists€discredit€their€personal€integrity.€However,€promising€personal€benefit€fromÐ ± L  Ðfinancial€giving€is€not€unscriptural.Ð  8  ÐÌà  àJesus€summed€up€several€hundred€years€of€Old€Testament€teaching€and€convictions€heÐ u  Ðhad€expressed€on€several€occasions€when€he€said,€"It€is€more€blessed€to€give€than€to€receive"Ð aü  Ð(Acts€20:35).Ð Mè  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings€that€purchase€the€gifts€in€and€ofÐ %À ÐGodððs€kingdom..Ð ¬ ÐÐ  ý˜ ÐNovember€27,€2005Ð e ÐÌSharon€said€to€her€husband,€"'If€a€doctor€ever€tells€you€I€have€cancer€and€don't€have€long€to€live,€IÐ =Ø Ðwould€want€you€to€tell€me."€""Why?"€Ralph€asked.€""I€would€want€to€spend€each€day€the€best€IÐ )Ä Ðcould€and€do€all€the€good€I€could€in€the€days€I€had€left,"€the€wife€replied.€Ralph€pondered€that€aÐ ° Ðfew€minutes€and€said,€""Why€don't€you€do€that€anyway'?"Ð  œ Ðà  àThe€answer€is€obvious.€News€of€impending€death€gives€people€a€clear€perspective€notÐ í ˆ Ðpossible€when€they€think€the€road€ahead€is€years€long.€Thus,€when€nearing€death,€people€oftenÐ Ù t Ðdecide€to€use€time€and€money€in€ways€they€should€have€used€them€years€earlier.Ð Å ` Ðà  àEnd-of-life€conversions€to€God€and€good€behavior€are€not€a€bad€idea.€However,€the€Bible€Ð ± L  Ðsuggests€that€it€is€a€better€idea€to€decide€early€in€life€to€make€good€use€of€time€and€money.€Ð  8  ÐThreaded€through€both€the€Old€Testament€and€the€New€Testament€is€the€injunction€to€give€as€one€Ð ‰$  Ðis€able,€at€specific€times€and€in€special€places.Ð u  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð Mè  ÐÐ  9Ô  ÐSeptember€18,€2005€Ð e Ðand€October€2,€2005Ð Qì Ðà  àPrior€to€the€annual€stewardship€campaign€to€support€her€congregation's€ministries€throughÐ =Ø Ðthe€operating€budget,€a€pastor€pointed€out€the€ridiculousness€of€saying,€"I€never€make€pledges;€it'sÐ )Ä Ðagainst€my€principles."€The€pastor€explained€her€conviction€by€pointing€up€all€the€other€placesÐ ° Ðpeople€pledge.€€€Ask€DTE.€€Ask€Ô_ÔSBCÔ_Ô.€Ask€them€if€you€agreed€to€pay€a€certain€specific€amount€toÐ  œ Ðthem.€€Ask€Visa.€Ask€the€company€that€holds€the€mortgage€on€your€house.€Those€who€say€theyÐ í ˆ Ðdo€not€pledge€often€mean€that€they€do€not€pledge€to€God.€Those€who€do€not€pledge€do€notÐ Ù t Ðcommit€themselves€to€the€support€of€God's€kingdom's€ministries€with€a€specific€amount€orÐ Å ` Ðpercentage€of€giving.€€€When€you€put€a€dollar€amount€or€an€income€percentage€on€your€pledgeÐ ± L  Ðcard€October€23òòrdóó€this€year,€you€will€be€writing€much€more€than€how€much€money€you€intend€toÐ  8  Ðgive.€You€are€saying€to€God,€"This€is€my€response€to€the€first€of€your€Ten€Commandments:€I€willÐ ‰$  Ðhave€no€other€gods€before€you."€€Or€you€may€be€saying€ð ðGod€you€have€blessed€me€and€I€want€toÐ u  Ðsupport€your€ministries€by€giving€a€percentage€first€to€you.