Crossing the Relational Abyss

Transcription

1 Vertical Life Ministries June 2010 Crossing the Relational Abyss - Principles on Spirit-Guided Giving - S. Michael Lund

2 A Personal Word on Financial Giving and Faith S. Michael Lund Vertical Life Ministries, Bolivia On the face of things, the world is primarily made-up of two categories of people: The Haves and the Have-Nots. And generally speaking, I think it fair to say that most giving of finances is done by the Haves on a one-way street towards the Have-Nots. Now, the Old Testament in particular speaks volumes on our responsibility toward the poor. (Best understood in the context of the culture of the time) But even though the New Testament continues in this vain, it takes giving a definite step further. God is no Respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34) Thus in the New Testament, the Haves still help the Have-Nots. However, this is not to only help them survive, but also; help them arrive to a place where they can better help themselves. (The whole Feed a Man a Fish verses Teach Him to Fish principle) Biblical giving was never designed to be a one-way street. Instead, it was designed by God to be a spiritual connection of relationship; which when made, causes life to flow in both directions. This is especially true in New Testament giving where the perspective is one of the Church having all things in common as a family. This is not a matter of all giving flowing outward and downward toward Have-Nots. You see, giving toward need is never the central principle of that giving. Instead, it is an act of love wherein we love the person we give to and allow them to give love back to us. Logically speaking, the view of relieving a physical need is the view most understandable to the natural mind and compassions. For that reason; this type of financial giving makes-up the majority of what we see in the world today. 2

3 This particular form of giving however is grounded more in the emotions of the soul than in the direct leadership of the Holy Spirit operating within our inner man. And though God s biblical design for giving includes such natural compassion, it also must exceed this element of emotion to be truly submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our giving must extend beyond a person s need to make a relational connection to the individual person themselves; and relating only to economic needs falls short of this. God s heart is that our purposed giving would produce viable on-going relationships whenever and wherever they are possible; that it would create family. The needs of other people when presented to us, (be they in a foreign country or down the street); all hold a potential for relationship. Yet, when our emotional compassion reaches-out to another person s need with financial power but fails to embrace the relationship responsibility beyond it in a giving of our own person we miss God s highest will. Allow me now to share what I believe to be a biblical perspective on this subject; one which is rarely recognized or realized to its fullest potential between the Haves and the Have-Nots of our world. Giving Faith LEVEL ONE In obedience to God - A giving by Haves to Have-Nots This is one-way charity This charity is more a relocation of power than an impartation of relational love It is generally given with the mind to empower people who cannot help themselves (i.e. help people physically survive or meet the barest minimums in life) It operates almost entirely upon a Helper-Helped natural perspective It is a matter of giving and receiving roles played between parties; never any relational connection made beyond those basic roles It is a giving which is able to be naturally and logically understood by the mind It is biblical. It is good. It is responsible. Many times, this charity is all that is possible; the best we can do. This charity however does not call the Receiver to a greater level of faith in Christ. Instead, it tends to create victim roles which become dependent upon men. As an act of faith, this could be seen as the lowest level of spiritual giving 3

4 Giving Faith LEVEL TWO In obedience to God; a giving (sowing) by Haves into Have-Nots with a condition That they also sow something into themselves as they are able This too is one-sided charity. It indeed sows into a future expectation of harvest; but only on one-side of the relationship This giving generally relates to the improvement of educational & vocational skills in people s lives; things which have the potential to raise them to a different and better standard of living in their own world It is more relational, yet still based mostly in a Giver-Receiver mind-set of roles It is able to be naturally and logically understood by the mind It is biblical. It is good. And a more excellent investment than LEVEL ONE when this relational sowing possibility does indeed presents itself It calls Giver and Receiver to a higher faith level of faith; greater expectation in God; and increased relational involvement with brethren. It is thereby more spiritual than LEVEL ONE giving because it promotes actions of personal faith from Giver & Receiver alike As a productive act of faith, giving at LEVEL TWO exceeds giving at LEVEL ONE Giving Faith LEVEL THREE In obedience to God; a spiritual sowing by both relational parties; one into another, according to their opportunity and supply of love This is two-way love which exceeds simple charity. Its primary goal is the increase of relationship through love. It focuses on the person as family; consciously remembering them in love. Other effects are considered peripheral & secondary Giving (sowing) in this context is not need-driven from a position of roles. Instead, it is relationship driven; grounded in spiritual love; conceived and then guided by God s Spirit in the inner man Specific, inter-active actions of response to this love are orchestrated by the Holy Spirit in ways which exceed natural compassion; often defying natural logic It is entirely spiritual & relational. It exceeds roles taken and effects realized to embrace the person. (i.e. extends beyond the problem in a genuinely personal, family way) To give in this way is to walk in the Spirit; specifically led by the Holy Spirit in acts, often impossible for the natural mind to comprehend. (i.e. things which can only be somewhat understood by the mind after the action has been taken and the literal results seen) It is biblical. It is good. And when the possibility of any LEVEL THREE relationship presents itself; it is a more excellent investment than any other level of giving. When available to us, LEVEL THREE is the most relationally productive giving 4

