He is Able: The Blessing - How Will This Happen (Part 2)
As members of VCNP, God is asking us to step up our giving and build these new buildings together. We have been called to this church, at this time in history, for a purpose. It was no accident that you walked into Vineyard North Phoenix one Saturday evening or Sunday morning. It was not coincidence that a neighbor invited you to a Bible study or conference. No... we've been called by God for such a time as this!
Now, God is asking if we will go to the next level. We've received ministry, we've received healing, we've grown spiritually, and our children have been loved and cared for. It's time we invest in VCFNP so that others can receive what we've received.
The first Christians invested everything they had in the church. Acts 4:32 says,
"And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them."They recognized that everything they had belonged to God. They were radical in their faith and sacrificial in their giving. They shared their homes, food and finances. They sold property and gave the income to the church to care for the needs of others, and God blessed their gifts - whether large or small. The Holy Spirit worked in powerful ways during that time. Thousands committed their lives to Christ, miraculous healings occurred, and the church expanded throughout the world, even in the face of persecution.
It's exciting to consider the opportunities for radical giving. What might God do when we respond to His call with abandon?
It starts with us and our part. First, our part is to focus on Christ and His call on our lives. Then, we must decide if we really believe God has a plan to care for our needs if we give sacrificially. Finally, we need to decide what we are being asked by God to give to this building campaign, and make a commitment.
The Blessing
There's only one place in Scripture where God invites us to "test" Him and that's in giving. Through the prophet Malachi, God tells the people that they are robbing God by not giving tithes and offerings to the church. Nestled in the warning, is a blessing when the people obey,
"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" - Malachi 3:10 (NIV)We would be remiss, and disobedient, to ask for a commitment to "He is Able," before encouraging you to tithe. God's Word is clear that tithing is separate, and should be returned to God before other financial offerings are made. This "He is Able" campaign is an offering to God, over and above regular tithes.
You may feel overwhelmed with the request for an offering, especially if you don't think you can tithe. But remember God's promise to "pour out so much blessing." We trust that if you begin to tithe, God will bless you financially, so that you can give offerings.
We believe God wants to bless you through this "He is Able" campaign. It's a call to radical faith and radical giving, which will result in radical blessings! God can be trusted – we're staking our lives on it!