Give First

Scripture

⁹ The LORD said to Moses, ¹⁰ ”Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. …  ¹⁴ You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.

(Leviticus 23:9-10, 14)

Observation

Here we see the institution of “first fruits,” the principle of giving God the initial part of what we take in. When we are willing to give God the very first of what we take in, it is a step of faith. This act of stewardship declares that everything we have comes from God – and we trust that not only has this initial harvest come in, God will provide us with enough in the future. This offering is not just about a tithe – it is about establishing a pattern of being, about cultivating generosity. When we understand that everything we have is a gift from God and that he has lavished good things on us, this should cause us to be generous with what we have, and then share our resources with those who have less.

Yesterday, I was at the Generous Churches Summit at Woodridge Church in Medina, MN and I heard several excellent speakers talk about developing a culture of generosity in the church. Andy Stanley, pastor of Northpoint Church in Georgia talked about this principle of first fruits. One Sunday, Stanley decided to tell his congregation what he wished for them and he came up with a wish list of 5 wishes – one having to do with stewardship and here are some of the things that he said (as recorded here):

I wish that you would reorder your finances so that you would be able to give, then save, then live – give, save, live.

I wish that there was so much financial margin in your life that when God calls you to do something, go somewhere you wouldn’t be held back by finances.

I wish that you would be a fully devoted follower of Christ. I wish that you would understand that money is the acid test of your faith in Christ and if your finances are out of whack, then it is impossible to be a fully devoted follower of Christ.

I wish that you would no longer be prisoners to your cars, your houses, your stuff.

I wish that you could be more generous in your giving.

I wish that you would take whatever drastic measures you need to so that whenever money comes into your life you would give then save then live.

I wish for you to change from living first, saving second and then saying “God I wish I had more available to give to you.” I don’t want you to live upside down anymore. I don’t want the way you live financially to be shaped by our culture any longer.

I wish we could become the church that is a beacon of light for all other churches in demonstrating how stewardship should be done.

I wish for you to experience the daily benefits of doing what God wants you to do. I long for that for you.

I wish that when God calls you to do that unusual thing or the opportunity of a lifetime comes your way – finances won’t hold you back.

That’s pretty clear isn’t it? And it starts with first fruits.

Application

Kari and I talked about it last night… we are going to (again) begin to

1. Give
2. Save
3. Live

Prayer

God, we want to be obedient to you, when you call we want to be ready to move and not held back my financial mismanagement. Help us to consistently prioritize our resources – giving you the first fruits, then putting money in savings, and then living on the rest. We know this is your will for us – give us the courage and counter-cultural strength to do this well. Amen.

Following the Rules

Scripture

³⁷ ” ‘Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD.’ “

(Leviticus 19:37)

Observation

I am not a big fan of rules. But here I am reading through Leviticus, which is chock-full of rules and regulations – some of which I feel like I need to follow, others don’t seem to apply to a 21^st century Christian. In the midst of reading these rules, I am reminded that the Law was established to point out our need for Jesus. The Law became a stumbling block because we needed to keep it, but were unable to live up to its expectations of us. Jesus lived in complete fulfillment of the Law and became the sacrifice for us – once for all.

Week 5 of the Alpha Course focuses on the Bible – why and how we should read it – there’s a great illustration about the Bible and rules. I found this summary in a blog by Stephen Butterfield, “Alpha Course Review”

Gumbel then makes the point that we need rules in life. Without rules there would be anarchy and chaos. Thankfully God has that covered, as he offers us the greatest rulebook of all in the shape of… yes you guessed it… the Bible.

To highlight the fact that we need rules he offers us the tale of how he was once roped in to refereeing a boy’s game of football, after the designated referee failed to show up. Unfortunately Gumbel didn’t know the rules of the game, so it wasn’t long before the match turned into chaos. Thankfully the real referee eventually turned up and managed to sort out all the mess. He imposed the basic ground rules and the boys went on to have a great game of football. They had rules to follow and a lawgiver to obey. Things are better that way, says Gumbel. Similarly, he suggests, life is better when we have basic ground rules to follow (the Bible) and a lawgiver to obey (God).

Gumbel wants us to realise that just because God has laid down some rules for us this does not make him a dictator or a bully. On the contrary in fact, as Gumbel explains, “God loves us. He hasn’t given us this [the Bible] to restrict our freedom. He’s given us this book to set us free. To enjoy life as he intended us to live it.”

Gumbel continues, “He didn’t give us the command ‘You shall not kill’ because he is a spoil-sport… He didn’t say ‘Don’t steal’ because he wanted to ruin our fun… He didn’t say ‘Don’t commit adultery’ because he wanted to ruin all our fun. He said it because he knows that people get hurt. And he doesn’t want people to get hurt because he loves us. This [points to the bible] is how to live. This is life at its very best, and within that we find freedom.”

