CFC Daily Devotions - Zac Poonen
Excerpt from the message: The Final Examination of the Christian - Zac Poonen
To listen to the complete message click here : https://www.cfcindia.com/sermon/the-final-examination-of-the-christian
Visit our website for more information: https://www.cfcindia.com
Summary
The speaker argues that many Christian denominations focus excessively on money and offerings, citing Voltaire's observation that all groups share a love for money. He contrasts this with Jesus' teaching that God desires a body, not offerings. To counter this, his church adopted policies of never paying its elders and never collecting offerings, believing this aligns better with God's will and the spirit of cheerful giving.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Yielding to your own will versus God's willSin always comes from yielding to your own will against the word of God, whereas following God's will brings obedience.Hebrews 10:5
Voltaire's observation and modern Christian realityThe speaker noticed the same thing an 18th-century atheist named Voltaire observed: different Christian groups hold various doctrines, but they all share a love for money.
The craze for church fundraisingAfter seeing churches relentlessly push for money through aggressive collections, the speaker resolved that any church they started must have a completely different approach.
God is not after moneyGod does not want our offerings in the sense of needing money, because the creator of the universe is infinitely richer than any billionaire.
No salaries for preachers and no passed collection bagsThe church made two foundational policy decisions: zero salaries for elders and never passing a collection bag in front of people.
Using an offering box watched only by JesusInstead of passing plates or bags, the church placed an offering box near the door so that people could give voluntarily, just as Jesus watched the widow in Mark 12.
Five conditions for giving to GodThe church established five strict conditions for giving, starting with the requirement to be born again.
Not being in debt to othersCondition number two is that you must not owe money to someone else, ensuring you settle your financial obligations to others and to Caesar first.Romans 13:8
Taking care of family needs firstCondition number three is that you must take care of urgent family and children's needs before giving to the church.
Being reconciled with those you have hurtCondition number four requires that if you have hurt someone, you must go and be reconciled to them before offering anything to God.
Giving cheerfully without doing business with GodCondition number five is to give cheerfully out of gratitude rather than trying to do business with God or expecting a financial return.
CFC Daily Devotions - Zac Poonen
Excerpt from the message: The Final Examination of the Christian - Zac Poonen
To listen to the complete message click here : https://www.cfcindia.com/sermon/the-final-examination-of-the-christian
Visit our website for more information: https://www.cfcindia.com
Summary
The speaker argues that many Christian denominations focus excessively on money and offerings, citing Voltaire's observation that all groups share a love for money. He contrasts this with Jesus' teaching that God desires a body, not offerings. To counter this, his church adopted policies of never paying its elders and never collecting offerings, believing this aligns better with God's will and the spirit of cheerful giving.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Yielding to your own will versus God's willSin always comes from yielding to your own will against the word of God, whereas following God's will brings obedience.Hebrews 10:5
Voltaire's observation and modern Christian realityThe speaker noticed the same thing an 18th-century atheist named Voltaire observed: different Christian groups hold various doctrines, but they all share a love for money.
The craze for church fundraisingAfter seeing churches relentlessly push for money through aggressive collections, the speaker resolved that any church they started must have a completely different approach.
God is not after moneyGod does not want our offerings in the sense of needing money, because the creator of the universe is infinitely richer than any billionaire.
No salaries for preachers and no passed collection bagsThe church made two foundational policy decisions: zero salaries for elders and never passing a collection bag in front of people.
Using an offering box watched only by JesusInstead of passing plates or bags, the church placed an offering box near the door so that people could give voluntarily, just as Jesus watched the widow in Mark 12.
Five conditions for giving to GodThe church established five strict conditions for giving, starting with the requirement to be born again.
Not being in debt to othersCondition number two is that you must not owe money to someone else, ensuring you settle your financial obligations to others and to Caesar first.Romans 13:8
Taking care of family needs firstCondition number three is that you must take care of urgent family and children's needs before giving to the church.
Being reconciled with those you have hurtCondition number four requires that if you have hurt someone, you must go and be reconciled to them before offering anything to God.
Giving cheerfully without doing business with GodCondition number five is to give cheerfully out of gratitude rather than trying to do business with God or expecting a financial return.