5 ALL of these various levels of giving are good. Yet, we should seek to correctly discern the giving opportunity presented us by asking the Holy Spirit s guidance before we choose our action of faith response to these varying opportunities. Actions at LEVEL ONE produce a return of gratitude from those in need. And this is good. Actions at LEVEL TWO tend to produce a deeper gratitude; one which appreciates the Giver s belief in the Receiver s ability to act for themselves by faith. Therefore, a LEVEL TWO at is more relational than a LEVEL ONE response to the same opportunity. LEVEL ONE & LEVEL TWO giving are faith tools by which we may serve God and men. Rarely however do these two specific levels of giving extend beyond the causeand-effect outcomes of our actions; which is to say: The action is primarily taken to produce an effect which is something less-than relationship. (i.e. relieve a person s need verses embrace them in genuine relationship) 5

6 - A New Testament Picture of Family God s desire is family. A reconciled, saved family. A family of many members made one with Him and each other, even as Jesus is one with Him. Jn 17:21-23 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, There is neither male nor female: For ye are all one in Christ Jesus Gal 3:26-28 Note: Because the word children in this verse is off-spring (i.e. creation); this includes actions toward the unsaved in the context of seeing them reconciled to God as family The truest definition of salvation (i.e. God s fullness of life) is not simply being saved from the fear of hell to know the hope of heaven. Salvation is about everything relational in creation being healed and made entirely whole through the blood of Christ. It is true that, all giving done in love produces an increase in life. Yet, distinct from other forms of giving; LEVEL THREE giving has this healing salvation life at its core; realizing it by and through relational inter-action. The relational ability LEVEL THREE giving abounds with the innate power to equalize Givers and Receivers. It quickens wholeness. And it does so, not only by producing the fruit of relationship in us, but also by producing a fruit that remains. Rom 7:4; Lk 8:14-15; Jn 15:16 The mutual, two-way loving which goes on in LEVEL THREE giving has as its end-goal this wholeness; the equalization of every member of God s Family into a oneness of love. When we live in this two-way path as Givers, we are edified in our natural and spiritual esteem [joy] by the giving of a specific and equally valued gift: Relational Love When we live in this two-way path as Receivers; we are humbled in the love we receive from one another, a genuine love [life] which is: Christ Himself shared between us As children of God in this inter-active path; we are found obediently submitting ourselves to the Holy Spirit s wisdom regarding how to give & receive in an unconditional love which: Produces and proliferates relationship In respect to each of these three points: Everything given and everything received is equally valued, because the real gift is never the outwardly seen thing given, but instead; the unconditional love contained within it. 6

7 This equalized form of relationship is what most closely reflects the relationship of Oneness shared between God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. This kind of relationship-based giving is therefore a very large part of the individual wholeness which God desires for each one of us A wholeness, which once possessed, can then be translated congregationally unto and into the entire Body of Christ. Jn 17:21-23 When we give and receive in this way, our actions create an increased unity and relational bond of peace in the Body. However, even though man tries to produce this with forms of programmed ecumenicalism, there is only one way to achieve its reality: The sole power able to conceive; maintain; and grow this unity and peace is: Faith which worketh by love Gal 5:6 If we are to experience this peace there must be a joint act of faith from each party; one which exceeds a role-based interaction with people, to instead; enter into and embrace a truly relational involvement. Such relational involvement is not a natural, but a spiritual equality - An equal contribution of love given freely by each party, one-to-the-other in genuine faith. To receive this love, each of us must first make the choice to sow it into others. 7

