A new convert to the Christian faith was put to work ushering and taking up the offering, and was very enthusiastic in his duties. One day, while taking up the offering, he stopped in front of the town's old miser, who was known never to put anything in the plate. This man paid no attention to him, but the young fellow remained standing, with the plate under the miser's nose. Some of the other ushers tried to signal him to move on, but he continued to stand there. Finally, in a clear voice that carried around the church, he asked the miser, "Ain't you goin' to put anything in the offering?"
"No," answered the miser gruffly. "Well, then," said the usher "take some out. After all, it's for the heathen."

An old country preacher was earnestly exhorting his congregation to give more liberally. He was interrupted by a deacon who said, "Parson, you told us salvation is free -- as free as the air we breathe and the water in the river. If that's true, why are you always asking us for money?" The elderly preacher solemnly replied, "Brother Jones, you're right. Salvation is free -- as free as the water you drink. But if you want that water in the kitchen, somebody has to pay for the pump!"

QUOTE: A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing. - Martin Luther

When God gets his and I get mine,

Then everything goes just fine.

But when I get mine and keep God's too

What do you suppose God is going to do?

… Personally I think He'll collect - don't you?

THE MALACHI BRAND Charles R. Gresham, Grayson, KY

Preacher, A.B. McReynolds branded all of his scrub cattle on Wolf Mountain Ranch in Southeastern Oklahoma with an MX3 brand - meaning Malachi 3, verse 10. He wore this symbol on his ties and had it burned into his furniture. He desired to emphasize the verse that underscores both tithing and the outpoured blessings of God upon those who do.

In an article in Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, reporter Sean O'Neill wrote, "Immediately following WWII people gave proportionately more of their income than they do today." O'Neill reported that the average evangelical Christian today gives only 3.5% of his income. As a result, the average church has to cut back its giving to outreach and missions more than 50%.

Talk show host Dave Ramsey once spoke about how different America would be if all the Christians tithes. He said, "There would be no more welfare in North America. In 90 days, there would be no existing church debts or hospital debts. In the next 90 days, the entire world could be evangelized."

Almost every program, almost every plan for communicating the gospel, costs money. How many times have good ideas been turned down and our vision limited because we're worried about how much these programs will cost?

THE BIBLE'S VOICE ON MONEY Bob Russell in The Lookout 11/5/2000

Brian Sluth, former president of the Christian Stewardship Association, said, "There are 2,350 passages in the Bible dealing with money and material possessions - more than any other subject - but it's the least talked about subject in the church. The church has been silent for too long that people don't understand the responsibilities that undergird a generous lifestyle."

WOULD A MAN ROB GOD? From Mark Nielson of Foster City, CA...
As church ended, my wife and I strolled over to the Sunday school classrooms to pick up our 5-year-old son. As he saw us, his face lit up with a wide grin and he ran over. Opening his hand for us and other parents to see, he proudly displayed a shiny quarter.

He squealed, "Look what I grabbed out of the offering plate when it went by -- and no one even noticed me!" My wife and I both cringed as every adult in the vicinity howled with laughter.

THIS IS WHAT WE THINK OF GOD Sermonillustrations.com

A minister once told me of a very interesting thing that he did in his congregation one Sunday morning. He said that when the ushers had taken up the offering one Sunday and brought the
plates down to the alter rail, he took the plates and held them up in the air and he gave a prayer: "Lord, regardless of what we say about you, this is really what we say about you, this is really what we feel about you. Amen."

GOD’S PEOPLE GIVE Staff, www.eSermons.com, November, 2000.
I think that we should support the church because it makes God happy. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: God loves a cheerful giver. Dr. James I. McCord, then president emeritus of Princeton University Theological School, once told the story of a man who commented that he was never coming back to a particular church because all they ever talked about in that church was give, give, give. Concluded Dr. McCord: I cannot think of a better definition of Christianity than that: give, give, give.
I am convinced that unless you learn to give you can never learn to be fully human. Let me ask you this. If there was a dog walking down the street, healthy coat, obviously in good shape, and he had a bone in his mouth, and that dog passed a flee bitten mutt that was near starvation, do you think that the healthy dog would stop and drop his bone in front of the sick dog? Oh, no. He would clinch his bone that much tighter in his teeth as he passed by. That is the nature of animals. Only man knows how to be a giver.
God is a giver. He gave us life itself. And his ultimate gift was that of his son. What more cherished, more precious, more intimate gift could one give than that of his only child? If we
want to achieve God likeness, we must be givers too. God does not ask us to renounce our possessions. He does ask us to renounce our spirit of possessiveness. He does not ask us to
give up necessitates, but he does ask us to share out of our abundance. The deepest joy in life is not by taking all that we can get, but by sharing all that we have got.

QUOTE: At the end of life, we'll find that the only things we've lost were those we tried to keep.

AS HE LISTENED, SO HE GAVE Timothy Roland Guideposts July/August 99

When the preacher said it was time to collect the tithes and offerings, one little boy took off his tie and placed it on the plate as it came by.

"What are you doing?" asked his mother.

"I’m doing what the minister told us to do," he proudly answered. "I’m giving our ties and offerings."

I LOVE JESUS! Philip Gulley Home Town Tales (Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Pub. 1998)

Pastor Philip Gulley recalls many long Sundays as a child when he would sit through a boring church service and envy his unchurched neighbors. One Sunday, little Philip slipped out of the church and went to the local candy story, where he spent his offering money on Tootsie Rolls. He returned to church just in time to hear the sermon, which was about Ananias and Sapphira. Just to refresh your memory, Ananias and Sapphira were the couple mentioned in the Bible who were struck dead by God for lying about their offering.

After the service, Little Philip prayed passionately for forgiveness for his misdeed. He even stayed up all night chanting, "I love Jesus I love Jesus," in the hopes that this would convince God to spare him.

FRENCH FRIES John Maxwell Proven Principles of Successful Stewardship INJOY

Bob McCune, a U.S. Congressman, tells the story of the time when he took his kids out to eat at a local fast-food restaurant. As he and his kids sat down to eat, Bob smelled the fries in front of one of his sons and reached over to get one.

To his surprise, the young boy grabbed his dad's hand, pushed it back, and exclaimed, "Dad, Dad, don't take my fries!" McCune was stunned. He sat in front of his son in silence and wondered, "What happened?" Then the meaning of this "teachable moment" hit him. He thought, "My son doesn't know where those fries came from.. He doesn't realize that about five minutes ago I went to the counter, put my hand in my pocket, pulled out the money and bought those fries for him. I am the source of those fries. My son doesn't understand that, if I wanted to, I could take those fries away from him. He doesn't realize that, if I wanted to, I could go over to the counter and buy a dozen orders and cover him with fries. He

doesn't know that I don't even need his fries; if I wanted to, I could go over to the counter and buy my own. What I really wanted from my son was his willingness to share with me what I had already given him.

In the classic movie, Shenandoah, the leading character, played by Jimmy Stewart opens the film with a prayer of thanksgiving for the meal. He calls the family in, makes the kids sit still, and prays, "Lord, we plowed the field, we planted the field, we harvested the crop. We cooked it and put it on the table. It wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for our hard work. But we thank you for it anyway. Amen."

ONE FOR EACH 21^ST Century Christian Magazine 1993

Our 3 year old daughter was in the habit of giving half of her 2 quarter allowance to God each week. One Sunday we were out of town, so the next Sunday, we gave her an extra quarter to teach her about "making up" our giving when we miss. She said, "Oh, good, I’ll give one for God and one for Jesus."

We thought that was cute and didn’t think more about it until the following Sunday. When it was back to the regular allowance and she had only one quarter for the contribution, she started crying. We asked her what was wrong and she said, "Where’s the quarter for Jesus?"

Needless to say, she got an immediate raise in her allowance! We are waiting to see what happens when she finds out about the Holy Spirit.

Most of 87 year old Oselola McCarty’s life has been spent working 12 hour days doing other people’s laundry. That’s why people were amazed when she generously donated $150,000 to establish a scholarship fund at the University of Southern Mississippi.

What’s even more amazing is that this gift represented only 60% of her total life savings of about $250,000. When asked how she did it, she simply said she lived modestly, saved regularly and gave generously.

Two men were shipwrecked on a deserted island. The first man began to panic and ran around the small island crying: "we’re lost, we’re lost. No one will ever find us."

The second man caught hold of him and said: "Relax, they’ll find us. I make $1 million dollars a week."

The 1^st man cried: "What difference will that make?" And he continued to run around in circles screaming at the top of his lungs.

Again, the 2^nd man caught hold of him and said: "Relax. I attend church every week."

The 1^st man cried in frustration: "What difference will that make?" And again he ran around the island screaming in hysteria.

Again, the 2^nd man caught his arm and said: "You don’t understand. I make a million dollars a week, I attend church regularly and I tithe… my preacher WILL find me!"

A little girl became restless as the preacher's sermon dragged on and on.
Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?"

A man takes his seat in the theater, but he is too far from the screen. He whispers to the usher, "This is a mystery, and I have to watch a mystery close up. Get me a better seat, and I'll give
you a handsome tip."
The usher moves him into the second row, and the man rewards him with a quarter.
The usher looks at his tip for a second and then leans over to whisper to the man, "The wife did it."

Mother gave Billy 2 quarters. One was for his Sunday School offering. The other was for an ice cream cone on the way home from Sunday School.
Billy was flipping one quarter in the air and catching it on the way down. This happened 8 times or so when all of a sudden Billy missed catching it. It rolled down the storm sewer and
was gone.
Billy looked skyward and prayed, "Sorry, God."

