Sacrifice
Hey Friends,
Last week we talked about faith and it was an extremely important issue. For the next few days let’s look at another issue we all need to be clear on – sacrifice. I am a firm believer that the Kingdom of God travels on the tracks of sacrifice.
I am sure that almost every reader of this blog is a leader and is wholly committed to the Kingdom of God. I am also sure that you are all givers; probably 10% plus. Most of us have developed a lifestyle of giving. The question is, have we developed a lifestyle of sacrifice? Sacrifice is giving something or laying something down for the sake of the Lord. What was the last thing you sacrificed for Him?
As I wrote last week, I am starting a new leadership ministry for churches. The problem with starting something is the money required to get it off the ground. I have found myself needing some money. For a few days I fought an idea I had, so let me tell you about my battle. In August I bought a 1965 Corvette. I have wanted one for years. It was a great deal and a great car. I enjoy cars, like most boys I guess. So this past weekend I went to the car show in Pigeon Forge. Going there was no sacrifice, but selling my car would be.
I fought the idea for a few days until the thought of sacrifice hit me like a ton of bricks. I have not sacrificed anything for a while. I believe God is moved when we sacrifice. So, when was the last time you sacrificed anything? What was it? Did you enjoy it? Shouldn’t sacrifice be a lifestyle for us? I hope it is for you.
Think about it.
Love ya,
Pastor
13 Comments
I have to confess that I attempt to create my life so I don’t have to sacrifice. God has blessed Holly and me and this very issue popped up a couple years ago. We had a very good friend starting a ministry and as you know requires money to get off the ground. We choose to donate one of our extra cars (my favorite) to his family. So I parted with my 4×4 Pathfinder and thus began my journey to sacrificial giving.
As a new dad (2yr old and 8 month old), I battle internally to (what I think is) sacrifice my time for my kids periodically. Things like the tv, honey do’s, the computer, my hobbies, etc are filling my bucket as well. When I sit back and focus on God, His will for me as a dad, my wife, my kids, and all He has done for me, it makes it a bit easier to prioritize my time and the internal sting of the ‘sacrifice’ doesn’t seem to hurt so much any more.
Sacrifice is so broad. I really can’t sacrifice much by way of monetary value, but I do sacrifice my thought life it seems almost continualy. I am a little uncomfortable with this topic because I know we all can sacrifice more but rarely do. I am speaking of my self. I do not wish to even consider what someone else should or could sacrifice as it would make me vulnerable to being judgmental and I have only walked in my shoes…no one elses.
The week after I first attended FPC I had a thought vision of the church taking care of the church. Explaining…I saw a large room full of every day items needed for use in everyday family life for those in our “congregation”, in other words fellow Christ followers. We all want to reach out to those who are not, as well we should and must, but there are alot of families that we eat bread with that do without in some areas.
The principle is found in Acts when they all sold everything they had and brought all their wealth to be used communally. I realize that is almost an impossibility in todays time even among the most devoted. It would be, to me anyway, the most awesome expression of kingdom living I could ever hope to see.
But that it could be realized, is if we as a family took care of the needs of our own by sacrificing our time and talent to help each other in the areas that would be most welcome.
Like for instance, I am a hairdresser, and a good one if you could permit me to publicly acknowledge that God has given me the ability to excute excellance. NO PRIDE, just truth. I also like to do interior design and have been praised again I give the praises to God because I have not been formally trained. Just passionate.
People could appreciate these skills and it would add a measure of beauty to build them up. And all the better if there is no $30-$50 an hour price tag attached. We all can donate for the edification of the BODY something. I know a single mom, which just so happens to be an AWESOME friend and women of God who is so desperately in need of a safe driveway. Last saturday when she dropped me off after going to the 5:30 Sat. service and hanging out ’til the 7:00 service was over so I could serve went home and ended up not making it up the driveway because we have had so much rain that it was impossible. She didn’t go over and down the hollow, just over it. She had to walk the rest of the way and call a wrecker the next day to pull her out. All the while praying for favour to be able to afford it. If there was something like what I envisioned, then just maybe there would exist someone who could meet that need, just to alleviate at least one area of trouble in her life. The possibilities are endless.
So many of us are gifted and involved in professions that can be utilized for so many powerful testimonies of LOVE toward each other that would and could strengthen us beyond measure to free us for harvest work in the Surrounding communities.
I wonder if it could ever come to pass?
I neglected to share that I consider the sacrifice of the precious friend I spoke of earlier (with the driveway) to be the greater. Because she bares the brunt of being both mother and father to her son as well as the bread winner of her family alone. Her time is very limited and that said, she gives emmensly in what way she can to both the Father and to those in her life. She is priceless to me and I wish to honour her because Jesus honours her. And I love her.
@ Eric, Love you bro. keep it up
@ Justin you on the right road keep on going and growing
@ Sabrina, thanks.
Thank you for this reminder…I needed it. I think sacrifice is like a muscle- it gets stronger the more you use it, it gets weak and pained when you don’t. I notice that whenever I am in “sacrifice mode,” it is painful at first, but then I find joy and God begins to bring unexpected blessings as I give. My goal is to keep growing in this area.
Sacrifice has meant to me lately to step outside my “comfort zone,” and then to continue serving when the new wears off. Is it just me, or does that get tough for others sometimes? I pray for strength for our Pastor and staff to continue the hard, sometimes thankless sacrifice of all they must have to do to continue to bring in new souls for God. It’s so easy to sit back and point out, or even callously look for, fault. I pray that fellow Christians, and I pray this for myself also, to not be blinded by the speck in other peoples’ eye when they have a 2 by 4 in there own. To be a part of the solution, you must have the kindness and heart of our Lord, and be willing to step in and help. God bless Faith Promise for all He has worked through them, and will continue to work.
I don’t know if this qualifies as a sacrifice because my original intent wasn’t to give up something specifically for The Lord but the end result is positive so I’ll share it with you. I started praying very hard that God would help me to quit smoking. My prayers were answered. I wanted to quit because I hated it and I knew that I would end up dying a horrible death from it just as all of my uncles have. I feel and smell so much better and am grateful that God has been my deliverer from this malady. At two packs a day, I was spending over $300 per month on them. I now have extra money to offer as a tithe and I do. I would like to encourage everyone that is reading to keep a list of the things that you spend your money on for one week and do some soul searching. Are there things that you don’t really need that you could cut back on a little and offer to God for his glory? I still have some improving to do myself. I am certain that I am not alone regarding this matter.
It occurred to me while reading this blog, followed by the comments, that sacrifice should be gradually more demanding and more sacrificial as we walk with God. We may start with sacrificing a meal at a restaurant each week so that we can sponsor a child overseas, but may end with the sacrifice of one’s very life. That’s where I want to be. When it stops being difficult is when it stops being sacrificial. Sacrifice should never be easy.
I thought about this all last night after reading your blog. I could give $, but that doesn’t feel like sacrifice. Then it hit me – I will sacrifice sugar dependency (coca-colas!) and give that money spent on cokes ($1/day in coke machine) toward your leadership ministry for churches fund. And, thank you, Joe, for what you wrote in previous comment.
I missed your comment earlier Joe. I am currently struggling with smoking and have for a long time. I so want to be set free from it. Please pray, as you have been helped, you can help. Overcoming something as time consuming and detrimental to many areas of our lives is no small matter and to be commended. That’s why I ask for help from an overcomer in Jesus. Thank-you for your honesty and sharing of the strength God gives us for purpose.
I want to thank Joe for that post. Very convicting! I am sure I could grow in this area. Praise God for the victory He has given you! Thanks for sharing
Wow, great blog article.Much thanks again. Great.