Why Rick Warren Works for Free

By Allen White

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.    2 Corinthians 9:6-8

I have heard of people accused of reckless spending. But, have you ever heard of someone accused of reckless giving?

Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life, gave back 100 percent of the salary his church paid him over 23 years of ministry. In fact, today he gives away 90 percent of his income and lives on 10 percent – a reserve tithe. Some would say, “Well, sure I could do that if I sold over 30 million books.”

Rick started a church with no money, no members and no building. Today, Saddleback is one of the largest churches in the United States with members from 90 cities in Southern California. He’s proof that you can’t out give God.

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When Penney's Went Bankrupt

By Allen White

Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19

James Cash Penney, a.k.a. J.C. Penney, was known to be a very generous man to his church and to charitable institutions. When the Great Depression hit, Penney went bankrupt. Everything he had built was lost.

A reporter asked Penney if he regretted having given so much to charity and to God’s work now that he was out of business. Penney replied, “Absolutely not. The money I gave away is still doing some good. All of the money in the business is lost.”

Jesus encouraged His disciples to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:20, NIV). Why? I don’t think we’ll need a bank account in Heaven or an ATM card for that matter. Storing up treasures in Heaven is not a transfer of wealth. It’s a transfer of trust. What do you trust in more: the size of your bank account or your Heavenly Father? You can’t trust both.

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The Genius of Generosity

By Allen White

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

These words run counter too much of the thinking in the world today. What seems logical is that if I hang on to what I have or invest it well, then I will prosper. Giving generously seems like a sure path to poverty.

This Proverb is reminiscent of the last scene of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” George Bailey, the generous Building and Loan proprietor, has seemingly lost it all to Mr. Potter. The bank is quickly closing in. In desperation, George decides to end it all, but an angel, Clarence, intervenes. When he finally arrives home, George is met by friends and neighbors from all around who give what little they have to help the very man who helped them.

We cheer for the underdog. We celebrate that good guys can finish first. We don’t have the same feelings for Mr. Potter, a greedy, sour old man. Much like Bernie Madolf or another scam artist, no one would volunteer to come to their aid. It’s hard to sing Auld Lang Syne with them.

Who can you be generous to today?

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What If Your Income Increased 25 Percent?

By Allen White

At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. Philippians 4:18-20

Do you have all that you need? Honestly, sometimes I’m not even sure that I know what I need. What could I live without? Unfortunately, we only try to figure out the necessities when we are forced to. Many people are figuring that out today.

Look at your budget (or create one). If you had to cut 25 percent, where would it come from? Would you still have everything you need? What falls into the other category: what you don’t really need?

Now, the big question: if you cut out what you don’t need, what would you do with the money? Take your wife on that trip you’ve always promised? Pay off your debt? Give to those in need?

It feels kind of freeing just thinking about it. What’s your next step?

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Thankful for Friends

By Allen White

As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. Philippians 4:14-17

Notice that Paul doesn’t focus on the money or the amount. Instead, Paul’s desire is that their kindness would be rewarded. Their kindness relieved Paul’s burden. Their kindness helped Paul focus on ministry instead of money. When you think about it, kindness really doesn’t cost us that much? But, boy, unkindness can cost us a lot.

My wife accidentally left her address book at the Post Office one day. A day or so later, she received it in the mail. The clerk was kind enough to mail the address book to the return address on the packages she sent. I’m not sure if postage was due or not. It was the gesture that counted. Now, an address book isn’t a dire loss. She could have Googled all of those names and come up with something. But, the clerk by his kindness saved her both worry and time.

My wife thanked the clerk. I haven’t brought it up to him yet, but it sure is easy to be kind to him when I mail MY packages.

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Disorient to Reorient

By Allen White

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts

of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:31-33

“Jesus didn’t do orientations. He did disorientations. Sometimes God needs to disorient us so He can reorient us,” says Mark Batterson in his book, Wild Goose Chase.

We often apply these verses as if Jesus is saying, “Don’t worry if you will have anything to eat or anything to drink or anything to wear.” In North American culture, the issue is not scarcity for most. The issue is being caught up in too many choices. Jesus is saying not to worry about what choice we will make in eating, drinking or wearing. Unbelievers are caught up in that kind of thinking, but believers have better things to think about. Our thoughts should be directed at the Kingdom of God above all else. God will give us everything we need.