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it 'was too crowded.' "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the preacher as he walked by. The preacher looked on her shabby, unkempt appearance, and guessed the reason - taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class.

The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

About two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for that preacher, to handle her final arrangements. They told him that just as her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school." For two years she had saved for this offering special offering. When the preacher read that note he was in tears… and he knew instantly what he wanted to do.

Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his church leaders to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. And they did!

But the story didn’t end there! A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a Realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. And when he was told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cents.

Church members made large subscriptions. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00 – a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia,

look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300,

and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained.

Visit Good Samaritan Hospital and

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind preacher, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds"

I’LL WRITE Bits & Pieces July 25, 1992

Humorist Robert Benchley was usually a generous tipper, but on one occasion he decided not to tip anyone at the resort hotel he was leaving because the service had been so bad. He pointedly ignored all the hotel employees lined up expectantly, until he reached the final barrier – the doorman.

"You’re not going to forget me, are you, sir?" the doorman said, holding out his hand.

Benchley grasped the outstretched hand and shook it. "No," he said, "I’ll write to you."

THE TEDDY BEAR LADY Arizona Republic Aug. 3, 1997

Most of the people at Chicago’s Children’s Hospital did not know her name. They just knew her as the sweet elderly lady in the vivid red suit who wanted to make sure that every sick child had a teddy bear to hug and caress. She kept bringing the stuffed animals, purchased with her own money, to give to ailing children. That is why she was simply called The Teddy Bear Lady.

Her name was Gladys Holm, a retired secretary for an insurance company, who lived alone in a tiny apartment in Evanston. It wasn’t that she couldn’t afford better, although… no one except her attorney and stockbroker knew she was quite wealthy.

When she died at the age of 86, she had a portfolio worth over $18 million. She had never married and had no heirs. Her will simply directed that the bulk of her estate be given to The Children’s Memorial Hospital. Her gift was to go to medical research so that new methods of treating sick or disabled children might be developed.

The hospital authorities were absolutely shocked by the news. No one had the slightest idea that the tall happy woman delivering teddy bears to ailing children had such wealth. As they began to piece together more of her life’s story, they discovered something else. They learned that the gifts of teddy bears were really a ruse. She gave away teddy bears to learn more about the financial resources of the families of the children. When she learned that parents did not have hospitalization or enough to cover medical expenses, she very quietly had taken care of their bills.

One wonders if Gladys Holm was simply putting into practice what the One known as Great Physician had recommended: "When you give… sound no trumpet before you… When you give… do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift may be in secret…" (Matthew 6:2-4)

At the hospital’s memorial service for Gladys, someone had put a teddy bear on every chair.

SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT HER OFFERING Eric Hulstrand in Leadership Fall 96, p. 68

While I was preaching one Sunday, an elderly woman, Mary, fainted and struck her head on the end of the pew. Immediately, an EMT in the congregation called and ambulance.

As they strapped her to a stretcher and got ready to head out the door, Mary regained consciousness. She motioned for her daughter to come near. Everyone thought she was summoning her strength to convey what could be her final words.

The daughter leaned over until her ear was at her mother’s mouth. "My offering is in my purse," she whispered.

Three boys were in school telling their teacher what their fathers did for a living. The first boy said, "My father writes words on a piece of paper and calls it a poem. He gets $100. The class was impressed. The next boy said, "That’s nothing. My father writes words on a piece of paper. He calls it a song and gets paid $1,000." The third boy said, "My father writes words on a piece of paper, and he calls it a sermon. It takes four people to carry all the money!"

WE’RE OUT OF ONE DOLLAR BILLS Clara Null, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

For years we lived in a small town with one bank and three churches. Early one Monday morning, the bank called all three churches with the same request. "Could you bring in Sunday’s collection right away?" We’re out of one-dollar bills."

A mother wanted to teach her daughters a moral lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church.

"Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself," she told the girl.

When they were coming out of church, the mother asked here daughter which amount she had given.

"Well," said the little girl, "I was going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the man in the pulpit said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I’d be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did."

A little boy was given $10 in bills by his grandfather. His mother listened as he counted out the first dollar to God and then the last of the 10 to God. "Oh no, honey," she admonished him, "our tithe to God would only be $1 out of the ten." "Oh I know," he responded, "the first dollar I gave him because I had to... the last dollar I gave him because I wanted to."

GIVING WHAT YOU FEEL IS PROPER Pulpit Helps, 1/97 p. 8

A preacher was getting his hair cut. The barber and those in the barbershop didn't know he was a preacher and began talking about giving to the church. The barber said, "I feel one should give what they feel is proper." When time to pay for the haircut, the minister handed the barber one dollar instead of the usual $10. The preacher said, "You said a person should give to the church what they felt was proper, so I feel the one dollar is proper for your work." Of course, the preacher paid the full amount, but the men in the barbershop got his message.

