Reflections

Draw Near to God – Hebrews 10:19-22

July 29, 2013 by Clay Porr

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:19-22 (NIV)

We are relational beings. God Himself—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is a relational being; and He made us like Himself in that way. We were meant to have relationships with each other and with God. When those relationships are strong, they enhance our lives. When they’re weak, something vital is missing.

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How Much Should I Give?

July 22, 2013 by Clay Porr

⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

² On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

1 Corinthians 16:2 (NIV)

¹² For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

2 Corinthians 8:12 (NIV)

One of the most commonly-asked questions about giving is “How much should I give?” Although the New Testament doesn’t tell us exactly how much we should give, it does give us some guidelines, two of which we’ll highlight today.

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The Law of the Harvest – 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Updated July 12, 2013 by Clay Porr

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NIV)

Some call the Apostle Paul’s statement in verse 6 The Law of the Harvest. The more you sow, the more you’ll reap. The more you give, the more you’ll receive.

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The Foundation of Generosity – 2 Corinthians 8:9

May 13, 2013 by Clay Porr

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

Do you want to give cheerfully and generously? As we saw last week, if we have a heart like God’s we’ll want to be part of what He’s doing in the world around us. We’ll love what He loves. We’ll be excited to give to further His work.

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Give Generously – 2 Corinthians 9:5-7

May 10, 2013 by Clay Porr

⁵ So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. ⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:5-7 (NIV)

What does giving generously mean? How much should I give in order to be generous? Do I have to tithe (give 10%)? Do I have to give until I have nothing left? These are all good questions. But, in this passage the Apostle Paul isn’t focusing on the size of our gifts. Rather, he’s concerned about our attitude, our heart in giving. Generosity begins in my heart, not my wallet.

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Give Cheerfully – 2 Corinthians 9:7

May 6, 2013 by Clay Porr

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Do you enjoy giving? For most of us, the answer depends on the circumstances. If we’re giving to a loved one, we usually enjoy it. If we’re dropping some change or a few bills in the Salvation Army bucket at Christmas, we’re probably glad to be able to help. If we’re giving to the IRS . . . well . . . “cheerful” is not the first term that comes to mind; and we usually don’t think of paying our taxes as “giving.” What about giving to your church? Do you do that cheerfully, or is it more of a chore or duty for you? [Read more…]

Faithful Stewards – 1 Peter 4:10-11

May 2, 2013 by Clay Porr

¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

Being entrusted with something valuable is an incredible privilege and an awesome responsibility. We feel honored that someone trusts us with something they value, but we also recognize that we need to act in a way that honors, rather than betrays, that trust. Our goal is to please the one who entrusted to us what is valuable to them.

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10,000 Hours – 1 Peter 4:10-11

April 29, 2013 by Clay Porr

¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

Researchers tell us that we need about 10,000 hours of practice to become proficient at something. Most people who spend that kind of time perfecting their skills feel proud of their accomplishments.

Of course, no amount of effort can make up for a total lack of innate ability. Some people aren’t built to run fast. Others will never become world-class musicians no matter how much they practice. Few people are as intellectually gifted as Einstein. But, when we have an ability, and when we work hard at developing it, we like to think that we deserve the credit for our efforts.

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The Source of Our Gifts – 1 Peter 4:10-11

April 25, 2013 by Clay Porr

¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

What do you do well? Sing? Teach? Paint? Cook? Design? Write? Encourage? Think? Organize? Entertain? Pray? Lead? Something else? Each of us has multiple gifts, talents, and abilities. What are yours?

Here’s a slightly more difficult question: Who or what is the source of your abilities? Where did they come from? Who should get the credit for them?

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Public or Private Gifts? – 1 Peter 4:10-11

April 22, 2013 by Clay Porr

¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

Are your gifts more of the up-front type or are they more behind-the-scenes? Do people notice when you serve, or do they take it for granted? Our celebrity-oriented, media-driven society tends to place a higher value on talents that are exercised in public; and that can send the message that our less-glamorous abilities are also less important. But that’s not the way God sees it.

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