ðð€€Thank€you€for€being€here€with€otherÐ aü  Ðto€worship€God€today.€€Thank€you€for€supporting€God€with€your€financial€gifts.€€The€ushers€willÐ Mè  Ðnow€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð 9Ô  ÐÌÌÐ  ý˜ ÐOctober€16,€2005Ð e ÐÌà  àHuman€needs€are€enormous.€Calls€for€help€seem€endless.€A€man€asked€his€pastor€whetherÐ =Ø Ðthere€would€come€a€time€when€he€could€stop€giving.€The€pastor€replied€that€certainly€the€manÐ )Ä Ðshould€stop€giving......€€as€soon€as€God€stopped€giving.Ð ° Ðà  àFive€percent€of€the€United€States€population€has€about€25€%€of€the€county's€financialÐ  œ Ðcapital.€The€next€10€%€of€the€citizens€own€another€25%€of€the€capital.€Another€20%€of€the€peopleÐ í ˆ Ðhave€another€25€%€of€the€money,€and€the€remaining€65€%€of€people€have€the€remaining€25%€€ofÐ Ù t Ðfinancial€resources.€Ð Å ` Ðà  àThis€imbalance€is€not€new;€it€has€been€around€for€at€least€three€thousand€years.€Thus,€theÐ ± L  ÐBible€keeps€repeating€the€theme€"give€proportionately."€Nothing€else€makes€sense.€If€God€askedÐ  8  Ðeveryone€to€give€an€equal€number€of€dollars€God€would€be€nuts!Ð ‰$  Ðà  àNext€Sunday€you€will€be€asked€to€make€a€faith€pledge.€€Please€find€the€right€proportion€ofÐ u  Ðyour€financial€resources€that€you€believe€God€will€provide€your€you€to€give€through€TrinityÐ aü  ÐUnited€Methodist€Church€ministries€for€2006.€€As€Paul€says€in€2€Cor€9€ð ðI€thought€it€necessary€toÐ Mè  Ðurge€the€brothers€to€go€on€ahead€to€you,€and€arrange€in€advance€for€this€bountiful€gift€that€youÐ 9Ô  Ðhave€promised,....€Each€of€you€must€give€as€you€have€made€up€your€mind,€not€reluctantly€orÐ %À Ðunder€compulsion,€for€God€loves€a€cheerful€giver.ððÐ ¬ ÐÌAs€for€today,€the€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€being€cheerful€givers€of€your€tithes€and€offerings!Ð é„ ÐÌÐ  Á\ Ðà  àThe€new€member€who€asked€his€pastor,€"What€do€most€people€give?"€meant€well,€but€hisÐ e Ðquestion€was€flawed.€Likewise,€congregations€engage€in€defective€solutions€when€they€try€toÐ Qì Ðhandle€a€financial€crisis€by€asking€every€parishioner€household€to€increase€its€giving€by€thirtyÐ =Ø Ðdollars€a€month€to€support€the€next€year's€church€budget.€That€silly€idea€(a)€is€not€based€on€theÐ )Ä Ðreality€of€differing€financial€resources€in€each€household;€(b)€does€not€recognize€the€invitation€ofÐ ° ÐGod€for€sacrificial€giving;€and€Ô_Ô(cÔ_Ô)€has€no€biblical€foundation.€The€Bible€teaches€proportionateÐ  œ Ðgiving,€not€"divide€up€the€cost€of€supporting€the€church€and€ask€everyone€to€give€an€equalÐ í ˆ Ðamount."Ð Ù t ÐÐ  Å ` ÐSeptember€4,€2005Ð e Ðà  àThe€basic€nature€of€sin€is€not€pride,€as€some€theologians€indicate.€The€essential€nature€ofÐ Qì Ðsin€is€selfishness.€We€often€tend€to€express€that€self-centeredness€(sin)€by€pursuing€our€ownÐ =Ø Ðinterests€first€instead€of€God's€interests.