"Why God Cares About Our Money, Part 2"

Pastor Laura Guy

May 4, 2008

Here's an instant replay of what happened in worship:

We reviewed what we learned last week, and we watched a funny video that showed how money can take over our lives. (Click here to watch a preview version.)
We wondered how someone would start with a new spiritual discipline of tithing, or even just regular giving. It starts by going over our budget and prayerfully deciding what we are really able to give, then writing that check first before the others are written. For some, this might involve starting with just 1% and building by another percent each year until they reach 10%. For others, they simply jump right in with a tithe and trust that God will provide for whatever else they need.
We asked the question, "But what if money is really tight right now? Does God still expect us to tithe?" Some pastors would say "yes" because the money we have still comes from God, and we can still trust Him to provide for us. But it is also true that God knows our circumstances, and He receives all kinds of gifts from us - our time and talents as well as money - with joy. So in the lean times, we can still give to God in other ways until we are in a position to tithe again.
We heard Pastor Laura share about the time when God asked her to truly rely on Him to provide for her family. Her call to start a new church meant that she was not able to receive a salary for the first two years, and now receives about half the salary she would get if she pastored an established church. She knows what it means to give to God even when it hurts. But she also said that she wouldn't change a thing because when she was forced to rely upon God for provision, she found herself at the heart of God's will for her - an incredible place to be.
We dreamed about the future of Living Water Christian Church and what God will do in the future. We thought about how each one of us can be a part of it, giving what God leads us to give.
We shared communion at the table of love, remembering that God is the Ultimate Giver.