WITH A CROWD LIKE THIS, I'M LUCKY Bob Russell in "The Lookout" 5/5/96

Charles Spurgeon was a great preacher in England during the 19th century. After an evangelistic meetings, he would pass around his huge top hat, collecting money for an orphanage he supported. Once he passed the hat and got nothing. Someone asked if he was disappointed. "No," he said, "with a crowd like this, I'm just glad to get my hat back!"

GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER Bill Gothard Ministers' Gathering 3/96

Many Christians give God their off casts rather than their best. They fail to grasp that if it's not good enough for you it's not good enough for God. As a result they rob themselves of many of God's best blessings. One family learned the truth by accident. They had heard of a young family that had decided to enter the ministry, but whose vehicle was in such sad shape that it seemed it might not survive the trip to Bible College. The husband and wife of this other church family determined that since they needed to buy a new car anyway, that they would have their old car fixed up and given to Bible College student.

Entering the Car Dealership, owned by a new convert to their church named Boone Fields, they explained to the car salesman their intentions and were desiring to buy a brand new Chevy Caprice Classic. As the papers were being drawn up for the car they had chosen, the husband was suddenly struck by the thought that this was not giving of his best to God, but only giving God his leftovers. Leaning over to his wife he shared his conviction and discovered she was of the same mind. Suddenly, they told the salesman that they had changed their mind and wanted to give the new car to the student and fix their car up for use for another couple of years. The salesman was astounded and questioned them to be sure they knew what they were doing. Then shrugging his shoulders he drew up the new paperwork. They left their old car with the dealership to be repaired and got a ride home.

When the dealership called to tell them their car was ready, they came in and were greeted by the towering 6'4" Boone Fields himself. He beckoned them into his office and told them his salesman had related to him what they had done for the college student. Never in all his days as a car salesman had he ever seen anything like it. He talked on for several minutes and then took them out to the lot directing them to a new Chevy Caprice Classic much like the one they had originally chosen but with an additional $3700 worth of extras and said that it was theirs. "The same God who led you do what you did is giving this car to you."

For just a moment, let's thing about basics. There is no place in the New Testament where a Christian is told he can be honest with God and give less than 10%. Unemployment, inflation, taxes, the economy have nothing to do with the percentage we give to the church - 10%. The basics of giving are, we do not give equal gifts; we ask for equal sacrifice. All who will read this believe the Bible. Did you know prayer is mentioned 371 times, love 714 times, and giving 2162 times? Where does the Bible put greater emphasis?

Once again it is the end of year, and every Christian organization badgers its constituents for funds to balance the year's budget. It is hard not to resent such pleas. But President Pearson of Miami Christian College offers us a sobering reminder to be patient:

"The trouble is, you are always asking for money. You are probably right. But let me

tell you a personal story.

"I had a little boy; my firstborn. He was a delight to our hearts, but he was always costing me something. He needed clothing shoes, food, and had special needs that I gladly provided, for he was my son. Then one day he died. It was an experience that I hope you will never have. He does not cost me a dollar now.

"Every need is an unfailing sign of life and growth. Body, mind, and soul have their needs and these must be met continually. A ministry that is constantly in need of funds is alive and growing and going somewhere. A dead ministry has no need, and will not bother you."

I would like to share with you a story with an important point. Once upon a time, there were some animals on a farm who got into an argument over who was most valuable. The cow said she was because she gave milk for the farmer. The sheep's argument was he gave farmer his wool. The chicken felt she was because of her eggs the farmer could have for breakfast. Even the cat got into the conversation. Think how much grain the farmer would lose if I didn't rid the mice. Now there was a puppy dog who says, "I must not be very valuable at all, I don't give milk, or wool, or eggs or even catch mice, I am no good at all." What the little puppy dog didn't realize was the farmer loved the little puppy dog best of all. Why do you suppose that was? Well, when farmer came home after long hard days, the little puppy ran out with his wagging tail and gave little barks of joy. When the farmer would stoop down to pet the puppy, he would happily lick his whole face. What the puppy knew how to give better than any of the other animals was his love.

I hope you know there is not much you and I can give God. After all, God has everything. But we can give him our love, we can give Him our hearts. And you know what? He likes that.

A little girl came home from Sunday School wanting a can of food to help fill a basket for needy people. As her mother was scanning the pantry shelves, she suggested, "You can take these cans of sardines that none of us likes."

The little girl's face fell in disappointment. "But that means the poor people are helping us."

The story has helped me re-evaluate my benevolence. There is nothing wrong with giving what we no longer use. In fact, I gave a suit to our clothes bank this week. However, I do not want closet cleaning to be my total expression of compassion.

"Why should we give money to save the heathen abroad when there are heathen in our own country to save?"

There are other "whys" equally as logical.

"Why should I give money to those in other parts of this country when there are needy ones in my own state?"

"Why should I give to the poor in the town when my own church needs the money?"

"Why should I give to the church when my own family needs it?"

"Why should I give to my family when I need it myself?"

"Why?"

Because I am a Christian, not a heathen.

WHEN I GIVE NOTHING:

I cast a vote to close the church.

WHEN I GIVE LESS THAN LAST YEAR:

I have experienced a decrease in income or I have changed my priorities, or I question the need for the work the church is doing.

WHEN I GIVE LESS THAN ONE-TENTH OF MY INCOME:

I do less than what was required of the poorest Jew.

WHEN I GIVE GRUDGINGLY:

I find no joy in my giving. I am a disappointment to the Lord, for God loves a cheerful giver (II Cor.9:7)

QUOTE: One of the best tests of religion is to find yourself in church with nothing less than a 20 dollar bill in your wallet. (For Benefit of Clergy quoted in Reader's Digest May 89 p.130

GOD'S ARITHMETIC Today 10/27/91

A large metropolitan church recently received a gift of $150,000 from a corporate millionaire for a new organ. At the organ dedication, the donor was recognized with speeches, accolades, and a plaque of appreciation.

Meanwhile, in the same church, an elderly woman living on Social Security has been faithfully giving her small weekly gift in the offering plate. She has carefully managed her resources and is able to make ends meet, but it is tough. Each week she has gladly set aside her tithe for the church. She has never been honored for her giving; she has never received a plaque of appreciation.

Now, in the eyes of God... who has given more?

GIVING TO GOD Pulpit Helps 12/92 p.8

Years ago, it was the custom for people to bring their gifts to the front of the church. A well known preacher was making an appeal to the people to give to a good cause. Many came to present their offerings of love. Among them was a little crippled girl who hobbled along at the end of the line. Pulling a ring from her finger she placed it on the table and made her way back up the aisle.

After the service, an usher was sent to bring her to the preacher's study. The preacher said, "My dear, I saw what you did. It was beautiful. But the response of the people was so generous that we have enough to take care of the need. We do not feel right about keeping your treasured ring, so we have decided to give it back to you."

To his surprise, the little girl vigorously shook her head in refusal. "You do not understand," she said. "I did not give my ring to you, I gave it to God!"

"Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7)

ANGEL ON A DOORSTEP R.Digest 12/92 p.9ff

Shirley Bachelder tells of the time back in November '62, when Ben, the milk man who delivered bottled milk to their doorstep, arrived sullen and angry to deliver the milk one day. When asked why, Ben replied that he'd been bilked on two bills - one for $10 and another for $79. The larger bill bothered him because it was owed by a woman with 6 children who he had carried because of her sob story about her husband getting a second job - then she could pay up.

Day after day, Ben came to the doorstep angry when Shirley came up with a suggestion. Why not just "give the woman the milk. Make it a Christmas present to the kids who needed it."

Ben replied "Are you kidding? I don't even get my wife a Christmas present that expensive."

"You know the Bible says," she noted: "'I was a stranger and you took me in.' You just took her in with all her little children."

"You mean she just 'took me in.'" He replied.« Repeatedly she brought the thought up day after day. Then one day, Ben showed up bright and cheerful. "I did it!" he said. "I gave her the milk as a Christmas present. It wasn't easy, but what did I have to lose? It was gone, wasn't it? And I really feel better. That's why I have a good felling about Christmas. Those kids had lots of milk on their cereal just because of me."

Two weeks into January, Ben showed up grinning and said "Wait till you hear this!" He explained he had been on different route covering for another milkman when he found a woman come running down the street towards him, waving money. It was the woman with the 6 kids. She was carrying an infant in a tiny basket. She explained that she really had been meaning to pay him, but they had moved to a cheaper apartment and her husband had gotten a night job. With all that had happened, she'd forgotten to leave a forwarding address.

"But I've been saving," she said. "Here's $20 towards the bill."

"That's alright, Ben replied. "It's been paid."

"Paid!" she exclaimed. "What do you mean? Who paid it?"

"I did."

Then she looked at as if he were the Angel Gabriel and started to cry.

The milkman just put his arm around her and started crying too. "I didn't have the foggiest idea what I was crying about. Then I thought of all those kids having milk on their cereal, and you know what? I was really glad you talked me into this."

IRRIGATE HIS FIELD Basic Youth Seminar, Bill Gothard

Two Chinese Christian brothers had built a dike to hold the water they wanted to use to irrigate their fields. A neighbor went up at night and put a hole in the dike so that the water ran down onto his field and met his needs instead. Each day, the brothers forgave their neighbor and hauled water up to their dike having repaired the breach. Each night, the neighbor broke down the wall to bring water down to his field.

Obviously this was giving the brothers no reason for joy and so they approached their minister to ask what they should do. "Irrigate his field," he replied. So, they set out to deliberately do what their neighbor had sought to do by stealth and each day they irrigated their neighbor's field as well as their own. In the process they gained a new joy in farming. Then one day, their neighbor came to them and asked for them to teach him about this Jesus that they served and he became a Christian because of their witness in the fields.

INVEST IN EMBEZZLER Basic Youth Seminar, Bill Gothard

A man had embezzled $27,000 from a partnership he had with a Christian couple. The Christians became embittered, couldn't sleep well at night and were so troubled that they approached their minister asking what they should do. Their preacher advised that they find a way to "invest" in their former partner. After prayer and discussion, they decided that they would find a financial need that he had and meet it. Learning that he had to move and needed $3000 to do so, they gave that sum to him. Almost immediately, the wife began to sleep better and the bitterness left them. They relate that they believe that God has begun compensating them financially because of their faithfulness in this.

THE TIP from "Bits & Pieces" Vol. N, No. 3 p. 7

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 yr. old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?"

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number of coins in it. "How much is a dish of plain ice cream?" he inquired.

Some people were now waiting for the table and the waitress was a bit impatient. "Thirty five cents," she said brusquely.

The little boy again counted the coins. "I'll have a plain ice cream," he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier, and departed. When the waitress came back, she picked up the empty plate and then swallowed hard at what she saw. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were 2 nickels and five pennies - her tip.

BANKING BY THE BOOK Guidepost May '93 p. 40

A small bank in Midland Park, New Jersey, receives deposits and makes loans, but ever since its founding 8 years ago, Atlanta Stewardship has been committed to something unusual - giving money away. The original investors decided that the bank would donate 10 percent of its pretax profits. In 1992 it gave away some $80,000 benefiting everything from missions in Africa to the local YMCA. One of the few signs of its tithing effort can be found on a promotional brochure: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (I Peter 4:10). Every year assets have grown and profits have increased, as Atlantic Stewardship Bank lives up to its middle name.

QUOTE: Byron Frederick on Giving: "The world is composed of takers and givers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better."

PRAYING OR DOING? THE ANGOLA CHRISTIAN may 94

Tony Campolo, a popular Christian writer, was visiting a Christian Woman's Club. At the meeting, the president read an appeal letter from a missionary who needed $4,000 for an immediate need. After reading the heart-rendering letter, the president said, "I'm going to ask our guest speaker to lead us in prayer that God will meet the need of this dear missionary. Brother Campolo, would you pray? He said "No." The president was stunned. "No, I won't pray for God to meet the needs of this missionary. But I'll tell you what I will do. I'll give every dime of cash I have in my pockets and place it on the table. I'm asking each of you to do the same. If we don't have $4,000, I'll pray for God to meet their needs. I challenge you to give what you have now. No credit cards , no checks. He emptied his wallet. Reluctantly, 300 women emptied their purses. The amount laid on the table was well over $4,000. Campolo said, "you see, we didn't need to pray that God would provide the resources. It was already there. We had to pray to let it go."

TAKE THE QUARTER, I'LL HIDE - Homiletics

A little boy was in church one Sunday morning with his grandmother. All went well until the offering time. Then the Grandmother began to search frantically for her offering envelope, but she couldn't find it. She had left it on the dresser. Embarrassed, she kept looking through her purse for something to put in the collection plate. Seeing her dilemma, the little boy rose to the occasion: "Here, Gramma, you take my quarter and put it in, and I'll hide under the seat.

NOT LETTING GO OF THE GIFT R.Digest 6/94 p.166

Georgia Creegan, a talented amateur singer in northern Utah, worked in an office to put her husband, Michael, through college. He parents gave her $1000 for vocal lessons because, as her mother said, "we want you to develop your ability to the fullest." But before she could start her lessons, Michael's tuition came due. Since the couple had agreed their top priority was for him to finish college, Georgia used the gift to pay the tuition instead.

Soon Georgia's parents avoided visiting when Michael was home. If he answered the telephone, they brusquely asked to speak to her. Worse yet, they began expressing doubts about him as a husband. Concerned, Georgia asked her parents why they were acting that way.

"We liked Michael at first," her mother explained. "But he isn't helping you develop your talents. Look at the way he pressured you into spending our money on his tuition instead of your voice lessons."

That money was a gift, Georgia thought, surprised and slightly annoyed. Why couldn't we spend it any way we wanted? To keep peace, she explained to her mother that she had paid the tuition willingly and promised to start saving for singing lessons. But she vowed to think twice before accepting money from her parents again.