€When€we€view€our€lives€as€having€first€importance,€weÐ )Ä Ðhave€sparse€financial€resources€left€over€for€the€causes€of€God's€kingdom.Ð ° Ðà  àMature€Christians€take€as€the€highest€priority€the€love€promised€to€God€at€baptism.Ð  œ ÐMature€Christians€know€that€their€possessions€and€their€money€are€temporary€and€their€souls€areÐ í ˆ Ðpermanent.€Mature€Christians€have€a€sense€of€humor€about€giving€their€money€to€an€imperfectÐ Ù t Ðinstitution.€Mature€Christians€know€that€their€financial€gift€is€really€to€God€and€not€to€aÐ Å ` Ðless-than-perfect€organization€with€less-than-perfect€leadership€and€management.Ð ± L  ÐThe€usher€will€now€assist€you,€mature€Christians,€in€making€your€gifts€and€tithes€to€God.Ð  8  ÐÐ  ‰$  ÐOctober€30,€2005Ð e Ðà  àMature€Christians€follow€the€biblical€injunction€to€give€God€their€money€regularly,€notÐ Qì Ðjust€at€the€end€of€the€year,€the€end€of€the€bills,€or€the€end€of€the€time€when€they€are€irritated€withÐ =Ø Ðtheir€current€pastor.Ð )Ä Ðà  àThe€Bible€illustrates€this€theme€from€its€beginning€to€its€ending€pages.Ð ° ÐExodus€34:20,€says,€no€one€is€to€appear€before€me€without€an€offering."€€Leviticus€23:1-3,€Ð  œ Ðrequires€the€Israelites€to€forgo€earning€money€on€the€seventh€day€of€every€week.Ð í ˆ Ðà  àThe€evidence€is€clear.€The€Bible€teaches€thankful€ð ðpay€dayðð€giving,€not€ð ðmay€dayðð€giving:Ð Ù t Ð("Ô_ÔS.O.S.Ô_Ô€The€ship€is€sinking;€we€need€money€to€pay€the€church's€bills").€This€regular€giving€doesÐ Å ` Ðnot€mean€that€churches€should€never€take€special€offerings€to€meet€a€crisis.€However,€if€crisisÐ ± L  Ðofferings€are€frequent,€it€heralds€how€important€it€is€to€teach€the€biblical€principle€ofÐ  8  Ðproportionate,€regular€giving.Ð ‰$  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð aü  ÐÌÌÌÐ  ¬ ÐÌThe€Bible€always€defines€the€tithe€as€one€tenth€of€one's€income.Ð Qì ÐThe€tithe€appears€in€the€earliest€Israelite€history€stories€as€an€appropriate€way€to€put€God€first,Ð =Ø Ðabove€all€other€god€candidates.€Ð )Ä ÐJesus€reaffirms€giving€ten€percent€in€his€teachings.Ð ° Ðà  àWhy,€then,€do€many€contemporary€Christians€disagree€about€this€teaching?€The€answer€toÐ  œ Ðthat€question€is€rooted€in€Christian€history,€not€in€the€biblical€record.€In€the€years€after€AD.€312,Ð í ˆ Ðmany€of€the€church's€benevolence€efforts€became€part€of€the€Roman€government'sÐ Ù t Ðresponsibilities.€When€the€church€intertwined€with€the€state€-€soon€termed€the€Holy€RomanÐ Å ` ÐEmpire€its€leaders€began€to€dilute€(a)€the€tithe's€purpose€and€role€in€helping€the€poor€and€(b)€theÐ ± L  Ðtithe's€role€in€strengthening€personal€spiritual€growth.Ð  8  ÐÌà  àA€system€of€tithes€was€part€of€a€governmental€tax€system€in€Europe€for€centuries,€bothÐ u  Ðbefore€and€after€the€Protestant€Reformation€sprouted€wings€in€1517,€and€both€in€the€countriesÐ aü  Ðdominated€by€the€Holy€Catholic€Church€and€in€the€countries€controlled€by€Protestant-dominatedÐ Mè  Ðgovernments.