Henry Ford – think Model T – was once asked to donate money for the construction of a brand new medical facility. The billionaire pledged to donate $5,000. However, the following day, the newspaper ran this headline: “Henry Ford contributes $50,000 to the local hospital.”
Furious, Ford was on the phone immediately to complain to the fundraiser that he had been misunderstood. The fundraiser replied that they would print a retraction in the paper the next day. Unfortunately, the retraction read: “Henry Ford reduces his donation by $45,000.” Realizing the poor publicity that would result in, Ford agreed to the $50,000 contribution in return for the following: Above the entrance to the hospital was to be carved the Biblical inscription: “I came among you and you took me in.”
Sometimes in life we often feel like we’ve been taken in or we’ve been took! Ever make a horrible purchase? Ever buy a lemon? Ever give to a ‘worthy’ cause only to find it a hoax? Ever give to a person just to have them totally blow it? We have probably all experienced at least one of the above in our lives.
So – to give or not to give? That’s THE question. No – that is actually NOT the question. That may be the question for some people in our world, but it shouldn’t be the question for the Christ-follower! Giving should be a natural part of our lives. We should want to give because of God’s example to us.
A skeptic once said to a preacher, “I can’t stand this Christianity business. All I ever hear from you people is give, give, give.” The preacher thought for a minute and then said – “That’s about the best description of Christianity i’ve ever heard!”
Of course, it all started with God – “For God so loved the world that He gave…” Proverbs 3 urges us with this: “Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.” In other words, if you honor God with your ‘stuff’ – you will be blessed. Pretty simple.
The stats are pretty interesting that show Christians in America give 4 billion dollars a year to their churches. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?! And it is good. Sounds fabulous until you hear that those same Christian people spend something like 34 billion dollars a year on diet & exercise products. That’s stunning!! Think what our community churches could accomplish if tithes & giving even came close to those of our diet & exercise spending!
Check out this great ‘farmer’ verse in II Corinthians 9: “Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will reap a generous crop.” Robert Louis Stevenson wrote it this way – “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” Seeds to harvest – harvest by seeding! Either way you look at it, our nation is in desperate need of a spiritual harvest right now. It’s the only thing that will turn the hearts of people back to justice and morality. The only thing!
There’s an amusing story of a pastor who was in the middle of a new building project at his church. He decided to make a big appeal for funds one Sunday morning during the offering time. He had planned to have the organist play a great hymn following the appeal but forgot to do that. So, as he got up in front of the
congregation, he just told the organist – Mrs. Jones – “Just play whatever you think is appropriate.”
During his message, he emphasized the importance of giving faithfully to the Lord and the need for this building project. Then, at the end he told them, “If you are willing to shoulder greater financial responsibility by pledging at least $100 over your monthly giving, please stand as Mrs. Jones plays. He then nodded for her to begin, and to his absolute delight the ‘appropriate’ song that she had chosen was “The Star Spangled Banner” – our national anthem. Which in respect, we all stand for. Clever lady.
But we really shouldn’t have to finagle people to spur them to give. I love this insightful quote from Winston Churchill – “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” My advice? Get a life!!
Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPC
