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This Page - Living the Gay Christian, Gay Christians, Lesbian Christians life article on giving, witnessing, and serving.
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 veryone seems to "know" what Christianity is, but few can agree about how to live it. It's easy if you follow the original model, Jesus; it's easy to get off base if you take your focus off of Him. Much of what people think is Christianity is really religion. There is a difference. If you are not sure what the differences are, I suggest you read my article True Verses False Christianity, and then return to these pages to learn how to live a healthy and productive Christian Life.
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 hen you hear a priest or pastor ask for money, do your eyes glass over, and do you immediately hide your purse or wallet? Why do we cheerfully shuck over a lot of money to see a movie, with popcorn and the works, financially backing and supporting Hollywood and the Media, but the idea of giving money to the Church seems like a burden. I think it is because of how many churches and clergy approach it.
Under the Old Covenant Law, a believer was supposed to give ten percent of his wealth to the Temple/Church every year. This was called the "tithe." Today, many Christian churches still speak of the tithe, or tithing. They get into arguments about whether the ten percent comes before or after taxes; most say before so they get a bigger purse. They constantly beat members over the head with the requirement of tithing, "If you do not give to God, how can you expect God to give to you." It puts many members under false guilt and shame, contributes to spiritual burnout, and dissatisfaction with the Church.
Jesus said God causes it to rain on the fields of both the just and the unjust. The purpose of rain is to make crops grow. Crops provide food, and the extra is sold for money. So, God causes it to rain to financially bless the just and the unjust. Therefore, prosperity is not a sign of God's favor; neither is poverty a sign of God's disfavor. Do not let people put you under a guilt trip, saying the reason why you lack financially in your life is because you do not give enough to the Church. Do not let people deceive you into believing if you give a lot of money to the Church, you will get double or triple back; we are talking about giving to God, not betting in a gambling casino.
 Yes, Scriptures do say, "give and it will be given unto you." But, why you give, will determine what you get back. Remember, as a Christian you are not bound by the Law, now under grace, faith, and Christ's Law of Love. The apostle Paul wrote we are to be "cheerful givers," not "letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing." Just as we pray and study the Scriptures from a foundation of love and relationship, you give from your heart. You are not required to give ten percent of your income. Instead, Love compels you to give generously what you can, from a cheerful, joyful heart. You give not because you have to, but because you Love. Give Love, and you shall receive Love, first from your Father, then from other people. It may come in unexpected ways, not the same way you gave.
You should take care of those who help and serve you. You expect your priest or pastor to be there for you, and to someday take care of you when you pass on. Do they not deserve your love and care? Therefore, do not neglect the needs of your Church, and those in authority within that church. But, Jesus said not to give just to those who give to you, but give to those who cannot repay you; your reward for doing so shall come from God. Neglect not the poor, the widows, the orphans, those who are beaten down by the cares of life, those addicted or struggling with habits, and those who would not care for you. Give, without thinking of reward, and your reward shall be great from Heaven. Give expecting reward, and you shall get what you do not want.
Take care of your own needs, and those who are under your care. Then, give as best you can, joyfully helping others. Jesus praised the widow who gave two coins, saying she gave more than the bags of money other people gave, because of the attitude of her heart. It is your heart God sees, and it is by your heart you will be judged. Have a big, generous loving heart.
Deut. 16:17; Mal. 3:10; Matt. 5:45; Matt. 6:1-3; Matt. 10:8; Mark 12:42; Luke 6:38; Luke 11:41; Romans 12:8; II Cor. 8:12; II Cor. 9:7.
See Also: The Gay Christian and the Church, The Church and the Gay Christian, The Gay Christian and the Church, Being Christian in the Gay World.
 | to talk about giving. |
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hen Jesus revealed Himself to the woman at the well, she ran back to her town to tell everyone about Him. Once you have experienced and tasted true relationship, Love, and acceptance from God, it is pretty difficult to keep it to yourself. You want to tell other people about God, what you have learned, experienced, and know. This is the Good News, the Gospel, the Kingdom of God is available, and everyone is invited. Do you know someone who does not know God as you do? Who is not part of God's family? Then the greatest gift you can give him or her is Jesus.
 When you witness to another person, remember to keep the topic on Jesus. You are to share and reveal Jesus; it is Jesus that brings about change, nothing else. If your idea of witnessing is telling another person her lifestyle is wrong, she is sinning in this way or that way, she is going to Hell if she do not change her ways, your success rate of leading her to Jesus will be zero. You will do a good job of making her feel bad, perhaps even hate herself, but do nothing to lead her to Christ, and new life in Him. People get saved not from having their flaws and faults revealed, but when Christ is revealed. The Holy Spirit is perfectly capable of revealing righteousness and sin in a person’s heart and life without your assistance. If you tell someone about Jesus, His love, acceptance, purity, giving Heart, and desire for relationship, he will become aware of his own lack; no one will need to tell him. I got saved not because people told me I was a sinner, but because I saw they had something I lacked, i.e. love, family, and relationship. I asked them what it was, and they told me it was Jesus. I knew I did not know Jesus in the intimate way they did. I asked Jesus to become real to me, and He instantly arrived in my heart.
