Ministry Next Steps

It is not news to any of you that we are experiencing very tough economic times. It probably doesn’t surprise you that in response, some churches and some church members are pulling back from God’s call under the banner of good stewardship. Surveys have documented that Christian giving is down in 2011 and churches are hurting. While the symptom is financial, the problem is much deeper. Somehow, we are convincing ourselves that it is ok to balance our personal accounts by giving less to God. Churches are cutting budgets, reducing ministry efforts and reducing salaries to balance the books. Yes, Jesus calls His church to execute good stewardship, but we cross the line from stewardship to disobedience when we failed to answer His call on our lives or failed to execute the ministry to which He has called us. There is no blessing (for our churches or their congregants) in members seeking to balance their personal budgets by under-funding church support. Such an equation never balances. I'm reminded of the account in Haggai when the remnant returning from exile chose to give priority to their personal financial affairs rather than restoring the temple.

Haggai 1: 4-6

Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvest little. You eat , but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.


This warning seems so appropriate. Even those who have retained their jobs in this economy are feeling strained, frustrated and dissatisfied. Many have seen their home values and savings diminish over night; as if they were putting money in bags with holes. I think we are at a critical juncture. In times of hardship, the church needs to do more not less. Local churches will be tempted to strengthen their funding raising efforts to address their short falls. However, the real need is to raise disciples rather than raise funds. While, the subject of my message is offertory giving, I’ve never considered fundraising it’s purpose. It is not. It is a tool of discipleship, a message of relationship. It is our relationship that is under attack, not simply our budgets. Our giving is a mirror of the relationship. It let’s us see on whom we depend. It let’s us see whom we love. It let’s us see whom we serve. Jesus’ words still ring true; we cannot serve both God and money.

I have been developing a teaching outline for a bible study on my material. It summarizes the key components of the message that I believe God has given me and includes sample scriptural support for each component. It represents the most current synthesis of that message. It is a 6-7 week study (1 – 11/2 hr sessions). It expands on what I taught at Wheaton Bible Church and Second Baptist Church of Wheaton over the summer. I believe God is calling me to more aggressively pursue opportunities to teach this series. I ask that each of you prayerfully consider whether you can assist in securing opportunities for me to get the message out. If you feel moved to help, contact me. The need is great.

Yours In Christ!
Larry

MTTG Bible Class

Pastor Kevin Williams recently invited to teach a Bible Class series on the More Than The Gift principles at my former church (Second Baptist Church of Wheaton). It’s a 4-week series (6/29. 7/6, 7/13 & 7/20) on Wednesday nights (7-8:15pm). This is where God gave me the individual scriptural messages, but I never completed my effort to help them connect- the- dots between the messages. It has been over 10 years since this process began. I thank God for His faithfulness to His message for this congregation. Please join me with your prayers, presence or both.

Second Baptist Church of Wheaton

1520 Avery Ave,

Wheaton , IL. 60187

Your Brother In Christ,

Larry

Internet Bible Study - January 2011 - God's Plan for the Financial Support of His Ministry

I've been missing, I Know! I plan to be more consistent with the Bible Study postings in 2011.

Let's start with the foundational lesson and go from there. Here is a repost of the lesson entitled "God's Plan for the Financial Support of His Ministry".

The role of tithes and offerings are discussed as elements of God’s plan for the support of ministry efforts and ministry workers. However, that support is meant to be the by-product rather than the goal of our giving. The Lord must always be the focus of our giving and that giving needs to be a response to our relationship with Him rather than compliance with external regulations. The work and workers of ministry are God's designated beneficiaries of our tangible gifts. As such they are dependent on our response to Him. As we respond to God, we also respond to them.

Reference Scripture:
Malachi 3:10 (Bring all the tithes)
Supporting Scriptures:
Leviticus 4 (sin offering)
Exodus 30: 11-16 (ransom offering)
Numbers 18:20-24 ( 1st tithe – ministry support)
Deuteronomy 14:22-26 (2nd tithe – pilgrimage)
Deuteronomy 26:12 & 14: 28-29 (3rd tithe – benevolence)
Malachi 3:8 (will a man rob God)
Exodus 25 (freewill offering – tabernacle)
Hebrews 9:11 – 10:18 (Christ’ death all sufficient offering for our sins)
Genesis 14: 14 – 20 ( Abram’s tithe)
Genesis 28:10 – 22 ( Jacob’s tithe)
Matthew 23:23 (Jesus’ sanction of tithing)
Leviticus 27:30 & 32 (tithe belongs to God)
Deuteronomy 14:22 – 23 (so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God)
Numbers 18: 20 – 24 (Levites received no inheritance in the promised land)
Deuteronomy 14: 27 – 29 ( ( remember the Levites who have no inheritance)
Numbers 18: 8 -20 (offerings given to the Levites)

