Posts tagged giving

We All Need Someone Who Believes In Us Part 2

Apr19
2012 Written by Warner Smith

We all need encouragement. Individuals who come to the aid of someone they see to be in moral distress are encouragers. The great encourager in the New Testament is Barnabas, and the two most notable recipients of his encouragement are Paul and John Mark. Paul (formerly Saul) was an outsider to the church. John Mark was a church kid.

Yesterday I explained how Barnabas had gone out of his way to encourage Paul even though most of the Church of his day were afraid of him. Today we will focus on Barnabas’ showing encouragement to John Mark.

We are first acquainted with John Mark when we learn that the church met to pray in the home of Mary, his mother.

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Acts 12:12

When Barnabas returned to the church in Jerusalem and gave them his report on the condition of the church in Antioch, Paul accompanied him. When Barnabas and Paul (formerly Saul) returned to Antioch they brought with them John Mark.

When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. Acts 12:25

This missionary team began their work and traveled to Antioch, then crossed by ship to the island of Cyprus, crossed the island and then once more by ship went to Perga in Pamphylia (on the coast of modern Turkey). It is at this point that John Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem. The exact reason for John Mark’s departure is unknown, but whatever his reason it did not meet with Paul’s approval.

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:36-41

John Mark’s departure from Barnabas and Paul’s missionary journey and his invitation to rejoin them on a second journey caused such a problem that Paul and Barnabas “had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.” Barnabas the encourager takes Mark and Paul takes Silas and they depart.

The encourager is always going to help the underdog. Previously, it was the outsider Paul, now it is the insider John Mark. True encouragers do not care who, they help those whom they see in distress. The fact that Barnabas was related to John Mark (they were cousins Col 4:10) may have had something to do with his decision, but I think it is more his nature as encourager.

In the final analysis Paul tells us that he acted to hastily and that Barnabas was right and John Mark’s rehabilitation was worth all of Barnabas’ effort.

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11

Who needs your encouragement today? It may be an outsider who will stretch you beyond your own comfort zone or an insider (perhaps even a member of your own family), but someone needs your encouragement and your gift given to them will help you both, and God’s kingdom.

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We All Need Someone Who Believes In Us Part 1

Apr18
2012 Written by Warner Smith

Have you ever been a disappointment to your family and friends? When it has been made clear to everyone that you are not the man or woman which your parents raised you to be, it is easy to feel shame. It is precisely at such moments, and while dealing with these kinds of circumstances, that we need someone to come to our side and offer us encouragement.

Individuals who come to the aid of someone they see to be in moral distress are encouragers. The great encourager in the New Testament is Barnabas, and the two most notable recipients of his encouragement are Paul and John Mark. Paul (formerly Saul) was an outsider to the church. John Mark was a church kid.

We first meet Saul in Acts holding the coats of those who are stoning Stephen, and, lest we think that Saul might have been pressed into this service against his will, Dr. Luke informs us that Saul approved of Stephen’s execution.

Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Acts 7:58b-8:1

Little wonder that when Paul was converted, few Christians rushed to his side to rejoice. Most Christians were happy to fellowship with their new brother Paul from a safe distance. Barnabas, however, was going to Paul and then taking him and making introductions on his behalf.

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:26-27

When the church in Jerusalem needed someone to go and investigate what was happening in the church at Antioch, they quite naturally chose to send Barnabas. On his way Barnabas chose to go out of his way to Tarsus and look for Saul first.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, Acts 11:25

Notice that being an encourager to Saul required Barnabas to go out of his way. This is why there are so few encouragers. With our hustle and bustle lifestyles too few of us take the time and go to the trouble to encourage others, particularly those who appear as risky to us as Paul appeared to be to the early church. Each of us needs someone who will go out of their way to come and look for us. Barnabas went about 100 miles out of his way to find Paul. The distance you need to travel to encourage someone today may be much less. Perhaps you need only to go down the hall to your child’s room. There may be emotional distance you need to cross to encourage your spouse.

If you would like someone to encourage you, why not start by being an encourager to someone who God places in your path today?

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Assessing Our Own Generosity

Apr15
2012 Written by Warner Smith

I have learned that many of the things I once thought I knew were wrong. One of the principles I have misunderstood deals with generosity. I had always thought that I was generous. When I had something someone else needed I was always willing to give. Upon further reflection I have come to understand that is not true generosity. When I give away that which costs me nothing I am not really giving. The Bible says that David was a man after God’s heart.

And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Acts 13:22 (ESV)

We all know that David was not perfect. The Bible is careful to point out David’s human frailties and moral failings. There is one story about David , however, which reveals that he possessed a truly generous nature.

24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. 25 David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.  2 Samuel 24:24-25 (NIV)

I have learned that it is easy to give away things which cost me nothing. Many of us are glad to re-gift presents from certain family members or friends. Such expressions mean little.

When we give of our own time, talent or treasure then we are practicing true generosity. Being generous in times of economic hardship may require more faith than giving during times of plenty. Today there are many needs, and churches and other charitable organizations are finding that their capacity to help is greatly hampered because people are no longer giving with the same generosity with which they once gave.

Could it be that as individuals we are more generous in our own minds than we are in reality? The following story illustrates how much easier it is to be generous in theory than in practice.

A pastor was visiting one of the farmers who was in his congregation. The pastor asked the farmer, “Jim, if you had 100 cows and God asked you for fifty, would you give them to Him?”“Oh Yes, I sure would, preacher”“If you had 100 horses, Jim and God asked you for 50, would you give them to him?” “Oh, sure I would preacher, if I had 100 horses and God asked me for 50, I would be glad to give them to him?” “Jim, If you had two hogs, and God asked for one, would you give it to Him?” “Now that’s not fair preacher. You know I have two hogs.”