So, for now, I read Leviticus as a Christian who is truly free – but working to understand the holiness that God desires from my life.

Application

I will not discount these laws as not applying to me – but remember that it is because of these regulations that Jesus came!

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for coming to be obedient to the Law when none of humanity was able to live under it completely faithfully. Please continue to conform me into your image and likeness – that I would become a person who is holy, by the work and indwelling of your Holy Spirit. You are Holy and I worship you! Amen.

My Plans and God

Scripture

¹ To human beings belong the plans of the heart,
but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.
² People may think all their ways are pure,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.
³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
⁹ In their hearts human beings plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps.
(Proverbs 16:1-3, 9)

Observation

Plans are an interesting convergence between our will and God’s. When things happen is it because I caused them or because God worked? Are we chained to fate, do we freely choose our future, does God dictate? These are questions of the ages.

I like how verses one, three, and nine illustrate what we do and what God does in the plan-making process:

1. to humans belongs the plans of the heart
2. we commit our actions to God and he will establish our plans
3. in our hearts, we plan our course but God establishes the steps we actually take

So as I read this, I see that I make plans, and trust God, but then as I walk out the plans, God guides where I place my feet. I like that!

Application

I will plan as well as God has enabled me

I will pray and ask God to refine, and change the plans according to what is best for his kingdom

I will happily anticipate shifts to the plan as I move forward, trusting that God is establishing my plans according to his will.

Prayer

All-knowing and far-seeing God, I trust you for my future, and again I lay before you my uncertain future. I understand that my future is only uncertain to me – not to you. Guide me in the way that you would have me go and I will do my best to commit my plans to you. Amen.

The Importance of Community

Scripture

³⁴ ”When you enter the land of Canaan, which I am giving you as your possession, and I put a spreading mold in a house in that land, (Leviticus 14:34)

Observation

God admits that he is the author of everything. It is God who gives the good gift of the Promised Land of Canaan, and it is also God who puts a “spreading mold” in a house. God even works through this circumstance that could lead to a pronouncement of being unclean and separation from the community.

This verse leaped out to me, and I am surprised to read that God is the one who puts the mold in houses. Why would God do this? What good could come of it? The only thing that comes to mind is the importance of community and of cleanliness. Being pronounced ‘clean’ or ‘unclean’ wouldn’t have the same weight attached to it without the removal from community. It is in community that God brings his blessing through people. It was in community that God delivered from Egypt, it was in community that God brought the Law, it is in community that the people live and worship, and it is in community that God exists from eternity. Community is held up as very important in these purity laws – even though I have to look to find it. 

I don’t have the same consequences that would remove me from community – but I still need to affirm the value of community. This past Sunday I saw a beautiful example of community when the Abbey Way Covenant Church had their commitment service – where people were able to choose (again, or for the first time) to being a committed part of this intentional community in Minneapolis. Part of the ceremony included each member looking into every other member in turn and saying, “I see you, and I commit to you.” This local body of Christ is working hard to uphold the value of community as they strive to follow God, and it was beautiful to observe!

Application

 I will choose community – even when it is tough. I was made to live in community and I will work to establish healthy community wherever God brings me.

Prayer

Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit – God who is Community, I thank you for the way you have placed in our heart a desire to be deeply connected with those around us. I know that community is often difficult – but help me to overcome my need for individuality at the expense of others. Bring other people into my life that have gifts that I lack, and allow me to see them for the gift they are. Thank you for my friends who are great community for me – help us to live as you would intend. Amen.

Be Holy Because God Is Holy

Scripture

⁴⁴ I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground. ⁴⁵ I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. (Leviticus 11:44-45)

Observation

At the end of this chapter, I again am reminded why God requires such exacting regulations for his people – it is because of God’s holiness. I have to admit that I don’t understand how eating a rabbit would make one unclean because although it chews its cud it doesn’t have a cloven foot. But, I have to admit that I don’t understand God’s complete and awesome holiness, either. One answer to the why question could be having to explain to the other cultures around them why they don’t do things like everyone else. Their God has spoken – and this is the God who has acted on their behalf and brought them out of Egypt and led them. This God has given them instructions and these instructions must be followed.

Application

God is holy; I will strive to be holy, too – by the power of the Holy Spirit working in me to perfect and sanctify me.

Prayer

O God you are holy. I know that I am not – but thank you for the presence of your Holy Spirit and the sacrifice of Jesus that enables me to be holy in your sight. Amen.

