Tithe?

For Sunday, August 11, 2024:

Malachi 3:10 NLT: “’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 there will not be room enough to store it.’”

I was brought up in a church where members decided how much they could afford to give to the church, and filled out pledge cards. But the Bible says that the first tenth – the BEST tenth – of everything belongs to the Lord. We are simply called to transport into the storehouse what already belongs to God.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches benevolence without specifying any amount. At The Way, the first Christian assembly, worshipers gave to meet each other’s needs. They would sell buildings or land and donate the sum for the good of all. With a guaranteed home in heaven, there was no longer any point in hoarding earthly possessions.

In general, the Bible tells us to trust the Lord, not test the Lord. This is an exception. God is challenging believers: “Give it a try, and see if you like the results!” You’ll be amazed!

God loves a cheerful giver!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

"Mine!"

For Thursday, February 8, 2024:

Mark 10:37 NLT, James and John asking Jesus: “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

In spite of all Jesus’ teaching about loving your neighbor and caring for the least of these, the human nature, the old way rises to the surface! Instead of helping others qualify for the kingdom, James and John are foremost concerned with their own positions in the life after this life.

There’s a toddler in our family about to enter the “terrible twos!” He loves to get his hands on things that aren’t his, like his mom’s cell phone or the TV remote. She tells him, “Give it back – that’s mommy’s phone.”

He responds, “Mine!” Like I said, he’s almost two!

Of course a great many things are NOT his, even though he declares, “Mine!” As his years increase, he’ll be taught to share and to care for others. Looking out for #1 will take a back seat.

James and John need to grow out of their “terrible twos.” In my opinion, they should never have asked such a favor of Jesus. It rises against everything Jesus had been teaching. But Jesus is kind, loving and forgiving, and doesn’t make a big deal out of it, saying, “That’s not my favor to grant.”

Jesus could have chewed them out, embarrassing them in front of their cohorts. He chose to not handle it that way! He took the high road!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Benevolence!

November 27, 2023 Monday Message:

Romans 15:26 NLT: “The believers in Macedonia and Achaia (Greece) have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.”

Jerusalem was the center of religion at that time. Believers gathered for worship, and their church was known as “The Way.” It was good that they all believed, but the business model was unsustainable.

In Acts 2, 3,000 were added to their new members class that day. Imagine 3,000 people walking in to your church next Sunday! Where could you put them all? Could you feed them at the potluck? Many of these newbies were from out of town, visiting Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot. They needed housing, food and friends. People of The Way were willing to share, but there was a limit to their resources.

I have raised a lot of money for worthy causes simply by letting people know the need, and then creating an opportunity for them to give. It’s not rocket science. People generally want to help. Paul had let the believers in Greece know about the shortfall in Jerusalem, and they too wanted to help. They passed an extra basket earmarked to sustain the church in Jerusalem.

Tomorrow is “Giving Tuesday” in the US, a day when people across the country are encouraged to think about their communities and to help those in need. It’s a welcome reminder of how followers of Jesus should think every day. Jesus said we should love our neighbors, and we can show our love by sharing from our abundance.

Be kind, be helpful, be generous!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Psalm 36

March 07, 2016 Monday Message:

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!” Psalm 36:7a

How much does God love us? How much love does He have to give?

God’s love is like the olive oil poured out for the widow in 2 Kings 4. The Prophet Elisha told the widow to get the jar in which she kept olive oil; then God filled it.

“Get all your other jars.” And God filled them too.

“Borrow all the jars you can from your neighbors.” And God filled all of them, until there were no more empty jars in the community. The widow was able to sell the oil and pay her family’s debts. She was saved, and her sons were saved from slavery.

This story uses olive oil as an example of God pouring out his love.

How much love does God have?

How many jars do YOU have?

If you open your arms, open your mind, open your heart, God will fill it all with his great love. God has more love available than you have places to put it. Maybe some of it will overflow, and you can share God’s love with others. God blesses some with abundance, so that they can help others. And isn’t that really what life is all about, loving your God, loving your neighbor?

Many Psalms contain a few words BEFORE the actual psalm begins. In Psalm 36, we learn that David is the author, but he’s sending this Psalm to the choir director, the director of worship music. From this we learn that one of the tasks of a worship leader is to raise up the next generation of worship leaders. David orchestrated worship so that he could pass it on.

“Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 36:5

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10 am every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, March 13, 2016, Pastor Pilla continues our study in Romans, and David Boeltl is our guest Worship Leader. Daylight Savings Time this weekend!

Love Your Neighbor

July 07, 2014 Monday Message:

“They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Acts 2:45 NIV

On the day of Pentecost, Jerusalem was filled with visitors, Jews who came to celebrate Shavuot, God giving the Torah through His servant Moses on Mt. Sinai.

As you may recall, at the great altar call that day, 3,000 came forward to become members of “The Way.” They were baptized and thus became card-carrying members of the Jesus Community. But everyone soon realized that since many of these people were out-of-towners, they had no place to stay and no source of income. If these new Christians were to survive, they would all have to share.

This isn’t like Communism. No one forced the believers to share, and there was no set amount of benefit. Instead, each received according to his need. And there’s really no further mention of it. My guess is that most of the new Christians either found employment or re-located their enterprise to the Jerusalem area. This short-term solution solved a short-term problem.

The core believers in this new church realized that Jesus was much more important to them than their possessions.

Jesus should be ahead of possessions in all our lives.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday, at 10:30am, in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, Rev. Van Dickerson preaches “Freedom in Christ” pt. 3.