I saw this video by Francis Chan and can see why it’s easy to choose to be offended. The only thing that jumps out at me is that his continual pointing to his personal example is a little disconcerting. I know he needs to do it. How can you say, “Why don’t you live your life differently?” when you aren’t living your life differently?
Watch the video and leave your comments. Is Francis disrespecting elders? His he self-grandizing his example? Or is he a pastor gently saying, “Your life isn’t lining up with scripture?”
I look forward to your thoughts.
Laying up our treasure in Heaven and laying it up on earth are opposite and competing goals. I agree with the message of the video, especially the part that implied how older people waste so much time watching TV. We need the older to be discipling the younger. If they are feeding on the corn husks along with the swine, they don’t have anything to offer my generation. I pray God will spare me of this fate and give me a vision to teach the next generation.
Benjamin,
I agree with much of the video myself but have to admit my generation expected the houses their parents had after moving out of the house and went into debt to get them. We buy to invest in ourselves and rarely give to others unless we’re guilted into it. I think it’s a strong call to seniors…but those of us younger need a wake up call ourselves.
Great post Trevor. It really got to lighting a fire under me also as a young person in his 40′s. I agree with Francis’s basic message which I am paraphrasing – “if you aren’t givin, you aren’t livin’. That was really what Jesus’ ministry was all about -others.
With respects to financial matters, if the church truly tithed, not only would we have our churches fully funded to the top to do the programs and missions work (in our communities,nationally,internationally) we could be doing to change this world – radically. We by tithing would have people spending much less on ‘wants’ that for the most part really only takes them further away from God in the end. Too many people are spending on their ‘wants’ which should have been designated toward the tithe “first”.
But the greatest impact of tithing that most people really don’t realize is that they would now be allowing God exponentially to start making a move in their lives because they would now be trusting in God and instead of themselves. God is just wanting to take the trust factor from us to Him, then He can really start His work and give that person the “abundant life” He promised them.
Thanks Marty. Tithing is an old testament concept. It’s been replaced by generosity. That frees us up and puts a bigger responsibility on us to be the difference we want to see. See what I’ve learned about tithing here: http://revtrev.com/questions-and-answers/am-i-under-a-curse-if-i-dont-tithe/
I look forward to leading more people into living lives that matter.
The family was also an Old Testament concept and Satan is certainly replacing that as well. In reference to tithing, Jesus said “This ye ought to have done.” I agree in our society because we have been given much we are required to do much more than just 10%.
Benjamin,
Jesus said
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
in Matthew 23:23
and
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”
in Luke 11:42
Since that’s the only teaching I see in the NT on Tithing I have to agree with those who say it has more to do with attitude than it does with form. I think tithing works when we give cheerfully and not under compulsion. I have yet to hear a sermon on tithing that doesn’t try to compel us to keep us away from being under a curse.
2 Corinthians 9:7 talks about giving cheerfully and not under compulsion 2 Corinthians 8:3 encourages giving what you can afford; 1 Corinthians 16:2 discusses giving weekly (although this is a saved amount for Jerusalem); 1 Timothy 5:18 exhorts supporting the financial needs of Christian workers; Acts 11:29 promotes feeding the hungry wherever they may be; and James 1:27 states that pure religion is to help widows and orphans.
That’s why generosity replaced the tithe in my mind. I agree with The Billy Graham Evangelical Association that sums it up well… “we should give individually, regularly, methodically, and proportionately. The matter of your giving is between you and God, and He always takes into account our circumstances.”
Hum – well, being elderly myself, your blog caught my attention. I’ve had some of those same thoughts that Francis Chan expressed. I’m still working full time in ministry at 68 1/2 years old and my boss is 86 years old – giving his all to ministry. So, I’d say it’s a cross section – lots of young people who have energy and health are spending it all on pleasure.
LaVerne. I totally agree and appreciate your perspective. I can’t understand people going on vacation and pay for it for the next several years. I can’t believe people park $50,000 they are leasing on the driveway because the garage is full of $100,000 toys they’ll never pay for before they get rid of them because they don’t have time to use them.
We need to be living lives that matter.