There were lots of reasons the famous Texan, Sam Houston, was referred to as “Big Drunk.” He was larger than life, and he was rough around the edges. He was a life-long brawler that could handle himself in a fight, whether it was a political one, a military one. Then he met Jesus and everything changed.
Finally, after 61 years of fighting the English, Mexicans, fellow politicians, and his own sin, he turned his life over to Christ. On the day that Houston was to be baptized a crowd gathered by the riverside to watch. As Houston walked down to the water’s edge, the preacher noted that Houston still had his watch on his hip. He pointed it out to Houston, and he handed it to a friend. “You’d better hand him your wallet, too,” remarked the well-intentioned pastor. “No, I believe not pastor. I’m afraid it needs baptizing, too,” responded Houston.
From that time forward, Houston became a stout supporter of Christ’s cause. He paid half of the pastor’s salary, and even gave generously to Baylor University for the training of church leaders. When asked about his giving Houston always replied, “But that’s what’s supposed to happen when a big drunk meets a big Savior.” [1]
Many of God’s people today need baptized billfolds! Studies among church experts show that consistent tithers are only about 20% of the average congregation. Thus, the old principle that 20% of the church is responsible for 100% of the giving. Even more appalling is the stat that in a year the average Christian only gives 2.5% of their total income to their local church. This number has dropped, yet records show that even during the Great Depression, the average tither gave 3.3% of their income![2]
Read through the Gospels and you’ll see that Jesus taught a lot about money. In fact, He preached more about stewardship than He did the doctrine of hell. “19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:19-20).
In its most basic form stewardship is Lordship. When Christ is Lord of your life that includes your finances. If you aren’t giving, then you are in disobedience to Christ. Many Christians say, “I can’t give because I can’t afford it,” but they can afford to go out to eat, they can afford a car payment and a vacation. Friends, that’s called “idolatry” and that’s when we love, fear, serve and worship something more than Christ. Plus, if you don’t give to the work of God then not only are you robbing Him, but you are robbing yourself of potential blessings (Mal. 3:8-10). Are you living in contradiction? “I can trust God with my eternal soul, but not my earthly treasure.”
Paul said that the
Macedonian Christians were examples of great grace giving. In 2 Corinthians 8:5
it says, “And this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to
the Lord and to us by the will of God.” Notice three important aspects about their
attitude towards giving. They gave sacrificially, spontaneously, and
spiritually. The model from the Macedonian Christians should challenge us to
trust God more. Lord give us greater faith to lay up treasure in heaven!
-DM
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