THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

March 23, 2022

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

There is a scripture in Malachi that is familiar to most people, especially if they have been in church for a long period of time; yet, it is one of those scriptures that sometimes make people cringe or feel uncomfortable.

Malachi 3:8-11 speaks about the importance of tithing. It begins by asking, "Should people cheat God?" Then goes on to say, "Yet you have cheated me!"

"You ask, 'What did we do you mean? When did we cheat you?"

The Lord gives this answer, "You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me." In verse 10, He continues, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!"

Throughout the years, I have hear people comment that the church just wants their money. They get offended and upset when they see an offering being received, thinking that the only reason they are wanted is so that they will give money. They miss the point! And honestly, one reason they may get so bent out of shape is because they feel convicted about tithing and don't want to give. They feel like it's an accusation that they are cheating God when they don't tithe; when in truth, that is the Lord's words, not mans.

I've been church treasurer for many, many years at a couple different churches. The truth is, it does take finances to keep a church operating. There are a lot of expenses: pastor/staff salaries, insurance, building maintenance, utilities, toilet paper/supplies, etc. I think perhaps God set up the principle of tithing to cover the cost of supporting a pastor and keeping the "temple" operating.

But I really think God also wanted to see where people's hearts were. He only requires a tenth of what we receive. But sometimes giving that portion can be hard to let go of. He also wants to bless His people, and promises to do so when we tithe. He says to put Him to the test and try Him. When we tithe, He will open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so great that we won't have room to take it all in.

2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us that each one must give as he has decided in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

I was reading in Proverbs chapter 21 for my daily devotional this week and ran across this verse (26): "Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!"

There is something about having a cheerful heart and a willing spirit when we give. There is a difference in giving because we feel that we have to, and giving because we want to. When we truly want to give, it is a joy and delight and we feel excitement when we do so.

But it's not just giving our tithe, but in giving to others.

Many years ago a good friend and I had gone shoe shopping and were in a store in a mall in Missouri. Neither of us had much money at the time, but were both needing dress shoes to wear to church. A man was helping us and said, "You two are christians, aren't you?" We were a bit surprised, but answered that yes, we were. He said that he could tell. Then he proceeded to tell us that he would like to bless us by giving us a discount, if we found shoes that we would like to buy.

He told us that Galatians 6:10 tells us that whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone -- especially to those who belong to the family of believers; so he would like to take the opportunity to bless us.

I was unfamiliar with that scripture at that time. Although I'm sure I had read it, it was one that I had never really noticed. But after that time, it took on a whole new meaning for me.

There have been times when I've been without and had a need, not knowing how it was going to be met. God would place it upon someone's heart to give to me, and their obedience met that need. Other times, I had just enough to get by or sometimes had a desire of my heart, and someone would bless me. I have several stories I could share about that! Someone handing me cash, paying for my gas at the gas station, buying me a new dress, buying me a purse and shoes, taking me out to eat and buying my meal, etc.

I know how much that meant to me, and determined in my heart that when I was financially able, that I would be obedient to the Lord's promptings and bless others when they had a need. It's not been done grudgingly or because I feel like I owe God or because I have to.... but I do it cheerfully and willingly, because I want to do it! It blesses me!! I think that's why the verse in Proverbs really stood out to me when I read it this week: ".... the godly love to give!"

It should be the nature of the godly to love to give, whether it's tithe and offerings or blessing others.

If this is something that you struggle with, ask God to help you. Read the scriptures about giving and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of what giving truly means and what it looks like. Ask that you will have a heart that is willing to obey and be cheerful in giving; whether it be in your tithe and offerings or in giving to others. Then see the windows of heaven open and God pour out blessings upon you!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

If it's difficult to give in person, try giving anonymously. It can be fun to give something to someone secretly, and watch as they discover it. It won't always be easy. If you slip a $20 into someone's purse, be careful not to get caught. There are some safer, and fun ways that can work.

You can leave a trinket on their doorstep. My mom found pieces of a nativity scene on her doorstep each morning for several days before Christmas. Just don't leave food unless you stay close enough to fight off raccoons.

You can pay for someone's meal at a restaurant, or even in a drive-through. It doesn't have to be someone you know.

What makes it fun is seeing the confused, but happy looks on their faces. Once you learn how much fun it can be, tithing is easier.

You can also attend a business meeting at your church. They are usually boring, but normally go over what the church's expenses are, and how close most churches are to missing their electric bills.

ON THE MENEWE:

Cabbage Casserole

(This is delicious!! I was skeptical at first, but it is now a new favorite side dish or ours!)

Preheat oven to 350.

Coarsely chop cabbage (I find that 1/2 cabbage is enough.) Place in a 3-quart casserole dish.

Chop onion. Place on top of cabbage.

Pour melted butter over the top. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

In a small bowl, mix cream of chicken soup and mayonnaise. Spread on top of cabbage mixture.

Topping:

For the topping, crush Ritz crackers. Mix crackers with melted butter and grated cheese. Spread over top of casserole.

Bake for 45 minutes or until top if browned and inside is bubbly.

This also reheats very well.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Spring is here!! March rains are falling as I type this. I hear thunder rumbling outside. The temperature is cooler than it has been for the past few days. But when I look out the window, I am excited! I know that the rain will cause the grass to begin to turn green and grow. The trees are starting to leaf out. Flowers are starting to bud and daffodils are blooming. I have garden seeds started inside my home and am seeing green sprouts starting to push up through the soil. Soon it will be time to start planting outdoors..... and mowing the lawn will begin once again. But I love seeing nature begin to come into full bloom and blossom!

Enjoy this new season and take time to look at and appreciate God's marvelous creation! He is the master creator and landscaper and artist!! Enjoy His work!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

God doesn't give all the details. Sometimes He just says, "Trust Me!" - unknown

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org