It's not what you'd do with a million

If a million were your lot.

It's what you are doing at present

With the dollar and a quarter you've got.

FISHY FAITH PROMISE Butler Beacon Nov. 8, 1994

A few years back, Harry Reinfelder attended a Faith Promise Rally at his church, and decided to give a certain amount of money. His immediate first notion was that even if God did not give him the extra money, he would be able to pay it anyway.

After further thought, he decided that his philosophy went against the whole concept of faith giving - giving back to God - so he made a faith promise of "thousands of dollars," and determined "it had to be from God."

His promise set the wheels in motion for God to perform a series of events that would exceed his wildest dreams.

Reinfelder made the pledge in the fall, and months later God still had not supplied the money. His wife Nancy thought the money was supposed to be paid monthly, but Reinfelder told her if God wanted them to pay it, He would provide first.

In the spring, however, his faith promise became reality.

Reinfelder and his wife owned and operated a resort on Munuscong Bay in Michigan's upper Peninsula. One day Reinfelder received a call from the Michigan Outdoors television program, asking if they could do a show from the resort with Reinfelder.

After the crew arrived, Reinfelder was delayed and couldn't take them out until long after the generally accepted fishing time. A he was getting ready to go fishing, "something told me to get a salmon net," which is a larger net than what he had originally prepared.

Reinfelder used light tackle and no steel leader, and a walleye fishing lure. A short time later, "I hooked into what I thought was a snag. At the same time, I heard the cameraman turn the camera on."

What he thought was a snag, turned out to be a 50 inch muskie. After playing the fish for 5 to 7 minutes, a very unusual thing happened, "the fish became docile and laid on the surface." At that time, he used his salmon net, "which the fish swam into - all recorded on film."

It was at that time that Reinfelder realized that God would supply the money through "publicity and notoriety." He was right. After being televised on Michigan Outdoors, his business skyrocketed, providing three times in profit what his original faith promise had been.

When Reinfelder took the money to the preacher and told him that he was the one who had made the large pledge, the preacher had his own story. When he saw the card and the amount of money pledged, he thought it was a kid playing a joke and threw the card away!

In addition to providing the faith promise, the muskie has opened other doors for Reinfelder to minister. He was able to sell his resort and go to work for a business that provides flexible hours for his new ministry. He now travels to various churches telling his "fish story." "People have accepted Christ because of that story," he says.

Frank Fried said:

"Folks, the grass is not greener on that side of the fence. And the grass is not greener on this side of the fence. The grass is greener where you water it."

GIVE LIKE A SHEEP -- Tan Huma Rabbinic Literature

If you give to charity while you are poor, you will eventually give in days of wealth. If you do not give while you are rich, you will eventually abstain from giving because of poverty. God has willed that there be two hands in the matter of charity -- one that gives and one that receives. Thank God that yours is the hand that gives. Say not, "I will miss what I give." Be like the sheep who give their wool and have no less the next year because they have given.

There are three kinds of givers -- the flint, the sponge and the honeycomb. To get anything out of a flint you must hammer it. And then you get only chips and sparks. To get water out of a sponge you must squeeze it, and the more you use pressure, the more you will get. But the honeycomb just overflows with its own sweetness. Which kind of giver are you?

I have never known a generous person to complain about how much money it takes to run a church. Poor givers gripe about how much it takes; generous givers express concern that they don't do more.

I have never known a family who tithed for any length of time who quit.

I have never known a generous family that was not generally happy.

I have never known a stingy, miserly family that was not generally unhappy about many things.

I have never known a person who was critical of most things, mad about many things, who was generous.

I have come to believe that most people who feel we talk too much about money, never really want to talk about money at all. Generous people enjoy talking about it.

I have come to believe that there is a direct connection that exists between a person's faith and a person's generosity. Those who give generously tend to become more faithful; and the reverse is true in both instances. (copied)

In January because of Christmas bills due.

In February because of fuel bills and car upkeep.

In March because of income taxes.

In April because of clothes for Easter.

In May because too much rain threatens the crops.

In June because too little rain threatens the crops.

In July because of vacation expenses coming up.

In August because of vacation expenses to be paid.

In September because of the children's school needs.

In October because of winter clothes and doctor bills.

In November because of the Thanksgiving trip.

In December because of the Christmas shopping.

SACRIFICIAL GIVING -- Reported in "The Other Side"

According to a Gallup survey, almost half the total charitable contributions in the United States comes from households with incomes of less than $30,000.

