Friends, get in a quiet place and listen to this message, Enemies! making the right decision in enemy like relationships.
Our Senior Pastor, Mark Savagetaught this message April 15, 2007, from Matthew 6:1-4.
I know that every single one of us love to give. We deeply desire to give our time, our talents and our resources. But, we are all challenged to do so.
Check out these statistics:
- “On average, Americans are working a longer part of the year to pay their federal, state and local taxes -- effectively having to wait until May 3 to earn money for themselves.”
- “the average taxpayer would have to work 122 days and longer to earn enough to meet all their tax obligations.”
- “The average American is $12,000.00 in debt and has no savings.”
- Newsweek magazine in their 8/27/01 cover article offers a bleak outlook. “Sixty percent of American families actually spend more than their after-tax income while consumers spend $50 billion more than they earned in April alone. Even more astounding is the fact that 32 million families (i.e. 80 million people) run an annual average deficit of $8,160. These people are exhausting their savings, selling off their investments, and still running huge debts. It will take very little to push them into bankruptcy. For many, just a few months out of work or with reduced income will do the trick.”
- “3 in 10 individuals are "not at all satisfied" with their financial situation”
- “5 in 10 individuals are "stressed, overwhelmed and overloaded" and believe they have no time for themselves.”
As we look at our reources, and we are given the directive to give, we can become very overwhelmed. And yet it is in our DNA to give. For a Christ follower giving is in our DNA.
Tony Cartledge, editor, says it this way. “Few things in life are more gratifying to the soul and uplifting to the heart than the ability to give - and everyone has that ability. Even those who are financially destitute can give time and attention to others who need it. But most of us do have the ability to give financially, and my guess is that the happiest among us are also the most generous.
On occasions, I have heard someone say "Give until it hurts."
That is not a particularly effective motivation for most folks.
I'd rather hear someone say "Give until it feels good."
Jesus Christ teaches us how to make the right decisions in giving. Join me in this teaching as we look to the powerful words of Jesus Christ, and may it give you clarity to our ability to live making the right decision to live righteously on this journey.
We have committed to take this journey of faith together, so, update me in how God is challenging you, by e-mailing me,
mark.savage@c3mail.org. I love doing this journey with you. I love doing this journey with you.
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