Here’s the disorientation: Jesus directs us to think about the Kingdom, which no one else is thinking about instead of food, drink and clothing, which everyone is thinking about. What is disorienting you right now? Maybe an unexpected situation. God can use that to reorient you to what He wants in your life.

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The Beauty of Weakness

By Allen White

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

I used to say something very cruel to people who were suffering. I would tell them, “God must think that you are strong enough to face this situation.” I have since apologized for ever saying that. Suffering doesn’t reveal our strength. Suffering reveals our weakness.

Paul’s words show us that weakness is not necessarily a negative. Weakness allows us to more fully depend on God’s strength. I don’t feel a need for Christ’s power as strongly when things are going well. But, when things are beyond my control and my ability, I sure need Christ’s power then.

When I am weak, even when I sin, I receive God’s grace and power in abundant ways. “My power works BEST in weakness,” God tells Paul. How doesn’t God’s power work best in your life? What weakness are you facing that you need God’s grace and power today? All you need to do is ask and He will provide.

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One of Life's Greatest Teachers

By Allen White

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

Often we are tempted to think, “When I get through this, when this trial is over, then I can connect with God.” We pray that God will get us out of a hard situation so we can get on with serving Him. The problem is that there’s always a problem it seems. Philippians 4:12-14

One of life’s greatest teachers is adversity. No one likes to hear that, but it’s true. Look at it this way: if we’re going to experience problems like Jesus said we would (John 16:33), then we might as well benefit from them.

If we have “almost nothing,” then we learn that scarcity brings clarity. It’s at the times that we lack that we truly appreciate what we have. If we have “everything,” then we enjoy how truly blessed we are. Then, Paul reveals “the secret to living in every situation.” Here’s the secret: “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” We were hoping for the secret to make our problems disappear. The secret is Christ and what He provides. What can Jesus provide for you today?

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The Key to Contentment

By Allen White

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. Philippians 4:11

Children always seem to want more. It doesn’t matter how many toys they already have, if there is a new toy out there, they’ve got to have it or they are missing out on the fun.

I have a friend who recorded classic Christmas shows for his children. The shows were recorded from regular television, so they included the commercials. After watching the shows, his children began to ask for the toys in the commercials. The problem was that the recording was about 10 years old, and those toys weren’t available any more. The commercials created a need for something that you couldn’t buy.

Now, this isn’t just true for children. All of us want more or at least a new and improved version. Why? We want more because possessions do not satisfy us. If we could be satisfied by things, then we should be more than content by now. Just look at our garages.

Contentment becomes much easier when we want what we have. If we need perspective, then we need to spend some time with the less fortunate across town or on a mission trip around the world. That perspective should move us toward contentment.

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Don't Get Too Close

By Allen White

How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Philippians 4:10

The Philippians were concerned for Paul over his imprisonment. Even if Paul’s incarceration was house arrest, it was still unpleasant and very limiting.

As I am writing these final devotionals, my family is quarantined. (Don’t worry. I haven’t touched your book). Our sons have the flu and with the swine flu pandemic all the rage, we were all instructed to take Tamiflu and stay home. The doctor said, “If you don’t have food, then have someone bring food.” We are grateful for friends and for Domino’s Pizza should the need arise. Paul had no choice either and for a much longer time than us. If it wasn’t for friends sending gifts, Paul might not have made it. The state really didn’t feel obligated to help prisoners back then.

Now, imprisonment and quarantine both seem pretty extreme. But, there are people who need our help and might not be able to help themselves. Do you know someone who is home-bound or in a nursing home? Do you know someone who is lonely and needs a conversation over coffee? Your kindness this week could make all the difference in the world to someone.

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Who Wants to be Like You?

By Allen White

Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

This passage can seem to be a little intimidating. Most feel that they don’t measure up. So, for a minute, let’s look at this verse as the reader and not the writer.

Who do you know that you would like to be like? Now, nobody’s perfect. But, what Christ-like qualities do you admire in another? What if you asked that person to be your mentor? Since none of us are 100 percent there, it might be a good idea to even have a few mentors for different areas in our lives. As long as they are following God’s Word in their lives, they will be great teachers and examples for us to follow.

You can even choose a mentor that you’ve never met or may never meet by reading their books, following their tweets or listening to their teaching. What areas do you need to grow in? Who excels in that area already? Find their resources and begin spending time with them. Before you know it, you’ll hear what they say and think, “That sounds like something I would say.” Then, you know that what they’re teaching is sticking! And, in the process others will choose to follow us.