In the past days of the traveling salesman, he did not just sell you a vacuum cleaner; he showed you how to use it before he left your home. But, today, many people approach witnessing as if they are only required to sell the vacuum, not show how it works. They feel all smug and content when they have told someone he is going to Hell and need to repent and accept Christ, but never bother to follow through to see if he actually did come to Jesus. They boast about how fifty people came to the altar to get saved at their church revival meeting, but how many of those fifty will still be following Jesus a year later? Witnessing is more than just telling a person about Jesus, it is laying down your life for that person, befriending him, fellowshipping with him, taking him into your life, and the life of your Church. It means having patience with him if he still struggles with sin, addictions, or other things after he accepts Christ, encouraging him, uplifting him in prayer. You are growing in the Lord, so give other people time to grow, too. If you are going to take the time to tell someone about Jesus, lead him to Christ, then take the time to follow up with him, see that he is on the right path to change, growth, and relationship with God. If you personally cannot do it, see to it someone else can, and follow up to make sure that person does.
Be careful how you present the product you are selling. When asked if one would like a beer, I have heard some Christians reply, "No thank you, I do not drink, I am a Christian." What does being Christian have to do with not drinking? A lot of non-Christians do not drink. A non-Christian would assume being Christian is more "what you do than who you are." They would falsely think being a Christian means you "do not smoke, drink, do drugs, swear, dance, watch television, go to movies, masturbate, engage in pre-marital sex, or vote Democrat (just kidding)." In this presentation, Jesus is left totally out. Instead, just say you do not want a beer. If asked why, say it is because, for you, drinking is not showing love for yourself; it potentially causes you problems. Then share how you came to learn about Love, and tell them about Jesus. Keep the focus on Jesus.
Your greatest witness is not your words but your life. People watch people, they observe, and by their observations they judge and surmise who you are, and for what you stand. Do you reflect Jesus in your life by the way you love? Do you show love towards yourself and others? Do you make good and healthy choices for yourself and others that reflect Christ's Love? If you do, people will be drawn to you, want to know what you have, and how you got it. You can then tell them about Jesus, His Love, and lead them to Him.
You cannot take anything with you to Heaven… except other people.
Prov. 11:30; Dan 12:3; Matt. 4:19; John 4:1-30; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:20; II Cor. 4:13; I Pet. 3:15; James 5:20.
See Also: Being Christian in the Gay World.
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 esus, on the night He was betrayed, washed the disciples feet. Jesus told them He considered them not servants, but friends. This is the attitude you should have in serving other people. See them as friends, members of your extended family.
 Quick. Think of someone, anyone. Now, imagine you washing that person's feet. Could you actually do it in real life? Even if you happened to think of someone you barely know, someone who is your supervisor at work, or even someone you know who does not like or accept you? Jesus said if you serve the least of people, you are serving Him. You are called to wash the feet of anyone, at anytime, even the feet of those who would not wash your feet.
Serving is another form of giving, but in this case, giving of your time, and person. It is much easier to give money, than it is to give time and of yourself. But, this form of giving is often more a witness of Christ's presence and power.
Serving can take on many forms, as simply as babysitting for someone, passing out bulletins in Church, shoveling snow from your neighbor’s driveway, helping an older person put groceries in their car, to painting the house of a widow, cleaning the house for someone physically challenged or blind, or reading the Bible to someone who is bedridden and dying of cancer. Teach Sunday school, sing in the choir, decorate the church for a wedding, lead a prayer group, or organize a men or women Christian group. Do the dishes for your mother without being told, pick up after yourself so your partner does not have to do it for a change, wash your own snack dishes, put the toilet seat down, do your own laundry, pick up the tab for your co-workers at lunch, buy a flower for your lover for no reason or special occasion, call your dad, share an umbrella with a stranger.
It matters not who you serve, but the attitude behind your service. You serve out of a heart of love. Love desires to give, to bless others. You serve with no thought of reward, or return on the favor. It matters not who you are serving, but see all people equally, the same way that God sees you. You share through service God's Love and acceptance of them. Do not serve only those you know, but serve those you do not know, and who have no way of returning the favor. Great is your reward in Heaven for such Love.
Some people are reluctant to accept help or service. Some people can be overwhelmed by the love you share, asking why you bother or care so much. This is an opening to tell them about Jesus, how much He means to you, and can mean to them.
Service has rewards in and of itself. If you struggle with loving and accepting yourself, or you do not feel very confident or secure, serve other people. You will be amazed at how, through serving, you end up helping yourself in the process, too. Through service, you are a channel through which the Holy Spirit and Christ can touch and minister to other people.
If you love, you will give by serving.
Matt. 5:16; Matt. 10:42; Matt. 25:35-36; Mark 10:43-44; John 13:3-16; John 15:14-15; Gal. 6:2, Eph. 2:8-9; 10; I Pet. 4:11; James 4:17.
See Also: The Gay Christian and the Church, The Church and the Gay Christian, The Gay Christian and the Church, Being Christian in the Gay World.
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