Clearly, the early Christians practiced the tithe or their critics would have pointed it out. But having said all the above, the real point is sacrificial giving to the Lord’s work, whatever that means in your situation.

You’re on your church’s pastor search committee? Good for you. It’s a difficult task, one that can make or break your church for a long time to come. But this can be one of the finest services you render for the Lord and His church, especially if you help your church avoid dangerous pastors.

The best you can do for yourself is also the hardest thing for a pastor or staff member or lay leader to do: to call out for help.

If God’s good news is so life-altering, if it is the best thing in the world, one would expect that we who are Christ’s disciples would be telling the news wherever we go.

As they walked away scratching their heads, clueless to the lovely little paradox the Lord had just laid on them, one could be heard to say, “I just don’t see it.” Exactly. Blinded by the enemy.

What boring preaching does–without exception–is answer questions which no one is asking.

Use the church directory, pastor, and start looking.  Who have you not seen in church lately? (Call them and say, “I’ve missed seeing you. Are you okay?”)  Who needs a thank-you from you? A personal touch?

You can stop trouble before it starts or rely on prayer to protect your church.