Giving Boys a Bigger Emotional Tool-Box

Giving-boys-a-bigger-emotional-tool-box

Make Your Money Count By Rev. M.D. Rogers

2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Just as Paul used the example of the Macedonian churches, who gave out of their poverty, to challenge the believers in Corinth to excel in the grace of giving, I would like to provide a few practical exercises to help us move forward in using our money for Kingdom purposes.

First, personalize God’s money. Because God owns all things, He allows us to manage His money while on earth. I have learned that when I assign God’s money a name it forces me to clarify its purpose. For example, if I have cash in my pocket, but have not personalized it I may spend it on things that are unhealthy for me like too many sodas or candy. I believe we spend money more frivolously when it is not given a purpose. We could easily take the $5 a day we spend on coffee each month and sponsor a pastor in Haiti who lives on $150 a month. 

Second, practice giving like God gives to you. How often does God bless you in spite of your unfaithfulness? Several years ago, I decided since God gives to me even when I don’t deserve it that I would try to model that by tipping waiters and waitresses 20 percent of the bill regardless of their service. Sometimes, that has been challenging when the service is bad, but I always try to use the opportunity for Kingdom purposes.

Third, practice random acts of kindness with God’s money. I love going to church with $5 in my pocket, and I pray for God to show me who I could bless. There is a lot of fun in being God’s secret agent. When you give on God’s behalf, people get excited because they know God was thinking about them, regardless of the amount. You can also pay for people’s food in the drive-thru line behind you. Please know your generosity can be a powerful witness to the gospel of Christ. 

There are numerous other examples we could apply to our finances. Just remember, make your money count because you will be held accountable for your money. 

CRITICISM

Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy received endless advice and criticism from the media concerning how he should run the country. Much of it he took good-naturally. In fact, he often used a favorite story in response to the media's comments about how they thought he could do a better job.
He told about a legendary baseball player who always played flawlessly. He consistently hit when at bat and was never thrown out at first. When on base he never failed to score. As a fielder, he never dropped a ball and he threw with unerring accuracy. He ran swiftly and played gracefully.

In fact, he would have been one of the all-time greats except for one thing - no one could ever persuade him to put down his beer and hot dog and come out of the press box to play! Most of us can empathize, for we all have people in our lives who criticize and second-guess. They are quick to point out flaws and quicker yet to offer advice.

When it comes to receiving criticism, I believe it helps to remember first that not all criticism is invalid. Wisdom listens for the kernel of truth and saves it for future growth. But when criticism seems unfair, I believe it helps to remember the hawk. When attacked by crows, it does not counterattack. Instead, the hawk soars higher and higher in ever- widening circles until the pests leave it alone.

When there is nothing to learn from criticism, can you rise above it and soar?

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 
 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.-NASB Translation

FATHER'S DAY 2014

Fatherhood Call to Duty

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/june-web-only/fatherhoods-call-to-duty.html