Luke 9: 1 - 6 (Jesus sends forth the 12 disciples)

Luke 10: 1 - 16 (Jesus sends forth 72 additional disciples)
Matthew 25: 31 – 46 (Jesus’ priority on the less fortunate – sheep & goats)
1Corintians 9: 13 – 14 ( those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel)
2 Corinthians 9: 7 (cheerful giver)
2 Corinthians 9: 12 - 13 (Men will praise God for their obedience and sharing)

Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson. The link is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.

Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.

Please keep praying for this ministry.

Larry

Internet Bible Study - August 2009 - A Love problem

Internet Bible Study
A LOVE PROBLEM
This lesson examines the traditions surrounding Valentine’s Day and then draws parallels to Christian practices in offertory giving. It suggests the premise that our relationship with God is a love affair and that giving is a fundamental expression of love. Trouble in our attitudes toward offertory giving reflects problems in our love relationship with God.
Reference Scripture:
John 3:16
Supporting Scriptures:
Mt. 20:28 (Jesus gave his life)
John 15: 13 (greatest love – give life for friend)
Ephesians 5:25 (husbands love wives like Christ who gave himself for the church)
Romans 8:32 (God gave his son for us)


Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson. The link is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.


Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.


Please keep praying for this ministry.

Larry

Leadership Seminar

As a result of the positive response of the church and its leadership to the principles of the More Than The Gift Project, I have been invited to conduct a leadership seminar for the ministerial staff and deacons of Progressive Baptist Church (Aurora, IL) on January 10, 2009. The senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Roy Brown, has committed to teach a 4-week series from the workbook during January and February of 2009. I solicit your prayers for the success of these efforts.


Larry

Internet Bible Study - Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21 - SUMMARY REFLECTIONS
Readers are challenged to consider the multi-dimensional nature of God’s message and plan. While many aspects of God’s plan for offertory giving are explored in preceding discussions, none of them alone reveals the fullness of God’s intent. However, when all of the aspects are considered and implemented together, then like light in the facets of a gemstone, the brilliance of His intent is reflected and His glory is revealed.

Reference Scripture:
2 Corinthians 9: 12 – 15 9 (Thanksgiving, praise, prayers result from the obedience & generosity of the Corinthian giving)

Supporting Scriptures:
Matthew 25: 31 -46 (as we ministry to others we minister to Christ

Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson. The link is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.


Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.

Announcement - Progressive Baptist Church

Based on the congregation's response to the Bible Study classes, the pastor of Progressive Baptist Church (Dr. Roy Brown) has requested that I deliver the morning message this Sunday. I request your prayers of support as God uses me and this message.


Larry

Bible Study at Progressive Baptist Church

I will be teaching from the More Than The Gift principles during the Bible Classes at Progressive Baptist Church (275 Barnes Road, Aurora, IL) on Wednesday 12/03 and 12/10. Please pray for God's anointing on both me and the Bible Study participants.

Thanks!

Larry

Internet Bible Study - Chapter 20 - September 2008

CHAPTER 20 - A LESSON FOR CHURCH LEADERS
God’s guidance for offertory gifts is not limited to church members but guidance also exists for church leaders. The Biblical account of Jesus’ feeding of 5000 men with a boy’s lunch establishes a pattern for church involvement in God’s ministry efforts and the distribution of offertory gifts for ministry work.
Reference Scripture:
John 6: 1 – 12 (2 fish & 5 loaves)
Supporting Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 8 (Macedonian giving)
Matthew 14 (2 fish & 5 loaves)
Malachi 3: 10 (that there may be meat in my house)


Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson. The link is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.


Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.

Internet Bible Studies - July and August 2008

I apologize for my delay in posting the July Internet Bible Study. In light of the delay, I am posting both July and August simultaneously. The Internet Bible Study is now available on the More Than The Gift web site

July 2008 - CURSE OF THE TREADMILL
The prophet Haggai warns of the consequences of using God’s possessions to enrich ourselves while we neglect the needs of ministry. Readers are reminded that if it seems that their financial gains yield no actual progress, it would be wise to give careful thought to their patterns of giving to determine whether they are neglecting God.

Reference Scripture:
Haggai 1: 1 – 7 (consider your ways)
Malachi 3: 8 – 9 (you are under a curse)
Supporting Scriptures:
Galatians 3 (redeemed from the curse by Christ)



August 2008 - THE PROMISED BLESSING
This section gives a brief review of scriptural promises associated with our giving. Abundant blessings flow from giving that honors God with its content and our conduct. However, seeking to obtain the promises should never be the primary motivation for our giving. Readers are encouraged to honor God with their giving and then to view His blessings not as the goal but as a natural consequence of Godly Giving.

Reference Scripture:
Malachi 3: 10 – 12 poured out blessing)
Luke 6: 38 (Give and it will be given unto you)
Proverbs 3: 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth , firstfruits… then your barns will be filled to overflowing)
Supporting Scriptures:
Isaiah 46:11 (If God speaks it he will do it)
Psalms 27: 13 ( I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living)
Psalms 23 (my cup runneth over)
1 Kings 17 (Elijah & widow)
Matthew 14 (2 fish & 5 loaves)
Genesis 15: 1 ( I am thy exceedingly great reward)


Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson. The link is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.


Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.

Amazon Updated

As of August 1st, the workbook is ranked #2 in Amazon's "Hot New Releases" for the "Stewardship" category. That's a great way to start a new month. Praise God!

Thanks for your prayers! Don't stop!

Larry

P.S.

Most of my internet traffic goes to my Blog site: christiangiving.blogspot.com However, I have an extensive web site: morethanthegift.net The Web site is intended to be the primary internet portal for the project. I invite you to visit it soon (a link is in the right-hand margin) . Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Project Praise Report

I want to extend my appreciate to Dr. Trunnell D. Felder (pastor of New Faith Baptist Church International) and his staff for their decision to include More Than The Gift as one of the class for their Fall Bible Study. New Faith Baptist Church International is a 6000 member church located in Matteson, Illinois. The classes will begin in late September. Praise God!

Please join me in prayer that God will allow the seed of this word to fall on good soil and draw those who participate in the classes into a deeper relationship with Him and each other. Pray also that as they are blessed they will be motivated to share this word and workbook with others.

Thanks for your support!

Larry

More Than The Gift - Workbook Update

There were some formatting and typing errors in the original file. So, the first printed copies of the book contained those errors. Since I published through an on-demand publisher the impact is minimized. A PDF of the manuscript is maintained by the printer and can be updated within few days. Books are only produced as they are needed. Amazon only purchases a few copies for its inventory and then reorders as necessary. It is currently sold out of its inventory. I’ve updated the PDF file and I’m confident that corrected books will be available next week. Please delay any new orders until next week.

Amazon.com gives some sales performance data (though they do not divulge how it is calculated). The workbook is classified in the Christian Stewardship category. As of today, the workbook ranked #83 out of 1300 books in the category. So, the workbook makes the top 100 list for the category. It’s all pretty amazing to me. Praise God!


Thanks for your prayers!! Don't stop!!

Larry

Internet Bible Study - Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17 - POLLUTED OFFERINGS
Just as there are acceptable offerings, there are also unacceptable offerings. The reference scripture outlines several attributes that can render our gifts unacceptable to the Lord: polluted attitudes, polluted content, lack of obedience and deceptive giving practices.
Reference Scripture:
Malachi 1: 1 – 14 (polluted offerings)
Supporting Scriptures:
Leviticus 10: 1 – 2 (Nadab and Abihu – strange fire)
Proverbs 3:9 (first fruit)
Deuteronomy 23: 18 ( wages of prostitution not an acceptable offering)
Matthew 26:15 (Judas betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver)
Matthew 27: 6 (It is against the law to put blood money into treasury)
Leviticus 22: 17 – 25 (lame sacrifices forbidden)
1 Samuel 15: 22 – 24 ( obedience is better than sacrifice)
Acts 5: 1 – 10 (Ananias and Sapphira)
Malachi 1: 14 (cursed is the cheat)

Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson. The link is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.


Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.

Internet Bible Study - Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14 - WHY DID SHE DO THAT? – A RESPONSE OF GRATITUDE
Not only are believers recipients of great mercy but we also receive amazing grace. God’s grace is His extension of favor that we have not earned and do not deserve. It is difficult to acknowledge God’s unmerited favor without being overwhelmed with gratitude. The responses of Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and Zacchaeus, the tax collector, to the mercy of Jesus are examined to illustrate expressions of gratitude through giving.
Reference Scripture:
John 12:1 – 8 (Mary and the anointing perfume)
Supporting Scriptures:
Luke 10:41 – 42 (Mary chooses the better part, sitting at Jesus’ feet)
John 11:25 (I am the resurrection)
John11: 14 – 15 (I am glad I was not there)
Luke 19: 1 – 10 ( Zacchaeus)

Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson.



Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.



Ask questions! Make comments! Let's create a worldwide conversation.

Internet Bible Study - Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13 - WHY DID SHE DO THAT? – A RESPONSE OF LOVE
The next examination of motive involves the Biblical account of Jesus’ visit to the house of Simon the Pharisee. In this account we see how those who receive and recognize the great mercy of God respond with great love. The woman’s response to Jesus illustrates that our love for God involves more than emotion, it involves action and that its natural expression is selfless giving.
Reference Scripture:
Luke 7:36 – 47 ( Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman)
Supporting Scriptures:
Revelation 3:20 (I stand at the door and knock)
Ephesians 1:22&23 ( the church is the body of Christ)


Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson.



Don't study alone. This is the worldwide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.



Ask questions! Make comments! Let's create a worldwide conversation.

Internet Bible Study - Chapters 12

A new lesson has been added.

CHAPTER 12 - WHY DID HE DO THAT? – A RESPONSE OF FAITH
This is the first of three topics discussing examples of motives for giving that please God. Abraham’s willingness to offer his son Isaac as an offering to God is examined to discern what motivated his actions. Abraham’s offering above all else was an offering of faith. He was willing to give Isaac because he believed God. He knew that God would either provide an alternative sacrifice or raise Isaac from the dead. He establishes a human example of giving without reservation with the belief that God will provide.
Reference Scripture:
Genesis 22: 1- 15 (Abraham willing to sacrifice Isaac)
Supporting Scriptures:
Hebrews 11:17 – 19 (Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead)
Genesis 15:1 ( I am your shield, your very great reward)



Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson.



Don't study alone. This is the worldwide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.



Ask questions! Make comments! Let's create a worldwide conversation.

Internet Bible Study - Chapters 10 & 11

Two new lessons have been added to the sbcwheaton.org website

CHAPTER 10 - GIVING THAT GETS GOD’S ATTENTION
The Biblical account of a widow’s offertory gift of two mites is examined from the perspective of its proportional magnitude. Readers survey several Biblical accounts where individuals were willing to render their all. The decision to surrender all to the Lord always gets His attention and such giving is memorialized in scriptures.
Reference Scripture:
Mark 12:41 – 44 (widow’s mite)
Supporting Scriptures:
Genesis 22:11 – 18 (Abraham… you have not withheld from me your son)
Romans 8:31 – 32 (He who did not spare His own son)
Philippians 2: 3 – 8 (He humbled himself and became obedient to death)

CHAPTER 11 - A QUESTION OF MOTIVE
Giving offertory gifts that are valuable is not enough. God wants more. Why we give is as important as what we give. This discussion reviews Jesus’ teachings about improper motives for giving. The examination explores the roles of both the individual giver and the local church in protecting the purity of our motives for giving.
Reference Scripture:
Matthew 6: 1 – 4 (acts of righteousness before men)
Supporting Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 9:7 (give what he has decided in his heart)
Genesis 3:1 – 6 (Eve wanted to be like God)
Isaiah 14: 12 – 14 (Lucifer desired to be like God)
1 John 2: 15 – 16 (pride of life)
Proverbs 16:18 (pride before destruction, haughty spirit before a fall)


Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson.



Don't study alone. This is the worldwide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.



Ask questions! Make comments! Let's create a worldwide conversation.

Internet Lesson 8 - Ritual or Relationship

Two reference scriptures are used to illustrate Jesus’ view of giving in the context of relationships. In His comments Jesus both affirms the value of giving and emphasizes the priority of nurturing relationships. The focus of the relationship building about which Jesus spoke is our human relationships. The discussion explores how the scripture intertwines the nurturing of our human relationships with the nurturing of our spiritual relationship with the Father.
Reference Scripture:
Matthew 23:23 (you have neglected the more important matters – justice,mercy)
Matthew 5: 21 – 24 (first go and be reconciled with your brother)
Supporting Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 9: 1&2, 12 – 15 (affect of Corinthian giving on others)
John 17: 1 – 3 (This is eternal life)
Matthew 22: 35 – 40 (1st & 2nd commandment love God , love neighbor)
1 John 4: 7&8; 12 – 20 (love one another, love comes from God)
John 13: 34 – 35 ( by this shall all men know you are my disciples)
John 17: 20 – 22 (Jesus’ prayer for our oneness)
2 Corinthians 9:7 (each man should give what he has decided in his heart)



Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson.



Don't study alone. This is the worldwide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.



Ask questions! Make comments! Let's create a worldwide conversation.