Pure Magazine

Because Someone Gave

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As some of you know, I am a huge fan of "Youth With a Mission", an international volunteer movement of Christians from many backgrounds, cultures and Christian traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Through YWAM, I was able to travel around Cape York in Australia ministering to the Indigenous of the country.

Since leaving Australia in 2007, I still keep in touch with some of the people I met there and we've become good friends. Recently, the base I attended (Reef to Outback) bought a ship and turned it into a "Medical Ship" bringing free health care to Papa New Guinea. They made a video summarizing their ministry this year. I applaud them for their work and praise God that He has been using them in such a powerful way. Please take a moment to watch it.

The reason I've entitled this article "Because Someone Gave" is because this video inspired me. Well, I guess it's God that inspired me. He is the ultimate inspiration.

In today's culture, we really don't talk about GIVING very much. We talk about "charities" in tax terms; we give money to a homeless person and feel our job is done for the whole month. But, are we really willing to give EVERYTHING for the sake of God's kingdom? If Jesus appeared before you today and asked you to leave all your possessions, your family, your home, your country....would you?

There is a reason that this scripture exists:

Matthew 19:24

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

God didn't say this to judge those that have more money than others. He said this because He knew that human nature is to value physical possessions, family, time, freedom, etc. And the moment that you love something more than God, it becomes an idol.

 "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth."

I don't know about you, but I want to be ready when Jesus asks me to do something. I don't want to walk away sad because he asked me to move to China and sell all my possessions. Believe it or not, there are missionaries all around the world right now that have answered God's call to do that very thing. They gave up their freedom in some cases; they gave up time with their family, left their homes, left their lives....just to GIVE to someone else.

Image borrowed from http://maryjaneryan.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/givingredclothheart.jpeg

This is something that I want you to really think about. Really consider what you are willing to give for the sake of Christ.

I will tell you that my time in Australia was life changing....my other mission trips to Mexico and Slovakia were life changing as well. The reason? I gave.

There is nothing that feels better than to give unselfishly to someone else knowing you will not receive something back in return. And I am not just talking about money...nor am I just talking about global missions. 

What are you doing right now where you are?

Are you a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a smile for a stranger, a warm meal for the sick, a carpool for a co-worker? Think about the people around you. Do you know someone that is in need? How about someone that is hurting?

Luke 21 The Widow's Offering  1 "As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.[a] 3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Life is too short to think about ourselves. Life is too short to be looking more closely at our bank accounts than the condition of our hearts.

Are you ready? Will you be someone that gave? Will you change someone else's life because you were available for God?

What gets in the way?

One thing to note is that Satan doesn't want us to help each other. He doesn't want us to be kind, loving, generous, or anything that resembles Jesus. So, he will try his best to distract you and whisper lies that prevent you from following in Jesus' footsteps.

He will tell you that you can't afford to help a widow buy food for her children. He will say that you don't have the time to help someone fix their car. He will say you can't get involved in someone's problems so you aren't there when they need a friend.

Chances are, you have already faced some of these lies. Satan is the master of lies.

But praise God that He gave us the power to demolish ALL strongholds. He gave us the power to stomp Satan under our feet and tell him he has no power in our lives.

God gave us the ability to give. So, I challenge you to kick satan in the face and give to those around you. I promise you won't regret it.

The Camel

Can you fit?

Mark 10:25

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

In the world today, we face many temptations. We are tempted to commit all kinds of sins. Though most Christians would like to say they've resisted those temptations, many may fall blind to one in particular: The love of money.

It's pretty easy for anyone to fall into the trap of money. Every day, we are faced with ads and promotions basically telling us that money can buy you happiness. If you own these clothes, own this house, own this car, buy this food, you will be happy. And even if you are watching closely, Satan has his way of sneaking in under disguise. This article is meant to bring to light which disguises Satan commonly uses, and to help you understand how to fight against the lies of the enemy.

The Root of All Evil

First of all, we need to clear up one common misconception. Money is not the root of all evil. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil.

1 Timothy 6:10

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Anytime you are placing someone or something ahead of God in your life, you have an idol. Many people have made money their idol without even knowing it. They dream about their future home and forget about the one they already have. They worry about having enough money to retire. They spend more money than they have to live a lifestyle they think they "deserve". The list goes on an on.

It can even happen when you are poor. It's not just the rich man that needs to watch out. Sometimes people can spend their whole life wishing they had more. They can fear what will happen if they don't have a certain amount of money. But, when you fear something, it becomes your God. It becomes greater than the God that promised to take care of those that love Him.

