Tithe

Last Updated on Monday, 02 November 2009 10:40 Written by Matt Beckner Monday, 02 November 2009 10:31

I love making movies and doing videography, therefore it is no surprise that there are many things, like professional cameras, expensive editing gear, and computer software that I would love to have. I know I can’t afford all this nice garb to make high end movies, so I have to save my money. The reason I can’t afford this is because I have a few more things that are more important to me. For one thing, I love my family, so anything they need would come before videography equipment. Also, we have bills we need to pay like car, utilities, and a house payment. Videography just doesn’t seem like it should go before all that stuff.

If you think about it, God had a number one priority on his mind when he created the vast universe. It was you. You have been on God’s mind from the beginning. Nothing to Him is more important than having a relationship with you. For he loved you so much, he sent his one and only son to die for you. It was his offering that has made a way for you. Jesus Christ gave all.

If we think about offering or tithe, a lot of people think it’s a way for a church to get a new power point projector, or new Sunday School curriculum. Tithing is a symbol from you to God saying “I choose to put You first in my life.” What does God ask... 10%. God. The creator of the universe. The same God who gave all on the cross for you and for me, asks a tenth (or tithe).

In Luke 6:38 it says: If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together, to make room for more, and running all over. Whatever measure you use in giving large or small it will be used to measure what is given back to you.

It hardly seems fair... we give so little but God gives so much.

Imagine... If God does this much blessing for a tenth, what would He do if we gave all?

Armchair Quarterback

Last Updated on Friday, 30 October 2009 09:28 Written by Matt Beckner Friday, 30 October 2009 09:03

Every time I want to relax at home I usually sit in my "Lazy Boy" recliner chair. The name I think is fitting because once I'm in it I am totally lazy. I call my kids from other rooms to come and hand me things, and I have even been known to put off going to the bathroom just because it's sooo comfortable.

If we look at our "Christian Walk" closly we find ourselves in this big recliner. Hoping that if someone passes by, and gives us the oportunity, then we will share Christ to them. Or when we're in youth group or church and we wonder why things don't get done the way we think they ought to. We end up seeing ourselves as this arm chair quarterback ready to tell others how badly things run.

In reality, we have all been given gifts (Romans 12:6-8). And not only that but we have been given different gifts. Yet why does it seem like it's always the same few who help out with ministry? Surly it can't be because of who's involved... because we arn't really doing it for them.

Rev. 3:14-22 says we either need to be HOT or COLD. If we are anything else, we are a bad taste in the Lord's mouth. He will spit us out if we are lukewarm. We wen't saved just to buy us a seat in heaven. We wern't saved just to keep church seats warm. We were saved to minister.

John 5:6-8 says, When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."

If we were saved to minister, we are going to have to quit playing "Armchair Quarterback" saying "I have no one to help me." Jesus made it plain and simple to the invalid, and to us. Do you want to get well? Then get up! Pick up your mat and walk!

Need Help?

Written by Matt Beckner

Just thought this picture might remind you to ask for help the next time you try to do something on your own..

nuff said.

Thanks Aunt Heidi.. Not!

Last Updated on Friday, 16 October 2009 07:22 Written by Matt Beckner Friday, 16 October 2009 06:45

There she was.. the most popular, and certainly, the most b-e-a-u-tiful girl in school. Sure, she noticed you, but only because you had fallen asleep in History class and fell out of your chair. Oh how her hair glistened in the light coming from the door she just entered. As she passed by, the smell of lavender hit the senses in your nose which reminded you of large fields filled with flowers. You have three classes with her, which meant three chances every day to try to get noticed in the "cool" way. The problem always was, every time you tried to act cool, you came across as a total klutz, a stalker, or just plain weird.

Just last Sunday your parents took you out to dinner for your birthday. You opened your gift from your Aunt Heidi. Inside you found the most horrific hand-made sweater. Everyone begged you to try it on. When you did, you noticed "She" walked in the restaurant just in time to witness "Ugly" in the most natural of the sense. How humiliating! How could your family do such a thing?! How could life be any worse?

Sometimes we think we have life all planned out. What it means to be cool. What it takes to "get the girl". When that isn't it at all!

It says in Jeremiah 29:11;

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God designed us to be a very unique individual with very specific gifts. Most of the time the world doesn't agree with that, and gives us a very general vision of what and who we are supposed to be. When our world crosses with God's world, we have a collision. Whether we take it as God doing something great in our lives, or God is ruining our one chance at cool, is all in our perception.

By reading this verse I challenge you to focus on the plans that God has for you. They are the only plans that are designed to give you any sort of a future. All to prosper and not to harm you.

Now, about that sweater..