8 - Our Exchange Currency One might certainly inquire as to how such an equality could ever be possible in this grossly un-balanced world of prosperity-vs-poverty? Well, the answer to this is two-fold. First: We are talking about a spiritual balance of the Kingdom of God able to supersede these natural realities found in the world And Secondly: We are talking about developing this Community of Equality with the unlimited riches of a spiritual currency. As the Church, we live in an imbalanced natural world, but we are not of that imbalanced world. We are now of the Kingdom of God and Christ Himself. And in this new Kingdom; all that we have and all that we are is His. When all that we have and all that we are is placed in the hand of our Lord; then in exchange for this: Christ gives Himself unto us. He becomes our Kingdom All in All in a way that: The only exchange currency that moves between us as God s children is Christ Himself, the Perfect love of God. For we being many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread [Christ Himself] 1 Cor 10:17 When we share the things we have Beloved, we are sharing Christ by making His Hand seen. This we should do with His guidance. Yet when we exceed the sharing of what we possess, to share our own hearts and souls with others as well; it is in this giving that we truly become the life-giving, spiritual bread of His Perfect Love to them. Jn 6:32-51 This is why God calls us in our giving to surrender ourselves entirely unto the specific wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. His counsel has purpose. Because what He intends to guide us into are really just more perfect ways to become this bread of life to others. 8

9 For this reason, our giving decisions should not be made without prayer. Never should we judge what needs be done with our natural mind or emotions. We should pray. We should bow. We should humble ourselves to ask. And then, obey God s leading of our heart. In respect to whatever may be given, all is equal in Christ when given in love. One of the greatest gifts I have ever received came from a dirtpoor, ten year old Bolivian girl named Christain. Twelve small achachairú, wrapped in a dirty piece of black plastic bag. Christian and her Mother lived in a small community far out in the country. Every other Saturday we would visit this community; take them rice and sugar; and share the Word of God. Christian always showed up. And Christian liked me a lot! One Saturday when we arrived, I was unloading the trunk of the car, when Christian appeared with something in her hands. It was a dirty piece of black plastic bag, (something she had probably picked up out of a field or from the side of the road); and Christian, who is very shy, was mutely holding it out toward me. I pulled the top of the plastic back and saw the fruit inside. I didn t recognize it. I had never seen or tasted an achachairú before; but I reached in; took one out; and smiling at Christian, thanked her. But then, she teared-up... And suddenly, I realized what was happening. Before I was probably even dressed that day, while I was still putting on shoes or shaving, this little 10 year old girl was leaving her house to cross three fields; climb a tree; and pick all of this fruit as a gift for me, in love Christian gave me the best she had to offer. The fruit was only the wrapper. The real gift was a love that exceeded material riches. And the One who I am sure led her in this act was God Himself, because God is Love. In respect to when, how, and unto whom we are supposed to give; the Word of God clearly instructs us to submit to; trust in; and actively obey the Holy Spirit s guiding counsel. We should never act apart from it; because the One doing the leading is Love Himself. Beloved, if you will begin to practice this fundamental principle, then from the treasure house of Christ within you, the Holy Spirit will shed abroad (i.e. apportion) God s love in every area of your life in more perfect ways. Jn 16:13-15; Rom 5:5 9

10 - Connecting Possibility & Responsibility You have heard it said, God wants to bless us to make us a blessing to others. Well, there is extreme potential in that statement; but only if we understand it correctly. This is not a naturally comprehendible concept. It is a spiritual principle and immutable law which, try as we might; we can never mechanize into a humanly-controlled production program; at least not without killing the spiritual life in it. When we submit ourselves to Jesus Lordship for Him to direct our giving by His Spirit; we enter humility A platform upon which we do not decide or do anything on our own, but instead; offer ourselves to God that He may do through us. From this platform of humility our giving is primarily done unto God as an obedience of love expressed toward Him. Giving to men is a subsequent act; one which becomes blessed with life only when it follows our obedient submission to Christ s Lordship. Contrary to this platform and perspective, we often approach God to receive with the idea of: The more I have, the more I can give. Whether we realize it or not; what we are really seeking with this mind-set is a platform of power (usually financial) from which we may operate in self-determined good works apart from Christ s directive Lordship. Our intentions in this may be good, but our spiritual understanding is lacking. And the result of this ignorance (or denial of truth) is that many valuable principles of Biblical Prosperity have become corrupt in our modern-day churches. Our focus of love should not be looking inward toward self-empowerment, (i.e. receiving blessing to do); but outward toward God s perfect will for others, to obey We should not focus upon what we feel we can give, but instead; discern what God s desire is for us to give (or not give); and then do only what He reveals to us Having once discerned God s mind in prayer, we should not only purpose in our hearts to give that which He directs, but we should do so cheerfully in unconditional love We must cease counting ourselves able (within ourselves apart from God) to decide what to give; how to give; and unto whom we should give. For if we would know the truth; leaning upon our own understanding in this way is sin. Jn 15:5-6; Pro 3:5-8 What God has placed under our administrative stewardship should be apportioned out in accordance with the Holy Spirit s guidance. In giving, as in all things; we should follow the counsel of the Holy Spirit even as we follow Christ. Our giving is not about any natural quantity, form, or worldly value. It is simply about walking in the faith which works by love; because He who has Christ lacks nothing. 10

11 Having this abundance of Christ to give away in love; (and humbly seeking to give it by following the Holy Spirit s specific guidance); will always cause us to have all sufficiency for every good work in the Lord s perfect will. This we can be assured of, because: Christ always gives Himself into the perfect will of the Father and our humility. 1 Pet 5:5; 2 Cor 9:8 What we must come to understand is that the things we think we are giving are usually just the wrapping around the gift, not the true treasure wrapped within them. If the Holy Spirit directs me to give a man $1,000 that I have in my possession; and the Holy Spirit then directs that man to give me an apple which he has in his possession It is neither the money nor the fruit that is important, but the love manifested in the obedience. The money and the fruit are just carriers of this love, passed between one another. Our love for God is expressed by seeking His mind and obeying His Spirit in doing what He asks of us Our love for each other is expressed by spiritually valuing relationship above the natural form of any particular gift This is the Kingdom view which God would have us embrace. For it is our love, (not what it comes wrapped in); the thing which imparts the equal and abundant gift of Christ to others. 11

12 - Principles of Lordship in Giving In the exterior world of Haves and Have-Nots needs are really only road signs which lead to relationship opportunities. Very often however, we lack sensitivity to the Holy Spirit s guidance. And because of this, we mis-read the signs. It is a spiritual error on our part if we see and respond to needs with the natural mind apart from seeking guidance from God s Spirit. Not stopping to consciously seek the Holy Spirit s guidance in our giving, (before deciding how to act), is an all too common error in the Church. Yet when we fail to take pause and do this: We fail to give Christ the necessary Lordship over what we have, so that it may be distributed according to His most perfect will. This is not to say we have no responsibility to act. God gives us light. He gives us understanding so that we make wise decisions in accordance with His mind and heart. Buy when we make the mistake of looking at giving with the natural mind only; apart from this light we consequently act in a natural rational verses a spiritual wisdom: We neglect to submit our proposed response to God in a way wherein He may affirm His agreement and impart unto us His wisdom We become emotionally influenced, and thereby; guided by emotion We see our giving potential only in quantitative measures of natural capacity We see our giving as being a good work toward men instead of an obedience toward God We focus upon solutions to the need we see more than the opportunity of relationship presented us In respect to God s will regarding genuine, healthy relationship; this natural mind-set I ve described tends to ensnare us in something called: A Savior-Victim Complex. This emotions-based Complex drives specific, self-determined actions. It does not lead to humility. It leads to autonomous decision and actions made independent from God. When influenced by this Complex, we see the need; we desire to help the need; and we believe we can relieve the need; because in our own minds, we conclude that we have the naturally-measured means to do so. (i.e. usually financial capacity) This is a common experience among people who are sensitive to the plight of other human beings in their suffering. It is a compassion which should and does call us to love. Yet the Bible warns us very clearly against being guided by its emotion. We are specifically instructed to seek God s guidance in all our ways. In fact, the scriptures unequivocally tell us to: Never lean upon your own understanding. Pro 3:5-8 12

