Cool Stories

Over the last (almost) 90 days we have been taking part in the 90 Day Tithing Challenge here at MCC. I have been writing some thoughts for those who have been participating in it. I wanted to drop this in for those who have been involved.

Paul wrote this in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - “6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

I have mentioned 2 principles from those verses:
The Principle of Investment (You reap what you sow)
The Principle of Increase (You reap more than you sow).

Here’s one more – The Principle of Interval (You reap later than you sow)

Did you ever plant things in your yard? I remember when I was little, my brother Mark and I would plant all kinds of things in the backyard. I can remember planting popcorn, corn on the cob, candy corn (we weren’t very smart).

We planted peach pits, cherry seeds, and water melon seeds.

I remember one time planting those watermelon seeds and we waited forever - like 5 days. And we wondered if they were going to grow. So I dug up the seeds to see if they were doing anything.

If you want to be a farmer, you’d better have some patience. Crops don’t appear overnight. A farmer doesn’t plant one day and harvest the next. Farmers have to wait many months for his seed to grow and produce fruit. He knows it takes time for the seed to sprout, and to grow, and to mature, and then to produce.

Sometimes we’re pretty impatient for the Lord to reward us, but it takes time.

God promises to bless us when we give, but we can’t expect instant gratification.

Bill Hybels said, “Don’t worry about how God will bless your tithes and offerings.

He might increase your income.
He might lower your expenses.
He might sustain your household appliances.
He might protect your health.
He might keep your car out of the shop.
God blesses in His way, in His time.”

Here’s what I’m wondering. How has it been going for you over the last 3 months? I have had people tell me stories about
getting a new job that pays 3 times more than they were making,
jobs that were on the chopping block that were saved,
sales commissions being larger than ever before,
someone who was looking for a job having one come to them.

It’s pretty interesting how God has been at work blessing people who have said to Him – “I trust You.” (Malachi 3:10)

If you are willing, I’d love to hear how God has been at work in your life as you’ve trusted Him with your tithe. You can respond to this blog or email me at mike@exploremcc.org. I will keep all stories confidential unless you give me permission to use your name.

Posted on April 24th, 2009 by Mike
Filed under: Interesting story | No Comments »

I have been adding tithing thoughts for those in the 90 day tithing challenge. My cousin sent me this and I thought you might appreciate it.

Two men crashed in their private plane on a South Pacific island. Both survived. One of the men brushed himself off and then proceeded to run
all over the island to see if they had any chance of survival. When he returned, he rushed up to the other man and screamed, “This island is
uninhabited, there is no food, there is no water. We are going to die!”

The other man leaned back against the fuselage of the wrecked plane, folded his arms and responded, “No we’re not. I make over $100,000 a
week.”

The first man grabbed his friend and shook him. “Listen, we are on an uninhabited island. There is no food, no water. We are going to die!”

The other man, unruffled, again responded, “No I make over $100,000 a week.”

Mystified, the first man, taken aback with such an answer again repeated, “For the last time, I’m telling you we are doomed. There is
NO one else on this island. There is NO food. There is NO water. We are, I repeat, we ARE going to die.”

Still unfazed, the first man looked the other in the eyes and said, “Don’t make me say this again. I make over $100,000 per week. I tithe
10%. My pastor WILL find us!”

Posted on April 11th, 2009 by Mike
Filed under: Jokes | No Comments »

(This is part of a series of tithing thoughts as our congregation continues in the 90 Day Tithing Challenge)

I have mentioned 1 principle that comes out of what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9. Here is another.

The Principle Of Increase
(you reap more than you sow)

My brother-in-law is an Indiana farmer. I enjoy going to his farm. I like looking out the back window and seeing cows grazing in the back yard (field – whatever).

There’s not a farmer anywhere who could stay in business without the Principle of Increase. If a farmer reaped the same amount that he sowed, why sow? The farmer is counting on the fact that he’s going to reap more than he sows.

The same is true when it comes to generosity. God promises to bless us when we’re generous. As we invest in the work of the Kingdom through MCC - and as we sow seeds in the lives of other people - God continues to pay dividends and produce a harvest.

God told the Israelites – 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. (Malachi 3:10)

Paul says - (2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV) - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Just a few verses later he says this (2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV) - “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion….”

God blesses us so that we can show generosity; and when we do, He blesses us some more. It’s part of His plan.

Maybe you remember this story.

In 1923 a young mid-western artist was struggling to get his first filmmaking business off the ground, so he went to his uncle and borrowed $500. The uncle insisted on repayment in cash rather than taking an ownership interest in the venture.

That young artist by the name of Walter Elias Disney went on to advance the art of animation to incredible heights and founded a company that has influenced virtually every aspect of American culture.

We don’t know if the uncle lived long enough to feel a full measure of regret, but had he opted for stock in the Disney Company instead of cash repayment, the return on his $500 would eventually have amounted to nearly a billion dollars.

That is not stretching reality in eternity.

God says, “You give sacrificially –
you honor Me with financial resources –
and I will reward you in this life and in the life to come.”

Posted on April 2nd, 2009 by Mike
Filed under: Interesting story | No Comments »