August H. Francke, the well-known German preacher of the 17th century, founded an orphanage to take care of the homeless children who roamed the streets of Halle. One day when he desperately needed funds to carry on his work, a destitute Christian widow came to his door begging for one gold ducat. Because of his financial situation, he politely but regretfully refused. Disheartened, the woman sat down and began to weep. Moved by her tears, Francke asked her to wait while he went to his room to pray about the matter. Seeking God's guidance, he felt that the Holy Spirit wanted him to grant the request. Trusting the Lord to meet his own pressing needs, he gave her the money. Two mornings later he received a warm letter of thanks from the widow saying that because of his generosity she had asked the Lord to shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day he received 12 ducats from a rich lady and two from a friend in Sweden. He thought he had been amply rewarded, but shortly afterward he was informed that Prince Lodewyk Van Wurtenburg had died, and in his will had directed that 500 gold pieces be given to the orphanage! Francke wept in gratitude. In sacrificially providing for that needy saint, he had not been impoverished but enriched.

We should always give with pure motives, "hoping for nothing again" (Luke 6:35); yet God does promise, "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack!"

PRIMING THE PUMP -- Adapted from "Tough Times Never Last"

A hiker was thirsty for a drink, but could not find water, until he came to an abandoned house. There he found a pump, and proceeded to pump with all the strength he had remaining. No water came forth. Then he saw a small jug with a cork at the top and a penciled note, directing that the water in the jug be poured into the pump to prime it. At first the thirsty man questioned this, but when he followed directions he obtained satisfying water. Before going his way, he filled the jug with water so the next thirsty person could secure water. He added to the note, "Believe me, it really works. You have to give it all away before you can get anything back."

Robert Schuller in telling this story reminds us of the principle stated by the Apostle Paul, "he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Cor. 9:6).

J. L. Kraft, head of the Kraft Cheese Corporation, who had given approximately 25 percent of his enormous income to Christian causes for many years, said, " The only investments I ever made which have paid constantly increasing dividends, is the money I have given to the Lord. Pastors will do their greatest service in leading their men to understand the truth of God concerning the stewardship of time and money."

John D. Rockefeller explained a great principle when he said: "I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 a week."

There are notable exceptions. Says Fritz Kreisler, the world's distinguished violinist: "I never look upon the money I earn as my own. It is public money. It is only a fund entrusted to my care for proper disbursement. I am constantly endeavoring to reduce my needs to the minimum.... In all these years of my so-called success in music, we have not built a home for ourselves. Between it and us stand all the homeless in the world."

From the beginning of his business career, John Wanamaker, merchant prince of Philadelphia, is said to have dedicated one tenth of his increase to the Lord. Likewise, William Colgate, the great soap and perfume manufacturer, rose to fame and wealth while consistently paying a tithe of his earnings into the gospel treasury. This he recognized as the minimum requirement designated by divine wisdom; and year by year as God prospered his efforts and multiplied his wealth, Mr. Colgate gladly gave far more than a tenth. Today a great Christian university stands as a monument to his fidelity and generosity.

AIR DELIVERY From: July 94 Guidepost, p 13 -Lucille Johnson Goodwin, Crossnore, N. C.

After taking our four-year old grandson, Mark Steven, to a movie, we stopped for a bite at a family restaurant. On the way out, the cashier gave him a big red helium balloon on a string. He played with it all the way to the car. As I opened the door for him to get in, Mark Steven let go of the string and watched the balloon disappear into the blue sky. "Why did you do that?" I asked.

"I gave it to God to play with."

GOD ONLY GIVE CREDIT FOR WHAT WE INTENDED "The Exciting Church Where They Give Their Money Away" by Charlie W. Shedd

When the offering plate had gone by him, Mr. Penurious discovered to his horror that he had made a serious mistake. He had put in ten instead of the one he intended.

After the service, he went promptly to the head usher and explained his dilemma. Didn't want to cause any trouble, of course. Especially, he'd like to avoid publicity. But was there some way he could retrieve the nine without too much commotion?

Nice man, but this head usher. Very understanding. Good listener. But after hearing the full account, he said in his kindliest voice, "I'm sorry, Mr. P., the money has been counted. No way to handle it without somebody knowing."

On pondering the ramifications, Mr. P. regretfully decided to drop the matter. But he did ask the head usher, "Will I get credit for the ten?"

"Afraid not," the nice man answered, "I think I've heard our preacher say God only gives us credit for the dollar we intended."

IF YOU'D PUT MORE IN... ibid.

A minister took his little boy with him one night to a small church where he'd been invited to preach. At the entrance of the church building, they passed a little table with a box on it and a sign which read "Alms Box."

Reaching into his pocket, the preacher took out 50 cents and dropped it in. When the service was over, one of the deacons approached. "Preacher," he said, "we have a custom in this church of paying our evening minister the contents of the alms box." Whereupon he removed the lid, poured the money into the preacher's hand, and you guessed it! One lone fifty cent piece.

As they made their way to the car, the precocious youngster turned to his father and said, "Hey, dad, I just thought of something. If you'd put more in, you'd have got more out."