Giving God Our Leftovers?
Paul Harvey told the story of a man that was preparing for Thanksgiving. While searching through his freezer, he came across a small turkey. Examining it, he was stunned to find that the turkey had been frozen 20 years. Not certain if it was safe to eat, he called the Butterball Turkey Company. A customer service agent replied: “As long as the turkey has remained frozen at zero degrees or less, it is probably edible. In all honesty, however, it…may taste like cardboard.” “That’s okay”, the man responded. “I need something to donate to the church...”
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Although humorous, this story depicts a growing problem in the church – the tendency to give God our “leftovers”. For example, in many congregations over 50% of the adults give 5% (or less) of their gross income to the Lord. Some give nothing at all, citing other obligations as the reason. (It is interesting to note that the majority of those that give little or nothing to the Lord tends to have PERPETUAL financial troubles.)
The temptation to give God our “scraps” carries over into other areas. For example, from the 1940’s through the 1970’s, some 65% of Christians attended EVERY church service, including Bible classes. Today, only about 37% attend every service. Moreover, only about 1 in 8 Christians serve the church weekly via teaching, cleaning, preparing meals, leading in services, etc. Over 80% of Christians serve sporadically.
Far too many Christians give God their leftovers in terms of time, contributions and service. Those that do so should remember that God has provided us with more blessings than we can count, and has prepared for us a glorious home in heaven. He deserves better. Don't make God settle for leftovers. Give Him your best. You won’t regret it.
"HONOR the Lord with your POSSESSIONS, and with the FIRSTFRUITS of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." (Prov. 3:9-10)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
Paul Harvey told the story of a man that was preparing for Thanksgiving. While searching through his freezer, he came across a small turkey. Examining it, he was stunned to find that the turkey had been frozen 20 years. Not certain if it was safe to eat, he called the Butterball Turkey Company. A customer service agent replied: “As long as the turkey has remained frozen at zero degrees or less, it is probably edible. In all honesty, however, it…may taste like cardboard.” “That’s okay”, the man responded. “I need something to donate to the church...”
*********************************************
Although humorous, this story depicts a growing problem in the church – the tendency to give God our “leftovers”. For example, in many congregations over 50% of the adults give 5% (or less) of their gross income to the Lord. Some give nothing at all, citing other obligations as the reason. (It is interesting to note that the majority of those that give little or nothing to the Lord tends to have PERPETUAL financial troubles.)
The temptation to give God our “scraps” carries over into other areas. For example, from the 1940’s through the 1970’s, some 65% of Christians attended EVERY church service, including Bible classes. Today, only about 37% attend every service. Moreover, only about 1 in 8 Christians serve the church weekly via teaching, cleaning, preparing meals, leading in services, etc. Over 80% of Christians serve sporadically.
Far too many Christians give God their leftovers in terms of time, contributions and service. Those that do so should remember that God has provided us with more blessings than we can count, and has prepared for us a glorious home in heaven. He deserves better. Don't make God settle for leftovers. Give Him your best. You won’t regret it.
"HONOR the Lord with your POSSESSIONS, and with the FIRSTFRUITS of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." (Prov. 3:9-10)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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