By Louis R. Torres, Guam-Micronesia Mission 

Giving is basic to life. All nature was made with the innate inability to hold back, or not give. It is only the human being that was created with the ability to give, or refuse to give. So when we give, it is different than the locked-in, preprogrammed bestowal of nature. This makes our gifts of special meaning because giving brings with it emotions and feelings that inanimate objects cannot convey. And the giving even becomes more dear and cherished when it is given from our want.

When Jesus was in the temple in Jerusalem, he "saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury" (Luke 21:1). He also noticed "a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites" (verse 2). To this he said, "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mark 12:43, 44).

How was it possible for this woman to give more "than all they which have cast into the treasury"? Let's suppose that Mary works at a store that pays her $100.00 per week. But John makes $100.00 per hour. In church Mary drops $50.00 in the offering plate, and John gives $50.00. Who gave more? Technically speaking, they gave the same. But when comparing the time spent to earn it, Mary's gift represented half of a week's wages, while John's only represented half an hour of labor. It took more of Mary's investment of her life to earn what she gave.

Our earned wages are a representation of an exchange made for a portion of our life lived out in time and talents. When we go to work, our employer is paying us what they think our time and talents are worth. Consequently, when we give, we are giving a portion of our life to benefit another life. The value of a penny or dollar is measured by heaven not by the value of the instrument itself, but by the amount of life expanded to earn it.

God so loved that he gave. He did not redeem us "with corruptible things, as silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1:18,19). It was life in the person of his son. So God's request that we give is not about his needing our metal, paper, or plastic but rather what that represents: returning to Him a portion of the life he has given us, and by so doing demonstrating our belief that He is our life-giver and that we are in tune with His value of life. Thus we lay treasure - saved lives - in store in the kingdom.  

How do you explain the reasons for giving? Discuss this with Louis on our Facebook page.

1. It feels good to be asked. Let's admit it: though we go to do God's work, we like to be recognized. Nothing wrong with that, within reason. It's a validation of what you've achieved that someone believes you're worth flying across the country to bring them a blessing. But, of course, you can't let it go to your head. I know that here at home I rarely impress anyone: I'm just a regular pastor doing the regular things pastors do week after week.
2. And, I know perfectly well that there are pastors in those conferences who are better preachers than I am, with fantastic messages from God. I was chosen, at least in part, because I'm from somewhere else! (It reminds me of Mark Twain's line: "An expert is just some guy from out of town.") I feel like I should apologize to the local pastors who are doing all the really hard work, like leading youth and putting up tents and chairs, that I get to breeze in and talk for a few hours, and be recognized as The Guest Speaker, when in reality I'm doing a lot less than they are!
3. The Holy Spirit works, and people are kind. I'm always amazed when someone comes up and says, "That was just what I needed."  I may have thought I gave a rather clumsy presentation, and am feeling somewhat self-critical. And of course, I had no idea that was just what you needed, because I've never met you before in my life. But the Spirit speaks for us. Plus, Christian people are gracious and good, and because they come to be fed, they listen and receive. It's God's doing, not mine.
4. It's hard to read a congregation you don't know. I unconsciously know who to watch in my congregations. I know whether to expect "amens" or nods or smiles. The camp meeting crowd has a lot of people, and I know few of them. (In Northern California, where I preached six times, I found that as the week progressed I began to learn the emotional texture of the group, and even though I didn't know people personally, I knew who to look to for response.)
5. Finally - although it's been said many times - I never cease to be impressed by the Seventh-day Adventist community. You go someplace where you assume you'll know no one, and people come up to you and say, "Remember me?" It's lovely, and one of the great blessings of being a part of this church.

"It feels weird to count my baptisms; it's just not who I am.  There are countless people who are a part of this kid's journey-I just get to be the one to 'pull the grain'," she says. 

Pastor Krystalynn Martin, pastor of a boarding school church believes that her true calling is to mentor students to become followers of Christ.  Throughout the past ten years, her students have fed the homeless, preached in the streets, and freed slaves around the year.  Her challenge to her students?  "BE the change in the world today."  Read the rest of the article to find out how God has blessed Pastor Martin with hundreds of baptisms over the years. 

I just returned from the NAD Teachers Convention where over 6,000 gathered on an Upward Journey to Excellence. My role was to be a spy on behalf of NAD Ministerial to look at the logistics of pulling off such a herculean task. We have penciled in a similar event for pastors June 28-July 1, 2015 for pastors and chaplains.

I was not prepared for the sheer joy that exuded from 6,000 educators, as they prepared for the upcoming school year. Teacher after teacher told me that this event gives them affirmation, inspiration, and knowledge. To stand with 6,000 other educators with the same passion for Jesus gives a rich solidarity that can give a boost through the lonely times of teaching. I asked the educators if they thought pastors would benefit by something similar and they said 'absolutely!' As pastors, let us pray and plan together for our gathering in 2015, that we too can taste the joy that comes from huddling together with thousands of our closest friends and colleagues and renewing our calling from heaven.  

--Dave Gemmell