God Loves the Needy

Scripture

²¹ It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, 
       but blessed are those who are kind to the needy.
³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
       but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

(Proverbs 14:21, 31)

Observation

It is not easy to read in the Bible without seeing God’s care and concern for the poor – and this is an important aspect of the book of Proverbs. Here, neglect of one’s neighbor is decried as a sin that shows contempt for God, but kindness to those in need honors God. In the New Testament, James tells us that “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” and Jesus himself said that loving God and loving out neighbors sum up the Law and the Prophets – basically the entire Jewish Bible.

However, I don’t see much concern for the needy in the churches around me. There is a passive concern, where there is an openness to respond when needs are presented – but I see few organized churches actively seeking out the poor and needy, the widows and orphans in order to alleviate their suffering and to bless them. There are certainly segments of our population who reach out – we have a (large) group who regularly serve a meal at Loaves and Fishes in Bloomington. This is a ministry of the church, but it is a passion for a small number of our community. 

As I am writing this, the song that is streaming from Air1 is Brandon Heath’s “Give Me Your Eyes” (click here for full lyrics). In this song, he asks God to give him his eyes and heart to be able to see the hurting and love all of humanity with the love that God has. How perfect is God’s timing!

Application

I will look for ways to bless the needy around me – not just waiting for them to come to me.

I will strive to live in a way that fulfills both parts of the Great Commandment – loving God with all of who he has created me to be, and loving my neighbor as myself.

Prayer

Give me your eyes for just one second 
Give me your eyes so I can see 
Everything that I keep missing 
Give me your love for humanity 
Give me your arms for the broken hearted 
The ones that are far beyond my reach 
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten 
Give me your eyes so I can see
Amen.

Day of Rest

There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.

Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.

Opportunities to Preach the Good News

Scripture

Acts 23:1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin…

Acts 23:24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

Acts 25:22 Then [King] Agrippa said to [Governor] Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”

Observation

In this time of crazy imprisonments, death threats, unlawful treatment, prison cell transfers, and trials, Paul was able to speak to some of the most important and influential leaders in the region – both Jewish and Roman. Paul made sure that he was able to explain the resurrection of Jesus and didn’t allow his trial to simply be a petty religious quarrel, but used each opportunity to witness to those present the good news of Jesus Christ! 

Application

I want to follow Paul’s example and not bemoan my situation when things aren’t going well. Instead, I want to look for ways to share the good news with anyone who will hear – no matter the setting I find myself in!

Prayer

God, thank you for Paul’s faith and courage even in the midst of life-threatening hardships. Help me to have the same boldness, and I ask that you will use me to tell others about you! Amen. 

Day of Rest

There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.

Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.

Remove the Barriers

Scripture

⁴⁷ ”Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”  …

 ¹ The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ²So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him. (Acts 10:47, 11:1-2)

Observation

A very similary phrase is used in verse 47 to the one in Acts 8:36, “no one can stand in the way of their being baptized” in chapter 10, in chapter 8 it’s a question, “what can stand in the way?”. God is removing the obstacles to people worshiping God fully. The eunuch in chapter 8 was separated because he had been physically altered, Philip shows that this is not an impedence to the welcoming grace of Jesus. In chapter 10, Peter confronts the age old separation between Jews and Gentiles. Both the eunuch and these gathered Gentiles would have not been welcomed into the temple in Jerusalem to worship; there were physical barriers limiting where they could be. There were additional barriers of nationality, class, gender, and wealth.  God removes the barriers! Peter is obedient (albeit slow) and goes where good Jews wouldn’t have gone – and was amazed by God!

When Peter returns to Jerusalem people had heard the news of what took place under Cornelius’ roof. And they were not rejoicing – they criticized Peter. Listen to this: the believers in Jerusalem heard that the Gentiles also received the word of God when Peter preached – but they criticized Peter because he was in an acceptable place. How about that for priorities? Which is more important that people come to a saving faith in Jesus or that rules are followed? I will not stand with the Pharisees or the Jerusalem believers on this one. I side with Jesus! 

Application

• I will work to be open to where I see the Spirit of God working. I don’t want to put up a barrier where God has already torn one down; I don’t want to limit where it’s okay for God to work.
• I will celebrate the work of the Spirit! Even when I am surprised, I will rejoice in the work of God. I may have questions later, but I want my first response to be joy for the good work God does!

Prayer

Praise you, Heavenly Barrier-Breaker! It is your desire that all humanity worship you, and that none be excluded from your house. Thank you that because of Jesus there are no longer barriers to anyone’s access to you! Give me the strength and perspective to give you glory when I hear of people turning to you – even from unexpected corners. I ask that you do what you do, where you will, when, and how much. I won’t second guess – I will just worship! Amen.