Covenant Church

If you measure by feet and inches, Dad was not tall. If you measure by grit, Dad was among the tallest of men.

I was a teenager. Dad was visiting a family in an effort to encourage them toward the Lord. The other man was impressive in size and had the appearance of a man who indulged in carnal living.

Dad was interrupted by the other man who said: “Preacher, I understand what you are saying. I’ll tell you what. Soon as I get straightened out I will be to church.” Of course, this kind of approach is the same as saying: “Preacher, I don’t want to change my life. I don’t want to listen to you anymore. What you are saying makes me feel uncomfortable. I wish you would leave.”

Dad never shuffled a foot. “Well,” Dad responded gently but firmly, “that will be too late. By the time you get things straightened out in your life your toes will be sticking up, and they [pallbearers] will be carrying you into the church” [no exclamation mark].

One of the most graphic paradigms for describing all of humanity is “Givers and Takers.” The Carnal Man (or woman) is ambitious to live life to the fullest on his own terms. Like Lot who lifted his eyes to see lots of grass and water and easy living, the Carnal Man pretends that he is in control of his destiny. The Carnal Man pretends to others that he is smart enough to sail his own ship, chart his own course, determine his own schedule, and decide which ports he will visit in the course of his life.

The Carnal Man pretends that he is entitled to live his life taking whatever he wants from God and others. The Carnal Man assumes that others will do his bidding to his pleasure. The Carnal Man assumes that he is good enough to spend his life and resources on himself. The Carnal Man arrogantly demands of God patience while flesh enjoys sin. But the Carnal Man pretends that the God of Mercy will be lenient when the toes are sticking straight up and the pallbearers are doing their job. Bluntly, the Carnal Man is a Taker! It is all about self.

The Giving Man (or woman) is a different breed. The Giving Man knows that his flesh is ever yelling for First Place. The Giving Man knows that his eye tells his body to get what he sees that he likes. The Giving Man knows that his mind runs to try and rationalize pleasure for the body and eye. The Giving Man is ever in a struggle of balancing his ego between “I have a right” and “I am nothing without Christ.” The war between Good and Evil never stops. The Giving Man knows that he must willingly, purposefully, and with grit ever pursue a course that seems to be dragging the body along the Path of Righteousness and putting blinders on the eyes to only see things of eternal value.

The Giving Man knows that he can never trust his flesh. The Giving Man knows that the value of life is to invest in Jesus’ Church. The Giving Man goes to bed thinking how to give more. The Giving Man rises to think of how he can reach another person, share more of his blessings, and ever remember that Mercy and Grace kissed away his sins. Mercy and Grace have bestowed peace. Mercy and Grace will be the pallbearers into the eternal presence of the Living Son of God.

God gave. He gave his Son to redeem us. Let us be practical. Tithing is not giving. Tithing is paying. It belongs to God. Better to live in a smaller house, drive a used car, shop for clothes at thrift and consignment stores (which can be done out of wisdom, not need) than to cheat God.

The question for every reader is poignant: How will you demonstrate giving in 2007. You probably will receive endless mailings that will gladly take your tithes. You must know that first is first. Tithe first. Giving does not come until after tithes. Even friends will sometimes solicit, but the Giving Man must wisely discern what belongs to God.

The Giving Man must be careful not to allow emotions to rule. The Giving Man must be careful to chart a course of giving that does not bring personal recognition and admiration from other people. Discretion is the rule. The Giving Man must be careful not to give in ways that appease the conscience, yet in the end there is no strategy and the product is not pleasing to the Lord.

Here is what I recommend: Do your giving through the Church. Have one source for charting your giving. Give until you make a difference, i.e., do not give a little to a lot of places. Give to make a difference, not just ease conscience, please a friend, or get your name on the donor list. Even if you are giving to a charity or foundation, give through your local church. Covenant Church is absolutely meticulous about sending 100[%] of funds directly to the organization designated. All funds are disbursed monthly.

One place of giving produces one record. One place of giving can greatly reduce the mailing solicitations that come in the home mailbox. The funds can be sent anonymously or with the name attached, as requested by the Giver.

The Giver gives because giving is his/her nature. The Giver gives wanting to please God more than man. The Giver gives because it is his spiritual nature, not for recognition and human applause.

The Giving Man rejoices for the day when all his giving will have one sweet accolade: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant! (Matthew 25:21). When the toes are sticking up, the applause of men means nothing, but the applause of heaven is eternal!

With love intended for your greater joy in giving,
Pastor Bare