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Managing Your Thoughts

By Allen White

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

When Jesus announced His coming death, Peter strongly reprimanded Him and said it would never happen (Matthew 16:22). Jesus harshly rebuked Peter even calling him “Satan.” Why? Peter was “seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s” (Matthew 16:23, NLT).

How can two people experience the exact same situation, yet have a completely different reaction? It has to do with perspective. To maintain peace of mind and reduce worry, Paul instructs “fix our thoughts” on positive, truthful things. Our thoughts tend to drift into worry. No one intentionally sets aside time to worry. No one says, “I’m going to block out 30 minutes to worry about _______________.” Our minds just go there. What Paul is telling us is that we can purposefully direct our thoughts toward things that are right and pure rather than things that miss the mark or are even unrighteous.

What is your mind focused on today?

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Finding Peace

By Allen White

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

After we have followed the instructions in verse 6, and have prayed over all of our worries, we experience a wonderful result: God’s peace. It doesn’t mean that all of our prayers are immediately answered, but it does mean that we experience the “side effect” if you will have answered prayer, peace.

Think about this: God is in eternity. We are in time. We live one day at a time (at least we’re supposed to). God sees everything all at once. When we pray about something that’s going on today, God already knows the resolution of the problem whether it’s resolved 10 minutes, 10 days or 10 years from now. He knows the peace we will have when that time comes.

When we turn our worries over to God in prayer, He gives us something that does not rightfully belong to us yet. God gives us peace as if everything has already been taken care of. Now, this peace “exceeds anything we can understand,” so just enjoy it and thank God for what is to come.

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Winning Over Worry

By Allen White

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Being my mother’s son, I was born a worrier. I wish I had been born a warrior, but that’s another topic. For many years, I took this passage in the wrong way. When I read, “Don’t worry about anything…” I took it to mean “Thou shalt not worry.” So, by worrying I was refusing to trust God in the matter; therefore, worry equaled sin. One more thing to worry about.

Then, one day I saw the light. Worry actually has a purpose. It’s right there in the verse. When I begin to worry that’s the signal that I’m supposed to pray. Worry is like a warning light on the dashboard of my car. When the warning lights up, I need to take my car to someone who has mechanical ability beyond my own rather than just being annoyed by the light.

Why do I worry? Because I am projecting too far into the future. Because I am trying to control what is beyond my control. Because I am trying to figure out things on God’s behalf. So easy question: who holds the future and is in control? God is.

What should I do? Simply this: Worry. Pray. Worry. Pray. Repeat.

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A Seemingly Impossible Command

By Allen White

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:4-5 (NKJV)

If we practiced this passage daily, it seems like nearly an impossible task. We all have days when we feel like neither rejoicing nor being gentle. Yet, the enforcement, if you will, is “The Lord is at hand.” Yikes!

Let’s take this passage the other direction. When do we not feel like rejoicing? Well, when things are not going the way we planned. When do we not feel gentle? In general, we don’t feel gentle, but we especially don’t feel gentle when we’re stressed out. But, now look at that last line: “The Lord is at hand.” His presence is near. His return is relatively soon. This tells us two things: What we’re going through will not last forever. And, whatever we’re going through God is with us.

So, what do we have to rejoice about? First, we can rejoice that the Lord is near. Then, we can rejoice about all of the things in our lives that aren’t going wrong. Are you breathing? Can you eat today? Is your internet service working? Count your blessings! And as far as gentleness goes, when we know that God is with us, we can be calm. We don’t need to be harsh. We don’t need to be abrupt. If it’s still a challenge, well, then we can ask for some gentleness.

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Play to Win

By Allen White

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24

We have heard people say, “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. It’s how you play the game.” For those of us who are competitive, we only have one response to that, “Loser!” Yes, we want to play the game to have fun. (Winning is a lot of fun.) Yes, we want to show good sportsmanship. Yes, we want to play by the rules. But, the bottom line is if we’re not playing to win, then we might as well just stay home.

How do you run to win? It’s simple. We start when the gun is fired. We stay on the path or in our lanes. We run in the right direction. We cross the finish line before all of the other runners. How does this apply to our lives?

We’ve all heard of the rat race. Someone said that “the problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” The race God has put us in has to do with His purpose for our lives. Our aim is to become like Christ. Our goal is to reach others. Life can throw a lot of hurdles and detours in our way. But, if we are intent on running to win the race, we must run intently and leave the distractions behind.

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