Category: Tithing

Categories
Money Stewardship Tithing

Give Proportionately

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV) What will be different in eternity because of your life on earth today? Does it really matter how you live? Does it really matter what you give? Of course the answer is a resounding yes! It does matter how you live and it does matter what you give. Stewardship and Lordship are inseparable. Your stewardship demonstrates Lordship. When you allow Jesus to be Lord of your time, talents, and treasure, then your stewardship bears the fruit of Lordship. You choose to allocate your time based on what Jesus values, to use your talents in service to the Lord, and to give your treasure to expand the kingdom of God. God measures the gift and the condition of the heart of the giver. When you give proportionately to the Lord’s work, God sees both the portion and the proportion. God blesses you based on what you give and how you give. Measure and motive matter to God. Jesus tells about His experience of seeing a poor widow put in two very small copper coins into the temple treasury. He then told His disciples that the rich had given out of their wealth, but this poor widow, out of her poverty, put in everything–all that she had to live on (Mark 12:41-44). Jesus affirmed both her measure and her motive. Will you give proportionately? Will you consider becoming a “storehouse” tither by giving ten percent of your income to the Lord’s work through the local church? If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly. Choose to sow generously and you will reap generously. Assess your level of giving. Evaluate the motive behind the measure. Give proportionately to honor God and to bless others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Expectation Stewardship Tithing

God’s Grace on Father’s Day

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) How would you describe your dad? Think about his qualities. What made him special to you? How did he best communicate love to you? Recall some of your favorite memories. Perhaps your heart is moved by the warmth of the memories the two of you made together. My dad was so special. He had an exceptional sense of humor and could have you laughing in a matter of seconds. My brother and I would lean into my dad with anticipation and ask him to make funny noises with his mouth. He would have us rolling in laughter. My dad was meticulous about the yard and attentive to his appearance. He took us fishing, threw ball with us in the yard, taught us to water ski, and helped us get into motocross racing. My mom and dad were affectionate toward each other and toward us. I wish I could have hit the pause button to prevent the impending shift. Our whole world changed when my dad chose a path that led to his becoming an alcoholic. Soon after my seventh birthday, my parents divorced. The trauma induced by the severed relationship placed me on a search to alleviate the immense pain of my heart. On March 28, 1979, just one month before my tenth birthday, I was introduced to the Greatest Father and received His gift of eternal life. Have you met the Greatest Father? His love for you is unconditional and His plan for you is personal. You can have a personal intimate relationship with the One who created you. On a Personal Note: My dad lives in Louisiana, has a personal relationship with our heavenly Father, and is finishing strong. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Lordship Stewardship Tithing

Being Stewards

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’” Mark 12:17 (NIV) What belongs to God? Everything! God is the Creator and the owner of the entire universe and everything on the earth. As His children, we are simply managers of God’s resources. God expects us to fulfill our civil duty as citizens and pay taxes. God also expects us to fulfill our duty as kingdom citizens and bring the tithe to His storehouse. “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” Mal. 3:10 (NIV) My wife and I have had the joy of practicing biblical stewardship together as a married couple for over twenty years. God has proven faithful to His Word! I have often been asked, “Are you supposed to tithe on your income before or after taxes?” A similar question I have been asked on several occasions is, “Do you tithe on your gross income or net income?” Both of these questions are valid. My personal conviction, based on my study of God’s Word, is that your tithe is to be based on your income before taxes are withheld. You tithe on your gross income. The biblical stewardship principles my wife and I have faithfully embraced include: giving proportionately (at least 10% of our income before taxes are withheld), giving consistently, and giving cheerfully. God is faithful. You can trust Him with your life, your future, and your income. God can make 90% of your income, with 10% given to Him, go farther than 100% of your income. God blesses obedience! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Expectation Stewardship Tithing

God’s Grace on Father’s Day

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Cor 9:8 (NIV) How would you describe your dad? Think about his qualities. What made him special to you? How did he best communicate love to you? Recall some of your favorite memories. Perhaps your heart is moved by the warmth of the memories the two of you made together. My dad was so special. He had an exceptional sense of humor and could have you laughing in a matter of seconds. My brother and I would lean into my dad with anticipation and ask him to make funny noises with his mouth. He would have us rolling in laughter. My dad was meticulous about the yard and attentive to his appearance. He took us fishing, threw ball with us in the yard, taught us to water ski, and helped us get into motocross racing. My mom and dad were affectionate toward each other and toward us. I wish I could have hit the pause button to prevent the impending shift. Our whole world changed when my dad chose a path that led to his becoming an alcoholic. Soon after my seventh birthday, my parents divorced. The trauma induced by the severed relationship placed me on a search to alleviate the immense pain of my heart. On March 28, 1979, just one month before my tenth birthday, I was introduced to the Greatest Father and received His gift of eternal life. Have you met the Greatest Father? His love for you is unconditional and His plan for you is personal. You can have a personal intimate relationship with the One who created you. On a Personal Note: My dad lives in Louisiana, has a personal relationship with our heavenly Father, and is finishing strong. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Money Stewardship Tithing

Give Proportionately

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Cor 9:6 (NIV) What will be different in eternity because of your life on earth today? Does it really matter how you live? Does it really matter what you give? Of course the answer is a resounding yes! It does matter how you live and it does matter what you give. Stewardship and Lordship are inseparable. Your stewardship demonstrates Lordship. When you allow Jesus to be Lord of your time, talents, and treasure, then your stewardship bears the fruit of Lordship. You choose to allocate your time based on what Jesus values, to use your talents in service to the Lord, and to give your treasure to expand the kingdom of God. God measures the gift and the condition of the heart of the giver. When you give proportionately to the Lord’s work, God sees both the portion and the proportion. God blesses you based on what you give and how you give. Measure and motive matter to God. Jesus tells about His experience of seeing a poor widow put in two very small copper coins into the temple treasury. He then told His disciples that the rich had given out of their wealth, but this poor widow, out of her poverty, put in everything–all that she had to live on (Mark 12:41-44). Jesus affirmed both her measure and her motive. Will you give proportionately? Will you consider becoming a “storehouse” tither by giving ten percent of your income to the Lord’s work through the local church? If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly. Choose to sow generously and you will reap generously. Assess your level of giving. Evaluate the motive behind the measure. Give proportionately to honor God and to bless others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Lordship Stewardship Tithing

Being Stewards

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’” Mark 12:17 (NIV) What belongs to God? Everything! God is the Creator and the owner of the entire universe and everything on the earth. As His children, we are simply managers of God’s resources. God expects us to fulfill our civil duty as citizens and pay taxes. God also expects us to fulfill our duty as kingdom citizens and bring the tithe to His storehouse. “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” Mal 3:10 (NIV) My wife and I have had the joy of practicing biblical stewardship together as a married couple for almost twenty years. God has proven faithful to His Word! I have often been asked, “Are you supposed to tithe on your income before or after taxes?” A similar question I have been asked on several occasions is, “Do you tithe on your gross income or net income?” Both of these questions are valid. My personal conviction, based on my study of God’s Word, is that your tithe is to be based on your income before taxes are withheld. You tithe on your gross income. The biblical stewardship principles my wife and I have faithfully embraced include: giving proportionately (at least 10% of our income before taxes are withheld), giving consistently, and giving cheerfully. God is faithful. You can trust Him with your life, your future, and your income. God can make 90% of your income, with 10% given to Him, go farther than 100% of your income. God blesses obedience! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell