Our church is going through a fund-raising period. The leadership has a vision to expand the reach of the church. I was reading the first chapter of Ezra today and it discusses God providing for the building of the second temple. It reminded me of how the slaves in Egypt were given wealth by the Egyptians as they fled captivity. In Ezra, the support for the temple came from their friends and neighbors as they once again left captivity with practically nothing of their own.
The whole concept of building something new reminds me of Christ telling us to count out money before we begin to make sure we have enough to finish. This is a totally different mindset from the world. The world tells us to go for it and assume it will all work out. The bankers do not make money if we are not getting loans for houses or cars or vacations or stuff. I cannot tell the world how to work nor can I tell others what God is leading them to do, but I can pray for His individual direction and follow it for myself.
Beyond this most recent lesson of what did God lay on my heart, a key from the series was the concept that God does not want generosity from you, He wants generosity for you. Giving is better than receiving, but if you do not have the generous spark in you, giving can be hard. And as the Bible discusses inviting those to a banquet who cannot return the favor, so the idea of giving cannot be to get back. Similar to how I want to give the right of way to others rather than have it taken; we are to want to give because we want to give.
One idea floating around in the world is that we need to strive to leave a lasting impression, something that is bigger than we are. People want world peace or everyone to go to bed without being hungry. These are great things, but according to the sermon, the idea is that without a how to, a want to is not a plan. I had an idea of establishing a charity that supported single mothers. I call this a want to. I never had an inkling of how to do so, but I more or less assumed that I would come across a how to later, and now I know that if I do, I can make a plan. But now, I do not want to establish something new. I want to help something existing get better or bigger or maybe just help it not end with a need unmet, or establish something new, whatever God asks.
The remaining sermon keyed off the phrase “A man and a wife, for life.” This has always how I interpreted Christ calling His followers to live. The pastor gave a list of ways for those tempted to flee a potentially compromising situation. Having grown up in a home of a single mother, I carried ill will towards those who could not uphold their commitment (ie. my dad). After many experiences with others, I realize that I was holding people to a higher standard in this area than for other sins. I still want everyone to come to Christ before marriage, to be equally yoked, and to follow their commitment, but I realize I cannot expect that of everyone else.
The number one aspect I enjoyed in the sermon was to love your spouse well. I do not do this nearly as well as I should, and I am constantly trying to do better and to understand how to do better. I need to be generous with my spouse giving time, grace, service, and those things that mean more to her. Pray I can do better as I try to put a how to my want to. I want to be generous, now I need a plan.