Money

I remember thinking when we planted NewSpring that I would never teach on money; after all, that would be highly offensive and extremely personal.

I have since repented of my stupidity and teach on the subject at least three times a year.

Why? Plain and simple—people have money problems! It’s a fact—everyone of us has made at least one dumb financial decision in our lives…you might be driving it…you might be living in it…you could be reading this blog on it! (You did not make a wise financial decision if you are making “the minimum payment” on your computer!)

AND—hold on now—the Bible has more to say about money that it does on the subject of prayer and faith combined!!! I personally believe the reason so many people are so screwed up financially is because God’s word has been ignored when it comes to money!

Please keep reading—this is NOT going to be one of those prosperity deals where I ask you to send in money and in return you will receive a poster of me and a handkerchief that I have wiped my sweat on! I hate that stuff…HATE IT! God’s desire is not to make you rich—it’s to make you HOLY! And so I am not into the health and wealth thing.

However, I am NOT into the “all Christians must be poor, miserable, and only watch G rated movies” camp either. I think Christians should live blessed lives…and I think financial blessings are a part of being blessed by God.

Folks—here in America we have money!!! We live in a land on abundance…seriously—it bothers me that obese people declare they are living in poverty! Only in America!!!

So money isn’t the issue—it’s how we spend it!

When we first started NewSpring we didn’t have financial support from other churches. (I don’t really understand that—if God has called you to start a church then go do it and quit waiting on some other church to come in and foot the bill for you…either you trust God or you don’t!!!)

And so, because we didn’t have the support from other churches (we never asked) and because our audience was made up of mostly college students and pagans…the offerings were usually very low. (The first month we existed we took in $2,600…for the entire month!)

I was getting angry—angry at God—angry at the people coming, “Hey God—why aren’t they giving?” It didn’t take long for Him to show me that the reason they were not giving is that they hadn’t been taught to give.

So I did a sermon on money—to be honest, preaching on hell was much easier!!! When you begin talking about money it hits people…and it stings. I got accused of being money hungry and all of that…and you will to if you teach on money. (What I have found though is the people who get mad when you teach on money are the ones who are not giving any money!)

And what I found happen was two fold—

#1 - Our offerings began to increase! It’s simple—once people knew what God expected of them they actually began to respond.

#2 - People began to mature as believers. Once again, it’s simple—you cannot be a fully devoted follower of Jesus if you are not worshipping Him with your money! Don’t get mad at me…that fact is all throughout Scripture!

Pastors—you HAVE to teach on money—BUT PLEASE—be biblical about it…here are some basic facts I cover…

#1 - Everything belongs to God…it’s not that I have to give 10%...but rather He lets me keep 90%.

#2 - If you are not giving a tithe then the Bible says in Malachi 3 that you are robbing God!

#3 - God clearly does bless people who give…and the ways He blesses are NOT just financial. (Though at times they are.) Once again I maintain a balance here.

#4 - God expects you to be a good steward of you finances—STOP buying things you can’t afford! Here I say things like “clothes for your children are more important than a cell phone!”

#5 - Giving 10% is just the beginning—what are you going to do with the other 90% to enlarge God’s kingdom.

Those are just a few basics thoughts on it…oh yeah, except for this…we usually hire from within here at NewSpring…but we will not hire someone who does not tithe. Jesus said that where your treasure is there your heart will be also—and if there treasure is not coming here then we know there heart is not here…and we would never hire someone who’s heart isn’t here!

One more thing…for those who want to debate that tithing is OT and we are under grace now…please save your e-mail. If you think that because of grace that we are free from any responsibilities of fully worshipping God with all that we have then I would say you have some screwed up theology.

Yes—in the OT they gave 10%...in the NT they gave it all!!! One who is truly seeking the Lord will NEVER try to just do the minimum—EVER!

Money is an issue in everyone’s life! If you have money issues—I always offer the fact that we provide free financial counseling here at NewSpring. There has literally been hundreds of people take us up on this service…and it has helped so many. If you need help in the area of managing your money—give us a call.

BUT…

You must be willing to change some things. We are not going to write you a check…BUT we will show you how to live on what you’ve got. Now you may have to sell a car, downsize to a smaller home…and cut up some credit cards—but the fact is you can live and live nicely!!! If you don’t believe me…call!