FIRSTFRUITS FINDINGS NEWSLETTER VOL. 11 NO. 6 December 2006 EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY Extravagant. Beyond measure. Over the top. The Lord set the example of giving motivated by love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Extravagant generosity comes from a heart of love. When we truly grasp the enormity of God’s love to us in the supreme gift of His Son, our giving becomes an overflow of a thankful heart directly back to the Giver. During this season, we celebrate God’s extravagant love and generosity in the birth of Jesus. While He arrived in a most humble way, spending his first hours among animals in a stable, the impact of that arrival has spoken volumes through the ages. Rightly understood, the birth and life of Jesus offers to us the perfect gift. It was given by God out of extreme love. How do we respond to the miracle of Christ’s birth? We worship him, and we come with a thankful heart in response to the greatest gift ever given. We give back to God for the extravagant generosity He has shown us. As Howard Dayton states in Your Money Counts, “If giving is merely to a church, a ministry or to a needy person, it is only charity. But if it is to the Lord, it becomes an act of worship. Because Jesus Christ is our Creator, our Savior and our faithful Provider, we can express our gratefulness and love by giving our gifts to Him. For example, when the offering plate is passed at church, we should consciously remind ourselves that we are giving our gifts to the Lord Himself.” We give because so much has been given to us. To do anything less is to shortchange ourselves and the God who loves us. We return to the Extravagant Giver our time, talent and treasure. And, we know, no matter how much we give, we can never outgive The Extravagant Giver. Our God and Father loves us more than we can possibly imagine. In conclusion, God has given us the best gift heaven can offer. As we begin a new year, we have opportunity to reflect on the impact of God’s love in our lives. God blesses us in order that we might be a blessing. God supplies our every need in order that we might also give good gifts. Do our attitudes -- how we view the use of God’s gifts to us, and our actions -- our lifestyle choices, speak to our understanding that we are the recipients of God’s extravagant generosity? How will you respond, this year, to God’s extravagant generosity in your life? GIVE A GIFT TO YOUR CHURCH FROM YOUR IRA! Many people have asked whether they could make charitable gifts directly from their IRA (Individual Retirement Account). Until now, doing so would create a tax liability for the amount withdrawn. The recent passage of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 makes it possible to provide tax-free gifts from your IRA to your church and other ministries close to your heart. This opportunity may be right for you or someone you know who is age 70 1/2 or older. Gifts of up to $100,000 may be given in both 2006 and 2007 and will qualify for all or part of the required minimum distributions on your IRA. This opportunity is only available for a limited time. To qualify for this year, your tax-free IRA gift must be completed by December 31. Considering a gift to your church from your IRA, here are some important conditions: Gifts are tax-free up to $100,000 per year Gifts will qualify for all or part of required minimum distributions IRA holder must be age 70 1/2 or older Gifts must be an outright gift to a charitable organization Gifts may only be made from traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs If you have questions regarding this opportunity to give, please consult your tax advisor or contact Barnabas Foundation toll-free at 888-448-3040. RECOMMENDED RESOURCE MANAGING OUR FINANCES GOD’S WAY Crown Financial Ministries Are you looking for something to provide insight and practical help in the area of your finances for the new year? This resource was co-developed with Purpose Driven Ministries and Pastor Rick Warren. This 7-week, video-based, small-group study provides an option for studying biblical financial management in either a personal or small group setting. Videos do a nice job of combining personal stories, some humor, and practical Bible-based teaching. You’ll hear from 5 renowned experts on the following subjects: The Big Picture by Rick Warren Dedicate It All To God by Chip Ingram Plan Your Spending by Ron Blue Giving as an Act of Worship by Chip Ingram Saving and Investing by Ron Blue God’s Solution to Debt by Howard Dayton Enjoy What God has Given You by Chuck Bentley DVD $20.00, Workbook $17.00 Order from Crown Ministries at www.crown.org or 800-722-1976 A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR Dear Jesus Savior, You are God’s firstfruits, We thank you. You have given us a personal account filled with gifts, weeks and years, abilities and work. We thank you. Help us to see that we cannot overdraw our account, because it is yours. We thank you. You have asked us to use this account to manage your estate on earth. We thank you. We seek now to return to you the firstfruits of this account --- our clock, our work, our education, our checkbook. Help us to do so wisely, generously, cheerfully. We are grateful. Amen ©Firstfruits: Managing the Master’s Money, Lillian V. Grissen, Barnabas Foundation 1992