Commercialism erodes our affections; it forces us to think too much about the here-and-now when we should have our focus on the riches in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). What if we had to live the entire year under the frenzied pressure of the "more monster"? I don't think any of us could handle a weekly "Black Friday" (unless of course you are in retail or are one of my daughters).
I think we spend too many of our resources on what is under the tree instead of preparing our hearts for the Advent. Culture is moving toward a "holiday" celebration where present are king instead of investing in preparation of the presence of the King.
One of the major downfalls of this is that we perpetuate our own selfishness. We are teaching the next generation that it is ok to be greedy and fall head-0ver-heels in love with the things this world has to offer. We are training the next generation of "Black Friday" shoppers to be even more consumed with wanting and expecting more stuff.
John Stott wrote, "Materialism tethers our hearts to this earth." This right on target because it's grounded in biblical truth. Remember what Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34)?
I am not advocating emptiness under the tree. I still believe giving gifts in moderation can be an expression of God's grace and our love to one another. What I am encouraging is a little less under the tree and a little more time at home...a little less spending on the over stuffed and a little more spending on the hungry...less consumerism and more compassion. God's present was His presence, why should we do any different?
God's intention in giving His gift was to change the world and I still believe Christmas can change the world, but it must start with me...with you...with us!
Something I've been thinking about this year that will actually be put into use next Christmas (yes, I actually do plan that far ahead) is "The Advent Conspiracy." I've found the following website helpful in the beginning stage of my thought process: www.adventconspiracy.org.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
Something about giving and stewardship has been on my mind for the last several days and I wanted to share it with you.
Over the last several months I have witnessed at Calvary Church a humble obedience through the Spirit of God. In February I challenged all of us to ask what God would want us do to Seize a God-Sized Opportunity. That opportunity was to buy a piece of property for the future. To do this we would need to raise enough money to offset the need for the interest income we use in the general budget. What took place was humble obedience. People prayed and people gave. Some gave in the thousands, some in hundreds, and some in tens. Every gift was a sacrifice that reminded me of something Jesus observed:
41And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44 ESV)
I know this has been a sacrifice for everyone who has given. This is money that would normally be used to buy groceries, or pay off a credit card balance, or go to the movies, or out to eat, but humble obedience to the Spirit was far more important than food on the table or a good time out. The amount is not what is important to God, but the humble obedience is. No matter what amount was given it blessed the heart of the Father...and your pastor as well.
Grace & Peace, Scott
I am the pastor of the most amazing church! Certainly things have changed over the last three years, but one thing has remained constant: Calvary Baptist Church is the most loving and grace-filled churches God ever created! I love the fact that this has not changed because it is what makes a difference in people’s lives. God’s grace is powerful and available. It is undeserved, yet free, but not cheap. God’s grace is what encourages us to get up on those days that seem to have more problems than answers. It is what will change the world in the future and what transforms us today. God’s grace is simply amazing.
But what has been the biggest change at Calvary in the last year?
We have purchased a piece of property on the corner of Parris Bridge Road and Flatwood Road. This location will enable us to glorify God through reaching new families with His incredible grace. It is our future. In 50 more years the family members of Calvary Church will talk about the decisions we’ve made today. It is nothing short of phenomenal to think about what God has in store for the future. What we are doing today has eternal consequences. We are choosing to spend the money God has provided for us today so that it will have an impact in people’s lives that will last for eternity. We are choosing today to send our riches on ahead and not keep them here with us today hoarding them for ourselves. This follows what Jesus said,
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)
This is the most important activity we can be involved in with the money God has graciously given us. I believe we are on the edge of seeing God move in wonderful ways. God not only asks for obedience, He expects it! If we refuse obedience then we forfeit His blessing, and we don’t want to give up the blessing of God.
Grace & Peace, Scott
Last night somebody made a valiant effort to break into the church. They must have been here for a while because three windows were broken. The one over Matthew's desk (see the picture) took the greatest hit, and I think this is where they actually tried to get into the building. We found some finger prints but that is about all the evidence. The police arrived within minutes after Amanda (Calvary's Ministry Assistant [aka "Church Secretary"]) called. They were fantastic and we even got a motorcycle cop (made my day). No, I didn't stage this for all the drama, but there is a point here...
I just finished reading Randy Alcorn's book, "The Treasure Principle," and this break-in happens. After I had time to process this I thought about what Jesus said,
"Don't lay up for yourselves treasures where thieves break in and steal!"
Pretty awesome right! This event has been a visual reinforcement about my treasures and my heart. The treasures of Calvary are many, and because we are relocating we've begun to talk about taking an inventory of what we have. The purpose of this is to determine what we are going to take with us and what we are going to leave behind. (Yeah, you know where I'm going with this.) What we really want to take with us is not things, its people. What we truly value at this church is not the furniture and pictures, but the souls who come through the doors. The only thing that is truly worth anything where the thieves tried to break in and steal are the youth who meet in that area. Those are the treasures of Calvary Church and so that is where our heart is.
Matthew, I'm sorry for the mess, but we will do our best to get it cleaned up. I am thankful nobody was here to get hurt. Yes, we feel violated, but we are also thankful to our sovereign God for the modern-day lesson about the treasure principle!
Hitting the Alarm & Locking the Doors, Scott
Commercialism erodes our affections; it forces us to think too much about the here-and-now when we should have our focus on the riches in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). What if we had to live the entire year under the frenzied pressure of the "more monster"? I don't think any of us could handle a weekly "Black Friday" (unless of course you are in retail or are one of my daughters).
