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Guest Article from David Waganer of Stewardship Direct
SDA Challenges You to a Happy Life
Happy faces sure do brighten up a room. Have you witnessed the happiness on some faces over the past few weeks? The faces of children giving and receiving of gifts offers opportunity for adults to relive earlier experiences in life.
In December 2011, an article appeared in USA TODAY titled, Does Tithing Buy Happiness? A secular newspaper addressing this subject really caused me to read it. One would expect to see such articles in religious news.
Americans seek to discover happiness from purchasing larger houses, newer cars and the newest electronic gadget. Such purchases often only result in larger debts and disappointments. Laura Vanderkam stated in the USA TODAY article, "new insights from happiness research suggest that tithing could benefit the giver too, even if you don't believe it's a religious obligation. Indeed, given how much money people spend pursuing happiness, tithing might be a relative bargain."
This is indeed a time for courageous people to stand-up for what’s right. A decade has come and gone by since September 11, 2001. Life before and after the horrific events on that day have for all time been altered. Amidst the tragedies of that day emerged some courageous stories of individuals putting their own lives in danger in attempts to rescue others.
From the book of Judges there was a judge by the name of Shamgar. (Judges 3:31 & 5:6) He emerged for his time as a person of courage. He defeated 600 Philistines with a farm tool referred to in scripture as an oxgoad. No, he was not a warrior but he was a man of courage standing for what was right and thus an encourager to others. What could we possibly learn to apply in our lives from this judge of another time?
- Use your ABILITY to make a difference.
- ACCEPT the challenge and use what you have.
- Make the most of your ACCESS to others as a person of courage.
- Remember to ACKNOWLEDGE to do everything you do for the Lord.
Are you willing to be a person of courage by standing for what’s right in the midst of difficult times? The economy provides very little encouragement. The housing market is in a terrible time. One might not have an invasion of Philistines attempting to take our food and land but we certainly live in a time where “spiritual Philistines” attempt to discourage us. It is time for COURAGEOUS CHRISTIANS to remain faithful in their giving unto the Lord. We truly want to assist individuals to become stronger lifestyle stewards. (Plan to watch the new movie, Courageous that came out recently. COURAGEOUS! It is a movie about fathers.)
Resources are developed on an on-going basis to assist congregations in developing biblical stewards. Take time to visit the website at www.stewardshipdirect.com then contact jswedenburg@alsbom.org for resources.
In Christ,
David Waganer
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