Sunday, February 20, 2011

Money Talks



Location: My house in the village of C., Romania, just before noon on the 18th of February.

I have to fight to protect my quiet village life; it is hardly that! I find myself in town nearly four or five days per week, which is not typical of a villager. Lately, the blessing of my friend's car is what has been taking me there, both literally and figuratively.

Many of you did not know that I was shopping for a car last autumn. I did not write about it, because I was shopping on faith. I thought that the plan the Lord gave me required a car, and so even though I did not really have money for it, I shopped for it, praying the Lord would provide. I did not mention this endeavor, because I only tell the Lord my needs, and He then provides for them how He wants. I do not want to get in the habit of mentioning a need on my blog, and then pretend to be surprised when some generous-hearted person meets that need. Like George Muller, I take my praises and petitions only to the Lord; He knows when I have need and when I have plenty. No one else needs to know.

So, twice I found suitable cars; twice the Lord clearly prevented me from buying them. I am very thankful that He did, because I see that I did not need a car. That season of almost daily commuting is over, and God provided the transportation in a variety of ways. Now he has provided me a car on loan for a month, and it has been a great blessing, but it also reminds me why I am blessed not to own one. This car has been expensive, requiring both time and money.

Gasoline in Romania is about 5 RON per liter (a little less than $2, or a bit more than 1 Euro). For you Americans, consider that a liter is roughly comparable to a quart, with four quarts in a gallon, and we are already talking about 20 RON per gallon, which is just under $7 a gallon. And my British friend tells me that Romania's gasoline is still far cheaper than the rest of Europe's!

On top of that, I wanted to bless my friend by getting his brakes fixed, because driving without breaks is scary enough for a lone adventurer like me, but when I have his family in the car, it is just plain dangerous. To do so, I took the car to the garage where they put more brake fluid in, and then they send you to go buy parts and come back another day. I had to go buy parts at two shops, and the same part (I needed two, one for the left and one for the right) was 20 RON different in price between the two places (roughly a gallon of gas)! Surprised, I questioned the guy, but there was nothing I could do about it, so I bit the bullet and walked out--only to realize later that he had not given me my change (or I dropped it somehow, though I think not).

Then I took the car to the garage, and they told me they did not have time to fix it: come back tomorrow! They told me, though, that I had bought the right parts, and that the job would take around three hours. I rearranged my schedule accordingly, and made an appointment for nine in the morning. Actually, a date. My poor girlfriend came with me, and you know she is a blessing if two of our first dates were babysitting four kids for Valentine's Day and then hanging out at a Dacia repair garage!

So we showed up at 9:00am, and it was not long before two wheels were off the car, lying on the ground. That is when the mechanic came and told me that one of the parts was wrong (he needed the front instead of the back), and that he was not sure if he could get the car done before they close at 4:00pm. A seven hour job is a lot different than a three hour job! We had already prayed about the whole process, and I trusted the Lord to work everything out right. I was happy to learn that they had the needed part for purchase at the garage, which saved us time. Then I told the mechanic that I would wait and watch him work, and we would see how things went. Pretty amazing that he got everything done in under three hours, don't you think?

On the way home, we ran a few errands, and I ran into a village kid I know. He asked for a ride into town, so we took him with us. Meanwhile, M. reminded me that I wanted to stop at the part store to try to get my money back. She ended up running in, while I stayed in the car with R. R. and I chatted, and we talked about God's provision, and we even prayed together. We had a very nice time, and when M. came back without success, I told her not to worry about it. I had invested a few RON and some extra minutes in what resulted in quality time with a young man who needs Jesus.

Please pray for R.; he often comes to my church with several of his peers for the kids' program before service. Normally, they go home before service starts.

One time, though, one of R.'s peers sat next to me during worship, and when he saw me put money in the offering plate that was more than the 1 RON note that most Romanians drop in, he began to tell his friends. We then had a little chat about giving to the Lord, and about giving quietly.