There are many around us in true need. They need us to give some of what we have. All Christians need to be more like our heavenly Father who is the most generous of all givers.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)

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40 Days of Preperation Easter Sunday

Apr08
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today is Easter Sunday. The highest and holiest day in the Christian religion. Without the resurrection of Jesus from the dead Christianity is useless. There have always been those who have denied Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. There is no evidence, however, that any of the disciples, or New Testament witnesses ever wavered concerning the truth of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, even when tested with laying down their own lives.

People do not die for beliefs which they know to be false! That the disciples and early Christians died willingly is evidence that;

  1. They knew Jesus was who He said He was
  2. That Jesus in fact truly has been raised from the dead.

The Apostle Paul made his argument for the reality and importance of Jesus’ resurrection to the Church at Corinth. Paul wrote:

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (ESV)

Notice that Paul teaches that if the resurrection of Christ were ever to be disproved then Christianity would also be disproved. If Jesus’ power is not sufficient to conquer death then neither can He overcome the power of sin. Fortunately for those of us who believe, we know that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead, because we have the witness of the Holy Spirit testifying to the reality of His resurrection within our souls.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:20-21 (ESV)

Jesus’ resurrection is not only the lynch pen concerning the reality of the claims of the Gospel writers, but it is also a fact of history, witnessed by over 500 individuals.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (ESV)

The facts of Jesus’ resurrection are presented in the Gospels in a rather matter of fact fashion.

1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. Matthew 28:1–15 (ESV)

The fact that Jesus was resurrected is only helpful to us if we believe that He also is God’s Son, and died in our place for our individual sins. Easter is genuinely a celebration only for those who believe and know with absolute certainty that Jesus is who He claimed to be, was capable of accomplishing the work His Father assigned Him, and is currently interceding at the right hand of the Father on our behalf.

Easter is not about eggs, baskets, bonnets, or new clothes.  Each of these things are fine in their place, but none of these have any place in a genuine celebration of the resurrection of Christ. A more proper and authentic celebration of Easter would involve thanking God for His grace, praising God for His provision of a sacrifice capable of removing the penalty of sin from us, to worship Him and desire to live in His presence, while doing everything we can to tell others about the Good News that is found through following Jesus Christ.

Will you celebrate Easter? If so, how? Will you choose to commemorate this act that gives hope to Christians that there is forgiveness of sin and eternal life for all those who believe, or will you gather like Easter is just another excuse to celebrate without giving God His due? Remember Jesus’ teaching:

15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:15–21 (ESV)

Please make it your only ambition to be “rich toward God.” Happy Easter!!!

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An Easy And Tangible Way You Can Help The People of Haiti

Feb10
2010 Written by Warner Smith

Many of us who wish to help the people of Haiti will never be physically able to go to their island nation and lend a hand.  There is a way now, however, for you to help feed a family in Haiti for one week for around $40.  It is called “Buckets of Hope.”

I am asking you to please go and purchase a five-gallon bucket with handle and form-fitting lid, and fill it.  The buckets must be new and unused.  Originally we were told that the buckets had to be white and could not have any company logos.  I am told by a good friend who works for the North American Mission Board that “the rules are now being relaxed, and orange Home Depot buckets (with or without a logo) are acceptable, because (State Conventions will put a Disaster Relief logo over the commercial logo).  Each bucket must have a sturdy form fitting lid.  For a list of places to purchase buckets look here. In my area the Ace Hardware bucket and lid costs $4.98 before tax with a discount after I told the store manager why I wanted it. The manager told me that if I could get 100 people to buy a bucket at the discounted price she could donate another 20 buckets to the cause. The Home Depot bucket and lid cost $3.32 before tax without any discounts, or value added donations.

The food items can and should be generic, store brand items so that you can afford to help a maximum number of Haitians. Do not substitute any items listed and do not add additional items.  (Each bucket must clear customs.  Were they to check a bucket that was not packed according to the standard your bucket could jeopardize the entire shipment).

  • 2 – 5-pound bags long grain enriched rice
  • 1 – 48-ounce plastic bottle cooking oil
  • 2 – 2-pound bags dry black beans (can substitute with red beans)
  • 1 – 5-pound bag of all-purpose flour (not self-rising)
  • 1 – 20-ounce cylinder container of granulated white sugar (coffee service size)
  • 2 – 1-pound boxes of spaghetti noodles
  • 1 – 2-pound 8-ounce (40 oz) plastic jar of creamy peanut butter
  • 1 – 2-gallon plastic ziplock storage bag (used to wrap the bottle of cooking oil)

The bucket and the food items should be able to be purchased for around $30.  When I purchased these items at my local Wal Mart the cost was $19.89. Adding the costs of the bucket from Ace Hardware the cost was approximately $25. That is not much money to feed a typical Haitian family for a week. An additional $10 is needed to ship the bucket to Haiti.

With millions homeless in Haiti there are a lot of hungry people which we need to feed.

34“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:34–40 (NASB)

Please send a ‘Bucket of Hope” to the people in Haiti for $40, encourage your friends and co-workers to send a ‘Bucket of Hope” to the people in Haiti.  Have your church or civic organization send ‘Buckets of Hope” to the people in Haiti.

Visit the “Buckets of Hope” website, or log on to the SBDR Facebook page and tell them what your church or organization is doing.  You can even make a donation to SBDR via cell phone and text message by texting nambdr to 40579. A $10 donation will be charged to your cell phone account and sent to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

The video below shows you how to pack your bucket.  Once your bucket of hope is packed take it to your local Southern Baptist Church or Association office and they should be able to take it from there.  If not, contact me and I will assist you in finding the distribution center nearest you.

[media id=5 width=320 height=240]

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