Ð 9Ô  Ðà  àShortly€after€the€Protestant€Reformation€gathered€strength€sufficient€to€dominate€theÐ %À Ðgovernments€of€European€nations,€active€resistance€to€the€forced€payment€of€tithes€began.€AÐ ¬ Ðseries€of€events€referred€to€as€the€tithe€wars€occurred€in€England€during€the€1600's€and€1700's.Ð ý˜ ÐPeople€rebelled€against€the€government€officials€who€collected€the€tithe€and€backed€theirÐ é„ Ðwars€occurred€in€England€during€the€1600's€and€1700's.€People€rebelled€against€the€governmentÐ Õp Ðofficials€who€collected€the€tithe€and€backed€their€demands€with€armed€force.€As€late€as€theÐ Á\ Ð1990's,€researchers€encountered€one€Episcopal€priest€who€told€them€he€could€not€promote€theÐ ­H Ðtithe€because€people€in€his€congregation€had€bad€memories€about€those€wars.€(See€Behind€theÐ ™4 ÐStained-Glass€Windows,€by€John€and€Sylvia€Ô_ÔRonsvalleÔ_Ô;€Baker€Books,€1996;€page€187).Ð …  ÐÌà  àThe€idea€of€a€government€not€married€to€and€supporting€the€church's€clergy€salaries€andÐ ]ø Ðbenevolence€efforts€through€taxes€is€slightly€more€than€two€hundred€years€old.€This€concept€ofÐ Iä Ðseparating€church€and€state€was€not€part€of€the€Christian€landscape€between€A.D.€312€and€A.D.Ð 5Ð Ð1776.€Thus,€church€leaders€in€the€United€States€are€plowing€new€historical€ground€when€theyÐ !¼ Ðattempt€to€teach€from€the€biblical€record€regarding€the€idea€of€giving€ten€percent€of€one's€incomeÐ  ¨ Ðto€support€God's€benevolence,€mission,€and€ministry€efforts.Ð ù ” ÐÌà  àTo€make€that€effort€to€teach€tithing€even€more€complicated,€theological€instruction€inÐ Ñ"l! Ðseminaries€since€1776€has€relied€heavily€on€the€major€European€theologians€such€as€Aquinas,Ð ½#X" ÐLuther,€and€Calvin.€Those€writers€conducted€their€ministries€in€state-supported€churches.Ð ©$D # ÐTherefore€their€focus,€consumed€by€the€heated€theological€issues€of€their€day,€was€naturallyÐ •%0!$ Ðdevoid€of€significant€financial€stewardship€instruction.€The€European€states'€marriages€to€andÐ &"% Ðfunding€of€many€of€the€church's€ministries€put€teaching€the€Bible's€content€regarding€financialÐ m'#& Ðgiving€low€on€the€list€of€relevant€topics.Ð Y(ô#' ÐÌà  àPastors€and€church€members€sometimes€ask,€"Why€do€we€find€so€few€New€TestamentÐ 1*Ì%) ÐScriptures€affirming€the€tithe?"€That€question€has€a€simple€answer.€Jesus€was€a€Jew.€He€spentÐ +¸&* Ðmost€of€his€life€working€in€a€carpenter€shop.€Being€a€Jew,€he€tithed,€just€as€he€honored€theÐ  ,¤'+ ÐSabbath€and€adhered€to€the€Old€Testament€Law.€Trying€to€teach€the€Jews€to€tithe€would€be€asÐ õ,(, Ðrelevant€as€urging€them€to€eat€dinner.€They€already€tithed.€Jesus€saw€that€the€Jews€needed€to€addÐ á-|)- Ðgenuine,€heartfelt€love€of€God€and€neighbor€to€their€religious€ritual€of€tithing.€Therefore,€JesusÐ e Ðspent€most€of€his€instruction€time€on€that€topic,€accompanied€by€the€assumption€that€people€whoÐ Qì Ðgenuinely€give€God€their€hearts€and€minds€also€give€God€their€money.Ð =Ø ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€heartfelt€tithes€and€heartfelt€offerings.Ð ° ÐÌThe€Old€Testament€describes€the€tithe€as€the€basic€giving€level.€People€also€gave€offerings€aboveÐ í ˆ Ðand€beyond€the€tithe.€All€across€the€Old€Testament's€pages,€writers€urge€people€to€bring€theirÐ Ù t Ðtithes€and€offerings€to€God.Ð Å ` ÐAfter€hearing€the€story€of€a€business€tycoon's€philanthropic€habits,€which€far€exceeded€tenÐ ± L  Ðpercent€of€his€hefty€income,€someone€said,€"If€I€were€that€rich,€I€would€be€generous€too!"€ThatÐ  8  Ðquip€stands€on€logic€as€firm€as€quicksand.€Virtually€everyone€who€gives€generously€to€furtherÐ ‰$  ÐGod's€purposes€begins€that€habit€long€before€they€know€that€wealth€is€coming€in€their€future.Ð u  ÐGenerosity€is€rooted€in€habits€of€the€heart,€not€in€the€bank€balance.Ð aü  ÐÌÌà  àUrging€people€to€give€ten€percent€is€a€dangerous€legalism€that€prevents€some€people€fromÐ %À Ðgiving€generously.€Teaching€this€distinction€can€help€wealthy€people€combat€their€obviousÐ ¬ Ðdilemma:€For€some€people,€giving€God€ten€percent€of€one's€income€is€a€covert€method€of€beingÐ ý˜ Ðselfish€rather€than€a€means€of€practicing€the€Bible's€injunction€toward€generosity.Ð é„ Ðà  àExodus€36:3-7€(about€1290~1250€B.C.),€written€during€Moses'€era,€describes€generousÐ Õp Ðgiving€from€the€Israelites.€Responding€to€Moses'€request€for€offerings€to€build€the€"Tent€of€theÐ Á\ ÐLORD's€presence,"€the€Israelites€bring€more€than€is€needed.€€So€Moses€sends€a€commandÐ ­H Ðthroughout€the€camp€for€no€one€to€contribute€anything€else.€""What€had€already€been€broughtÐ ™4 Ðwas€more€than€enough€to€finish€all€the€work."Ð …  ÐÐ  q  ÐÔ_ÔSeptember€11,€2005Ð e ÐÌà  àC.€S.€Lewis€said€that€since€there€is€no€easy€way€to€know€how€much€we€should€give€toÐ =Ø ÐGodððs€work,€the€safest€thing€is€to€give€more€than€we€can€spare.€Building€on€the€Old€Testament'sÐ )Ä Ðfoundation,€New€Testament€writings€give€special€emphasis€to€the€virtue€of€giving€sacrificially.Ð ° ÐGiving€sacrificially€emulates€the€behavior€of€Christ,€who€gave€€his€life€on€the€cross.Ð  œ Ðà  àJesus€said€the€widow's€two€copper€coins€exceeded€the€large€gifts€of€rich€people,€not€inÐ í ˆ Ðmonetary€value€but€in€heart€commitment.€The€rich€people€gave€from€the€top€of€theirÐ Ù t Ðpocketbooks,€like€tipping€the€waiter€at€a€restaurant.€The€widow€gave€from€the€bottom€of€herÐ Å ` Ðheart,€sacrificially,€like€the€poor€family€scraping€by€to€provide€their€child€a€university€education.Ð ± L  ÐJesus'€point:€Whether€you€loosen€your€purse-strings€or€tighten€them€to€support€God's€ministriesÐ  8  Ðdepends€on€what€you€put€first€in€your€life.Ð ‰$  ÐÌThank€you€for€your€tithes€and€praise€offerings€today.€The€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€givingÐ aü  ÐthemÐ Mè  ÐÐ  9Ô  ÐÌIn€an€English€Village€lived€one€wealthy€family€and€many€poor€families.€€Each€winter,€the€richÐ Qì Ðfamily€provided€an€overcoat€fund€for€the€poor.€€The€coats€were€provided€free€of€charge;€however,Ð =Ø Ðeach€coat€was€bright€green,€the€color€of€the€rich€family's€crest.€Genuine€Christian€giving€does€notÐ )Ä Ðseek€recognition€for€financial€contributions.€Christian€donors€recognize€their€indebtedness€toÐ ° ÐGod.€They€know€that€their€generosity€is€empowered€by€God's€grace€and€made€possible€by€God'sÐ  œ Ðprovidential€giving€of€the€financial€means€by€which€to€give.Ð í ˆ Ðà  àA€man€who€had€been€honored€for€his€humanitarian€work€with€people€with€mentalÐ Ù t Ðretardation€did€not€publicly€display€his€award.€He€explained€that€the€award€was€for€work€he€hadÐ Å ` Ðdone€yesterday,€and€he€used€the€award,€visible€only€to€him€in€the€privacy€of€his€bedroom,€toÐ ± L  Ðremind€himself€daily€to€ask,€"What€can€I€do€today?"Ð  8  ÐThank€you€for€todayððs€tithes€and€praise€offerings.€The€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€themÐ ‰$  ÐÌÌÌÐ  9Ô  ÐJune€12,€2005Ð e ÐA€British€story€says€a€worshiper€mistakenly€gave€a€gold€pound€when€he€intended€to€give€a€shiny,Ð Qì Ðgold-colored€penny,€which€was€about€the€same€size.€Recognizing€his€mistake€after€it€was€tooÐ =Ø Ðlate,€he€went€to€the€deacon€in€charge€of€the€offering,€told€him€about€his€mistake,€and€asked€toÐ )Ä Ðexchange€the€penny€for€the€pound.€The€deacon€would€not€believe€him.€Finally€the€man€gave€upÐ ° Ðand€told€him€to€keep€the€pound€"After€all,€I€gave€it€to€the€Lord€and€He€will€bless€me€for€it:'€TheÐ  œ Ðdeacon€replied,€"You're€wrong€about€that.€God€will€reward€you€not€for€what€you€gave€but€forÐ í ˆ Ðwhat€you€wanted€to€give?'Ð Ù t Ðà  àAccording€to€the€Bible,€people€who€forget€themselves€in€their€giving,€and€aim€high€inÐ Å ` Ðtheir€attempts€to€thank€God,€€find€themselves€blessed€by€God,€spiritually€and€materially,€throughÐ ± L  Ðthat€praise€offering.€People€who€seek€to€serve€themselves€with€their€giving,€lose€their€wholenessÐ  8  Ð(their€spiritual€relationship€with€God)€through€efforts€to€attain€and€preserve€personal€prestige.Ð ‰$  ÐThank€you€for€your€€tithes€and€praise€offerings€today.€The€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€givingÐ u  ÐthemÐ aü  ÐÌÌÐ  %À ÐAugust€21,€2005Ð e ÐÌà  àA€man€who€gave€one€hundred€dollars€to€the€building€fund€at€his€church€was€astonished€toÐ =Ø Ðopen€his€small€town€newspaper€and€find€his€name€on€a€list€of€people€who€gave€one€thousandÐ )Ä Ðdollars.€He€called€the€pastor€and€told€him€he€had€given€only€one€hundred€dollars.€The€ministerÐ ° Ðreplied,€"Oh,€we're€terribly€sorry.