FIRSTFRUITS FINDINGS NEWSLETTER VOL. 9 NO. 3 MAY-JUNE 2004 A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR During the past year we have shared our thoughts regarding habits of highly effective stewards. Our desire has been for you to reflect on your habits and to make changes as needed. Why? Because we have learned that being an effective steward reflects our relationship with God. One of the toughest challenges for us as Christians is how we handle money in a materialistic society. The fact that 2,100+ verses in the Bible and nearly half of Jesus' parables deal with financial considerations demonstrate its importance. A group of us from Barnabas Foundation has been studying a book by Randy Alcorn entitled, "The Law of Rewards". What has impressed us is the number of passages of scripture encouraging us to handle our money appropriately because it will affect our position in eternity. Sobering? We are all aware that mismanagement of money has brought pain to many homes. Adding an eternal reason to be faithful gives us added encouragement to be faithful and generous with all our gifts, including money. ~ Norm Vander Wel 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE STEWARDS This is the last in a series of seven in which we will reflect on the habits of a highly effective steward: Habit 1 - Be Thankful with an attitude of gratitude. Habit 2 - Trust God to provide for our needs. Habit 3 - Be Content in God's provision. Habit 4 - Be a Faithful Example to our children. Habit 5 - Live Within Your Means Habit 6 - Give Time and Talent Habit 7: Give Treasure When we submit our hearts to Jesus Christ, we are to heed the instruction of Prov. 3:9, Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. We are to give God the first part of all we earn, not the leftovers. This area of generosity is a test of our loyalty to Christ. Do we really love God more than money? When we give, we are demonstrating the depth of our understanding of the grace of God. Everything we have is a gift from God. If we are grateful Christians, we will be giving Christians. You can give without being thankful, but you cannot be thankful without giving. The polling data has been clear. Gallup and Barna have tracked giving as it relates to income. The more money Christians make, the less likely they are to tithe: 8% of those making less than $20,000 a year tithe, while 4% of those making $40,000-$59,999 tithe, and only 1% of those making $75,000-$99,999 tithe (Barna Research Group,Ventura, CA 1999). We have the ability as our income goes up to be financially involved in greater ministries. God is not against prosperity, but He is for the advancement of His Kingdom. Are we consciously and prayerfully making wise spending decisions so our income will positively affect the Lord's work? Our relationship with God is influenced in great part by our attitudes and by our actions. Our giving is an outward expression of a deep spiritual commitment and is an indication of a willing and grateful heart. ? YOU CAN'T DO BOTH In the parable of the rich young ruler (Mark 10), the young man found it difficult to acknowledge the fact that he couldn't serve God with all his heart, soul, and mind and then reserve some piece of it to serve his worldly interests. He went away sorrowfully. "This is an example," says Jesus, "of not being a good steward." He adds, "It is hard for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of heaven." Why? Because everything we own has a "hook" in us, and that hook ties us back to this world. But this world is not the real world. It is passing away. And things make it much harder for us to step from this world into the kingdom of God. That is why Jesus told parables of the kingdom. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a man searching for fine pearls. One day he finds a pearl of great price, and it is worth everything to Him. So he sells all he has to have that pearl." (Matt. 13) What does he give for it? Everything. Imagine going to God and saying, "I'd like the kingdom of heaven, please." And God says, "All right." Then you say, "What does it cost?" He replies: "Everything you've got." You say, "Everything?" "Everything!" "Well, God, that's not very much!" "How much do you have?" "Well, $5.40." "All right. I'll take that. Is that all you have?" "It's all I have with me. I have more in my checking account." "Oh, you have a checking account? It's mine." "All right, everything in my pocket, everything in my checking account! No problem. I can do with my savings." "Oh, you have savings? That's mine as well." "You're going to take my cash, my checking and my savings account?" "Everything." "How will I pay my mortgage?" "Oh you have a house? The house is mine too." "What am I going to do? Live in my car?" "You have a car? Car's mine too." "Where will my family and I sleep?" "You have a family? The family is mine. What else do you have?" "That's all--cash,checking acount, savings account, house, car, children, wife, everything." "Oh," God says. "One more thing. You too. You are mine as well." That's the cost of the pearl of great price. And it's available to everyone. But you cannot serve two masters! Our task as stewards is to see that God's desires are realized. ? Used by permission Dynamic Steward, Silver Spring, MD TIPS TO TRY CLEVER COST-CUTTING IDEAS TO USE AT HOME Perimeter. Concentrate on the perimeter of the grocery store rather than the center aisles. Around the outside is where you'll find healthier food with the least packaging and processing: produce, meats, fish, and dairy. Coffee. A pinch of salt into the dry coffee grounds will remove any bitterness. To remove most pet hair from furniture between vacuuming, put on a pair of latex gloves and rub your hands over the furniture in one direction. Hair will clump for easy removal. RECOMMENDED RESOURCE "GOTTA HAVE IT" LifeWise-CRC Publications Money is king in the eyes of today's materialistic society. Use this course to help teens discover how coveting possessions affects us every day--and how our lifestyle choices and practices can reflect our Christian commitment. This is a four-lesson study dedicated to issues that are important to young people, and are intended to create a forum for discussion of important issues. (Leader's Guide $9.25, student booklet $3.50) Order from CRC Publications: www.faithaliveresources.org or call 800-333-8300.