I always try to give quietly, however much or little the Lord asks of me. I believe that giving tithes or offering to God through the Church is symbolic of us as we give ourselves completely to the Lord. Thus, sometimes when the Lord does not lead me to put cash in the offering basket, I put my hand over the basket and metaphorically give myself all over again to my God. At other times, I give generously, recognizing that all I have is my Father's, and that it came from Him, and that it is to be used for His glory. I can never pay Him back for all He has done for me, nor can I give Him what He deserves, but I can give obediently and gladly, showing Him that He is my master, not my money nor my possessions nor even my own welfare.

Yesterday, I was dismayed to learn that my giving (even the sum) had become the subject of gossip. I am neither ashamed nor sorry of how I give; in fact, I pray that others could learn to also give freely. However, it is a good reminder that people are watching us, and that they need to see Jesus in every part of our lives, including in our wallets and purses.

What if your giving suddenly became public? Would you pray for others to give like you do, or would you be embarrassed to find out if they do? Does your giving communicate to Jesus that He is First in your life? Do you feel free to give large sums, or do you just through in your spare change? Do you feel free to let the offering plate pass you by, or do you feel obligated to give, worried about what others might think or trying to pay off the debt that Jesus paid for you?

I am an American, and many people think that all American's are rich, which is a stereotype I hate. However, as much as I try not to live as a rich American, I hope I always live like a rich Christian! You see, if you know Jesus, you are rich! The fullness of God dwells in Jesus, and to those who have surrendered themselves to Him, Jesus puts His own Spirit in them to dwell. Everything in heaven and on earth belong to Him, and it pleases Him to bless us. So even if my wallet does not show it one day, I can always know that I am rich in Him! He is my provider, and He loves me! So wherever I am in the world, I will live as a rich Christian. I will give my love, my time, my money, and myself extravagantly to Him and to the people He puts in my path. Some people will think that my week has 8 days in it; others will think I am a millionaire. Some might think I am a saint; others might think I have infinite strength. The truth is, I am connected to the Vine, to the Source, to Jesus. He holds time in His hand, owns the cattle on a thousand hills, invented supernatural love, and gives me His joy as my strength.

Do you know this Jesus?

If so, do you realize how rich you are, no matter what is in your pocket?

Do others see you as rich and blessed, or do you whine pathetically because life is hard?

Christian, you are rich! May you use of your riches reflect the abundance of life we know in Jesus!
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A Rose From Home

A Rose From Home

My Story (As prepared for my church congregation this spring--2009)


I have a story to tell you. I am the main character, but the story is not about me. I have traveled several parts of the world, but my adventure has been closer to home. I am twenty-six years old. My story begins like many of yours…

I grew up going to church. I had been born into a family who labeled themselves “Christian,” in a country that labels itself “Christian.” Every Sunday found me attending a worship service and Sunday school in a mainline denomination church. I served as an acolyte, attended Vacation Bible School, helped my dad count and record the offering money, sang in the youth choir, was a leader in the youth group, and occasionally served as liturgist. Baptized as an infant, I was confirmed at the age of twelve, thus becoming an “official” member of the church. Then, hurt by the church, my family left to find another.

Have you ever been hurt by the Church?

After months of searching, we settled into a very large independent church. Things were different there, and I was quickly welcomed and at home among new friends that truly had a passion for Jesus. The Word of God was taught boldly from the pulpit, and I was introduced to a missions-aware lifestyle. So it was with regret that I said goodbye only a couple of years later to move with my family to another church. I purposely remained aloof, not wanting to make new friendships before I left for college a year later. Besides, I was loosing my faith—or so I thought—and I didn’t want anyone to know. I was asking scary questions like “Is there really a God?” and, if so, “Is He the Christian God?” and “Would I be Christian if I had been born in another part of the world?”

Have you ever asked yourself unsettling questions about what you believe?

So I headed into college under a cloud of confusion that only worsened for the next two years. Though I didn’t know what I believed anymore, I continued to go to church every Sunday, and to help lead worship in chapel. Most importantly, even during this questioning, I continued my morning habit of daily study of the Bible. I had begun at age twelve, reading at first a chapter per day, then ten minutes each morning, then an half-hour, and so on. So, only by the grace of the very God I doubted, I remained anchored in His Word and in His community, though I felt like a fake most of the time. Since then I have learned that “fake” is the worst insult the world can give us; that is why the label of “hypocrite” is so offensive.

Have you ever felt like a fake?

Six weeks with missionaries in South Africa followed by a year in France began to teach me what life with God is all about. I began rebuilding my faith, this time it belonged to me, in contrast to me borrowing the faith of my parents, church, or anyone else. In my parent’s basement in 2003, on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, I invited Jesus to live in me; perhaps I had done so before, but I didn’t recall—but since 2003, I have never forgotten that moment. Unfortunately, nothing changed. I continued to do my best to act like a Christian, as I had done for so long.

Have you ever found yourself “doing your best” to be a good person, or to act like a Christian?

Though I did not realize it at the time, I was quenching the Spirit, even though I had welcomed Him into my life. During the next few years, the LORD continued to nurture me, and slowly things began to change. Several tough months in Idaho birthed my prayer-life. I spent three years being humbled in a job that was my informal seminary training. In 2007, a short stint in Mexico helped me to see things as they were, and not long afterward, I was baptized by immersion. No baptism of any kind can save a lost soul—only Jesus can do that. However, this baptism was an important covenant between me and God, symbolizing not only my death and resurrection with Jesus and my public profession of faith, but it also my life change, the beginning of my bearing fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit…”according to Luke 6:44. During the past year and a half, the LORD has provided me with an informal pastoral internship in my church, teaching me every aspect of discipleship. Simultaneously, I have been studying unceasing prayer and worship. I am now very different than I was five years ago.

In the Book of Acts (which tells the story of the earliest years of the Church) every time a person decided to follow Christ, two things took place—though not always in the same order. Each person experienced a life change, which I call the “baptism of repentance,” as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which I call the “baptism of the Spirit.” Looking back, I realize that the Holy Spirit was living in me in 2003, but it wasn’t until I surrendered everything to God, as represented by my immersion, that I allowed the Spirit to have His way in me and transform my life. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)”

Have you invited Jesus to live in you? Have you allowed the Spirit to transform your life?

I tell you this story for two reasons. First, I tell this story in order to boast in the LORD! May God our Father get all praise and glory forever! Second, I tell this story because it is relevant to you. Likely you have heard that I am leaving the country: I have let my light shine before you; please let your light shine within the Church, too! This congregation is in revival, and as each of you allows the Spirit to revive you, the entire Church will be revived and utterly transformed, to the glory of the Most High God. And for His glory is the reason He created us; the reason He sent His only Son to reveal Himself to us; the reason He became Sin for us and died for us on the cross—while we were still sinners; and the reason that He conquered death and offered us eternal life with Him.

It will cost you a lot—in fact, it will cost you everything, your very life. But if you have never surrendered your life to Christ Jesus, if you have never invited Him to send His Spirit into you and to transform your life, then do it right now. Just let go of everything to which you are desperately clinging; stop trying to do it yourself! This is the very reason you are still breathing in this physical life—God has been delaying His judgment of this sinful world because He is waiting for you—2 Peter 3:9 says He wants none to perish!

If you have already invited the Spirit into your life, then live like it! Bear fruit! Anyone and everyone who meets you or knows you or sees you or hears you should know immediately and clearly that Jesus the Christ lives in you and loves them! That is how stark the contrast should be between your life and the world around you!

Have you immersed yourself in God’s Word and in prayer in the last twenty-four hours?

If you call yourself a follower of Christ, then there is no excuse for not communing with Him daily! Anchor yourself in the Word! God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Bible is a complete and accurate record of that revelation. And prayer is humbly letting Him love us. Let Him love you! God doesn’t need us, but He wants us! God doesn’t need us to live for Him—He wants to live in and through us! Let us love and fellowship with one another, even when you disagree! Pray for each other—the names in the church directory are a great place to start! Church, we are not only the Body of Christ, but we are the Bride of Christ. We have allowed ourselves to get bedraggled and stained—now let us stand to the glory of God! Let’s let Him purify us, restore us, and love us!

My dear Brothers and Sisters, if you have ever once been blessed by God our Father at work in me, then I urge you, please, take seriously His desire to love and work in you, beyond anything you can ask or imagine! I have told you the beginning of my story—may it end in glory to the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by way of His Spirit.

Now, what is your story?