€We'll€print€a€retraction€in€tomorrow's€newspaper."€The€manÐ  œ Ðthought€for€a€moment€and€said€how€that€would€be€quite€embarrassing€to€him.€So€the€clergymanÐ í ˆ Ðsaid,€"Well,€you€turned€yourself€in.€I€see€nothing€else€we€can€do."€The€man€replied,€'I€suppose€I'dÐ Ù t Ðbetter€give€the€other€nine€hundred€dollars,"€which€he€did.Ð Å ` Ðà  àThat€extra€nine-hundred-dollar€gift€helped€the€church's€building€fund,€but€it€did€not€helpÐ ± L  Ðthe€giver.€Self-serving€giving€has€no€foundation€in€the€biblical€record.Ð  8  ÐÌThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€your€cheerful€giving€of€your€voluntary€tithes€and€offerings.Ð u  ÐÌÐ  Mè  ÐÌMay€22,€2005€€€&€€€June€19,€2005Ð Qì ÐThe€story€is€told€of€a€famous€opera€€singer€€who€had€just€given€an€outstanding€matineeÐ =Ø Ðperformance.€When€fans€gathered€to€offer€congratulations€backstage€one€of€them€said,€"I€see€byÐ )Ä Ðthe€program€that€you€have€to€give€another€performance€tonight."€"No!,€said€the€singer€"I€don'tÐ ° Ðhave€to€give€another€performance€tonight."€"But€it€says€right€here€on€the€program€that€you€haveÐ  œ Ðan€eight€o'clock€performance€this€evening,"€the€fan€said.€"I€do€have€a€performance€tonight,"€theÐ í ˆ Ðsinger€replied€"but€don't€have€to€give€it,€€I€get€to€give€it"Ð Ù t Ðà  àThe€biblical€record€says€that€appropriately€motivated€financial€giving€to€God€is€like€thatÐ Å ` ÐThe€donor€sees€it€not€as€an€obligation€a€duty,€or€a€responsibility€but€as€a€joyful€opportunity€he€orÐ ± L  Ðshe€"gets€to€give€it"€€The€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð  8  ÐÐ  ‰$  ÐMay€29,€2005€€€July€24,€2005€&€January€22,€2006Ð e Ðà  àPaul€says€that€God€loves€a€cheerful€giver.€Of€course,€other€biblical€evidence€indicates€thatÐ Qì ÐGod€also€loves€you€before€you€become€a€cheerful€giver.€How€ever,€God€does€want€you€to€give,Ð =Ø Ðbut€because€you€want€to€help€God€with€what€God€is€trying€to€get€done€in€the€world€not€becauseÐ )Ä Ðyou€have€read€a€rule€in€a€holy€book€that€says€you€have€to€do€it€or€because€you€feel€pressured€byÐ ° Ðother€people€in€your€church€to€do€it.Ð  œ Ðà  àAt€the€end€of€his€productive€life,€former€president€John€Adams,€who€succeeded€GeorgeÐ í ˆ ÐWashington€in€that€office,€said€his€faith€in€God€and€the€hereafter€remained€unshaken.€AdamsÐ Ù t Ðreduced€his€fundamental€creed€to€one€sentence:€""He€who€loves€the€Workman€and€his€Work,€andÐ Å ` Ðdoes€what€he€can€to€preserve€and€improve€it,€shall€be€accepted€of€Him"€(letter€to€ThomasÐ ± L  ÐJefferson;€June€18,€1812).Ð  8  Ðà  àThat€sums€up€the€biblical€reasons€for€joy€in€financial€giving.€Your€money€helps€God'sÐ ‰$  Ðministries.€It€helps€your€hurting€and€needy€neighbor.€It€helps€you€grow€spiritually€in€yourÐ u  Ðrelationship€with€the€eternal€God.Ð aü  Ðà  àThe€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð Mè  ÐÐ  9Ô  ÐMarch€27,€2005€&€July€10,€2005Ð e ÐÌThe€father€of€the€United€Methodist€Church€is€John€Wesley.€€His€theology€of€stewardshipÐ =Ø Ðencouraged€Methodists€to€work€with€diligence€and€discipline€to€make€money€but€live€on€as€littleÐ )Ä Ðas€possible.€Wesley€set€an€example€with€his€own€life.€His€inexpensive,€simple€living€wasÐ ° Ðcounter„cultural€in€his€era..€Wesley€adamantly€instructed€his€followers€to€give€as€generously€asÐ  œ Ðpossible€to€the€poor€from€the€money€they€saved€by€frugal€living.€In€this€practice,€as€in€so€manyÐ í ˆ Ðother€ways,€Wesley€lived€out€biblical€thought€and€practice.€€The€Bible€says,€Do€not€neglect€to€doÐ Ù t Ðgood€and€to€share€what€you€have,€for€such€sacrifices€are€pleasing€to€God.€òò€€Hebrews€13:16óó€€TheÐ Å ` Ðushers€will€now€assist€you€in€giving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð ± L  ÐÌÌÔ‡-Xé>XXXâ@ÔTO€God,€most€merciful€and€gracious,€we€have€all€received€your€gifts;€accept€this€offering€of€yourÐ u  Ðpeople.€Remember€in€your€love€those€who€have€brought€it€and€those€for€whom€it€is€given.€Add€toÐ aü  Ðit€your€blessing€that€it€may€promote€peace€and€goodwill€among€all€peoples,€and€advance€theÐ Mè  Ðkingdom€of€our€Lord€and€Savior€Jesus€Christ.€Amen.Ð 9Ô  ÐÔ#†Xâ@XX-Xé>*ì#ÔÌApril€3,€2005€and€June€26,€2005€January€29,€2006Ð ¬ ÐÌà  àJesus€said€he€came€that€we€might€have€life€(John€10:10).€He€did€not€say€that€he€came€soÐ é„ Ðthat€we€can€have€religion.€He€did€not€even€say€that€he€came€so€that€we€can€give€offerings€toÐ Õp Ðsupport€churches.€Jesus€came€with€the€good€news€that€God€seeks€each€of€us,€asks€us€toÐ Á\ Ðwholeheartedly€put€God€first€in€our€lives,€and€promises€positive€benefits€from€such€a€life€focus.Ð ­H ÐThat€is€the€prime€purpose€of€giving€our€money€to€God€in€worship€-€not€merely€so€that€the€churchÐ ™4 Ðcan€pay€its€bills€or€accomplish€ministries€but€so€that€we€do€not€put€something€else€first,€ahead€ofÐ …  Ðthe€God€who€can€give€us€life€that€is€abundant€and€whole.€The€ushers€will€now€assist€you€inÐ q  Ðgiving€your€tithes€and€offerings.Ð ]ø ÐÌÌÌApril€17,€2005Ð  ¨ Ðà  àAt€the€end€of€his€productive€life,€former€president€John€Adams,€who€succeeded€GeorgeÐ ù ” ÐWashington€in€that€office,€said€his€faith€in€God€and€the€hereafter€remained€unshaken.€AdamsÐ å!€  Ðreduced€his€fundamental€creed€to€one€sentence:€""He€who€loves€the€Workman€and€his€Work,€andÐ Ñ"l! Ðdoes€what€he€can€to€preserve€and€improve€it,€shall€be€accepted€of€Him"€(letter€to€ThomasÐ ½#X" ÐJefferson;€June€18,€1812).Ð ©$D # Ðà  àThat€sums€up€the€biblical€reasons€for€joy€in€financial€giving.€Your€money€helps€God'sÐ •%0!$ Ðministries€around€the€world.€It€helps€your€hurting€and€needy€neighbor.€It€helps€you€growÐ &"% Ðspiritually€in€your€relationship€with€the€eternal€God.€€The€ushers€will€now€assist€you€in€givingÐ m'#& Ðyour€tithes€and€offerings.Ð Y(ô#' ÐÌ