Security

One of the common lies Satan throws at women is that we need money to become secure. Especially in this day and age where women are expected to become financially independent, that can become a major strain...even a major fear. Thus, women are forced to think that without money, they will be left alone. This is an entirely different article, but this is one of the many ways Satan is breaking up families all over the world. There is nothing wrong with a working mother, but often times that fear of needing to get ahead can lead to work-aholic mothers and fathers and ultimately divorce.

Generosity

Another one of the easiest ways Satan can get to you is to convince you that you cannot "afford" to tithe or to give generously. He makes you think that bills come first and tithing comes last if there is something left over. For someone that is "barely getting by" that's all they need to hear. The way that God wants us to think is that He comes first in every situation. He should be the heartbeat of your life, starting with finances. Your financial priorities show all of your priorities.

Luke 12:34

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

First, pay your tithes. Give back to the God that gave you everything. Then, trust in Him that He will provide all of your needs. Don't just give God your leftovers. He deserves so much more.

You will find that the closer you grow to God, the more generous you will seem. I just watched a sermon called, "I Believe in God but I trust in money". You can watch it when you get the time. It's a little long (but worth watching).

 http://vimeo.com/7022714

In the video, they say, "We trust is money to bring us happiness and security. Money can even be the number one competitor for our hearts. When we go deep with Jesus we become strangely content with what we have and we become irrationally generous."

1 Timothy 6:17-19

 "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

I don't know about you, but that is the life I want to live. I want to be content in any circumstance. I want to be generous and willing to share, laying up a treasure for myself in heaven. I want to take hold of the life that is truly life.

But what if the Church misuses the money?

I have heard this many times from people. What happens if the Pastor is hoarding all the money for himself? My answer is that I, too, have thought the same thing from time to time. However, after much soul searching, I've realized that it's not my job to Lord over the church's finances. The people that are there, are there because God allows it. If He wanted me there counting the money and dispersing it to where it should go, then that's where I would be.

1 Peter 2:13

"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority"

Your job is to follow God's commandments to tithe. It is not the dollar amount or the law that matter. It is the condition of your heart. If you are a cheerful giver and know that you are giving out of your heart because you love God, then that's all that matters.

Conclusion

All of us have our weakness. Whether it be eating out, shopping, hobbies, excessive saving, etc., God knows your heart. He desires to be close to you and to have an intimate relationship with you. Do you really want your finances to get in the way of a deep, intimate relationship with God? I know that after some soul-searching I need to make some changes in my life. Being a Christian means that you need to be open to change. God is constantly trying to help us improve our lives for the sake of us. Change hurts sometimes and priorities can be an imposition, but in the long run, you will be much happier knowing that you are in God's will.

Let's all take a look at our checkbooks and make sure that God's check is the first to be written.

Galatians 5:22

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control."

Proverbs 25:28

"Like a city whose walls are broken down

is a man who lacks self-control."

So many times I hear myself utter these five little words, "I need to stop eating." I see the plate before me, I feel my stomach aching, and I smell the pleasant aroma of the food remaining. It's time for a decision: To eat or not to eat? Many times I have found myself wanting in the integrity of my diet.

If you don't understand what I am saying yet, try to relate this to the topic of shopping. Have you ever said, "I really need a new _____." Or, "I really shouldn't be spending money right now, but...________".

I am not trying to stereotype here, but as a woman I can say that the majority of us have done this at one time or another.

One thing that God has been teaching me is that we cannot pick and choose the scripture we want to follow and the one we want to discard. When He says he wants us to have self-control, He means that.

The money that we have is not our's to spend, but it is God's. He owns everything and he wants us to be good stewards with what He has given us.

1 Timothy 6:10

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

We must learn to be content with what the Lord has given us, instead of splurging when something shiny comes our way. We must learn to respect our bodies, as Christ wanted us to. It is disrespectful to God to gorge ourselves on food or drink, or to spend our money foolishly instead of using it to further his church.

This magazine speaks of purity...not just sexual or emotional purity, but purity in all aspects...INCLUDING purity of finances.

I encourage all of the readers to take a very close look at their finances and re-evaluate where their money should be going. I know that God has been teaching me through his Word and I am slowly learning what it means to be a good steward.

Let's pray that God gives us a greater sense of Self-Control so that we are not only able to resist that last piece of chocolate cake, or that purse we want to buy; but also so that we can fight against the attacks of the enemy and not give into temptation.