[CS-FSLUG] Money is part of living in this world.

Sun Dec 26 16:37:30 CST 2004

DAILY DEVOTIONAL    SUNDAY DECEMBER 26, 2004
(Deuteronomy 16:17)

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***Money is part of living in this world.  Jesus understood that and spoke
on money often.  There is much instruction in God's Word on money and how we
are to deal with it.  Money is also a very divisive issue in the church.
The Bible is clear on the issue of giving, but sadly, many have perverted
God's Word on this topic.  I pray this Devotional today will  help you
understand the issue of giving and give you peace in this area of your
relationship with the Lord.

Giving without guilt.  There is probably nothing that upsets me more than
the manipulation and psychological games that too many in the Lord's work
use to generate the finances they need to carry on their mission.
Overseeing a large international ministry that is growing daily, I fully
understand the pressures to raise the needed funds to carry on God's work.
However, I submitted this area to God over a decade ago when I started this
ministry and committed to never do anything that would be unBiblical or
bring shame to Him.  The fact is, my God owns the cattle on a thousand hills
and is more than able to move on the hearts of His people to support His
work.

My first personal encounter with big time Christian fundraising came 14
years ago.  I was backstage with a friend at a Telethon being put on by one
of the larger Christian television stations.  They were only moments from
going on the air when all of a sudden a rather large man with an Irish
accent came up to me and asked me what 1000 divided by 12 was.  It seemed
like a very odd question, but I thought for a moment and told him it was 83
and about a third.  He thanked me, and just moments later he was on the set
with the host of the Telethon on "live" television.  After exchanging a few
pleasantries, the host asked this man if he had anything special to share
with the viewers that evening.

The man with the Irish accent then began to share how he had been in prayer
in his hotel room all afternoon, seeking a special word from God for the
viewers that night.  He stated that after many hours on his knees, God spoke
into his Spirit to share Psalms 83 verse 18.  I opened my Bible and read the
verse and was a little confused what was so special about that verse, but
the preacher began to share that through Christian television people all
over would know the name of Jesus.

I was still a bit confused, until he began to challenge the people that God
wanted them to make a pledge of $83.18 over the next 12 months to that
Christian television station.  It finally sunk in that the only reason he
chose that verse was not from some great revelation God had given to him,
but it was to try and generate $1,000 pledges from the viewers.  I have to
be honest when I tell you that it took every ounce of self control that I
had, not to run onto the set and call this man a liar.  It literally made me
ill.

As many may know, the first 7 years I was in the ministry, I preached in
over 500 churches of all denominations all over the country.  I also was
heavily involved in the Christian television world.  I hosted programs,
consulted with most every major Christian media ministry, and created
programming for all of the Christian television stations in the country.
During this time I have seen every trick, game, gimmick, guilt trip, and
psychological ploy used to get people to give.

Let me tell you right now that major crusades don't take the offering AFTER
an hour of powerful praise and worship by accident.  The largest Christian
television network CANNOT get you out of debt by you giving them $2,000.
There is NOTHING Biblical about "burning your debt!"  NEVER make a pledge
with money that you DON'T HAVE!  Never, EVER, let any church or ministry
intimidate you, or "guilt you" into giving!!!  THAT IS NOT OF GOD!!!

So much of the fundraising and financial pleas I see take God's Word totally
out of context.  Giving to a ministry does NOT guarantee that you will get
back that money plus so many times more.  God blesses our obedience in MANY
ways, not just financially.  Our health is a GREAT blessing.  The health and
safety of our family and friends is a GREAT blessing.  Our old car starting
and getting us from place to place each day is a GREAT blessing.  God moving
in a situation at work or school is a GREAT blessing.

The point is that God DOES bless us for our obedience and faithfulness, God
DOES bless us when we are faithful and obedient in our giving.  But His
blessings come in many forms, NOT just financial.

From day #1 in my ministry, I have done my best to follow the Biblical
formula for giving.  First, giving is an act of worship.  It is a way to
honor God for His provision in our life.  Second, ALL that we have belongs
to Him.  When we give, we are simply giving back to God a portion of what He
has entrusted to us.  Third, the Bible says to "give according to your
ability to give."  You can't give what you don't have, nor does God expect
you to pledge money you don't have!

And yes, we are told to give God a portion of what He gives us right off the
top, but God also expects you to take care of your day to day living needs
as well.  It makes no sense to give God $30 when you have no more money and
you have an electric bill for $30.  PAY YOUR ELECTRIC BILL.  When you are
faithful in tithing to God each week, you will be amazed how God will bless
your finances.   God WILL bless you for your obedience in this area.  Giving
IS important, but giving for the right reasons is just as important.

I love you and care about you so much.  I am sure that I probably greatly
upset some people in the ministry today.  But God never intended people to
give out of guilt, or give because they have been manipulated or tricked.
We are to give because of our love for God.  We give because God has
entrusted each of us with a certain amount of provision during our life, and
it is an act of obedience when we give a portion of that to Him.  The Bible
teaches that we give our tithe to the place where we are fed, which in most
cases is our home church.  Our gifts are what we give to those additional
works of God outside of the church that the Lord uses to feed us spiritually
and gives us a burden for.

When God directed Moses to build the Tabernacle, when God directed David to
build the Temple, He told them both the same thing.  Share the exact need
with the people and challenge them to give.  THAT my friend is the Biblical
example of how to fund God's work.  Go to God's people, share the exact
need, and challenge them to pray and give as God leads them to give.  We are
to give out of our love for God, we are to give because all that we have
belongs to God, we are to give with a joyful heart.....NOT out of guilt!!!

Thank you for standing by me with your love, your prayers, and your
financial support.  It is friends like you that make it possible for me to
be here for people in their time of need.  Together, we are making a
difference for God's Kingdom!  We are to give out of our love for God,
we are to give because all that we have belongs to God, we are to give with
a joyful heart.....NOT out of guilt!!!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email
at bkeller at liveprayer.com

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