13 - Voids & Voices Walking in the Spirit is about the fundamental focus of doing all things unto God; not unto men. We are not called to walk in our own well-intentioned will towards others. We are called to submit ourselves to God as living sacrifices; seek-out His will in prayer; and then do towards men that which He shows us is His desire. Rom 12:1; Col 3:23 The most deceptive element of this Savior-Victim Complex is that it very subtly moves us away from this platform of humble submission and onto a platform of autonomous, selfdetermination. Our initial experience relative to the need we see is pure. We feel compassion and are led to respond in the same. Yet when we allow the emotion of that compassion to guide us instead of God; we exile God from the process and give the devil access to our flesh. Eph 4:27 If that is allowed to happen, a void is created. And in the silent space of God s exiled Presence; two corruptive, persuasive deceivers rise up speak to us in His place: Self-Righteousness We are influenced and inclined to act, because consciously or unconsciously, we are driven to do so that we may feel good about ourselves (i.e. think ourselves good) The act makes us feel more approved unto God, but in truth, it is sin An act which separates us from God and denies the completed work of the cross by adding to it Self-Focus We are influenced and inclined to act upon the need more than toward the person, because solving the need makes us feel momentarily powerful (i.e. like saviors), whereas engaging relationship calls us to a more long-term responsibility (i.e. servants) Our decision to act is considered more from the perspective of how it will affect us in the long run, than it is upon helping the person or accepting any responsibility of relationship **************************** Allowing ourselves to be governed by such a spirit sabotages the will of God and damages our own lives. It makes us ignore God s mind when we should be seeking it It makes us blind to the guided wisdom He wants us receive from the Holy Spirit It shuns humility and embraces pride It exalts self-analysis over God s mind; and self-determination over God s will It sabotages potential for greater relationship 13

14 Seeing things with only our natural sight leads us to consider our ability (i.e. power) to respond to need It causes us to meditatively entertain the idea of exercising power. This analytical meditation upon natural capacity gets us thinking about exercising that power to save someone from something and when we have meditated in this way long enough; we are led to a carnal instead of spiritual end: We decide to become a Savior to a Victim. This kind of giving is not spiritual but soulical. It promotes independence, not submissive humility. It is not spiritual or biblical; only rational and reactive. It is not God s best. God s spiritual design regarding giving (and every other act of faith) is that our personal faith be directed by the counsel of His Spirit. Jesus has been made Wisdom unto us. And if we will take pause to seek Him as Wisdom and allow Him to guide us; we will see marvelously different dimensions of each of these giving levels begin to take shape. NOTE: When I speak of levels here, you must understand that I am not talking about a one-is-better-than-the-other sort of thing. Instead, each of these forms of giving are different tools to be utilized at different times and places in accordance with the Holy Spirit s guidance. There is a time and season to all things. Ecc 3:1 The relationship between our ability to give and the need of other people to receive is designed to be orchestrated and directed in very specific ways by God s Spirit. The Holy Spirit resides in us to illuminate different levels, or ports, or connection-points which are able to connect us into other people s lives. His purposed goal is relationship; not simply the alleviation of a need. These relational connection points can only be discerned in prayer. It is there that we must see them. And it is there that we must allow God s wisdom to show us how to engage them in grace. Our acceptance of this responsibility to engage relationship (i.e. love unconditionally) is also our obedience. When accomplished, it becomes our love expressed to God as well as men. Yet to successfully walk that love out, we need the Holy Spirit s revelational guidance. Our natural mind often neglects the greater costs of relational inter-action by accomplishing a compensating sacrifice toward need. This can be very deceiving. And this is why we need to submit every opportunity presented to us unto Christ, that He may direct us with His wisdom. These levels of giving are equal tools of love when applied in their proper time and place. Each ascending level of giving (in accordance with relative opportunity) brings with it an increasing level of relationship; and thus, responsibility. Hopefully the following examples will act as thumbnails for you to see how responsibility and relational impact can be measured in each different level of giving. 14

15 LEVEL ONE: Writing a check to help someone who cannot help themselves is valuable, admirable, and right; but even when directed by the Holy Spirit; this level of giving does not reach unto true relationship, unless this level is later exceeded by follow-on actions of relationship. This giving requires obedience; but it requires little or no relationship commitment of responsibility from either the Giver or the Receiver LEVEL TWO: Collaborating in a personal way with someone in specifically agreed roles, (to reach a specific goal); is a more valuable act. This is the first level of financial giving which touches upon active personal relationship and responsibility. Here, God leads us toward greater sensitivity to relationship. Yet even here, our commitments still remain primarily role-based in a goal-oriented focus apart from the relationship itself. This giving requires obedience, however; focusing upon a mutual goal is not as much relationship-centered as it is role-based. LEVEL THREE: Needs simply serve as platforms of opportunity for relationship. God also operates on this level to develop our sensitivity to His Spirit; teaching us to walk by our inner man s hearing & seeing over our natural mind s perceptions and judgments. This is a relational person-to-person focus between Giver & Receiver This is a relational spirit-to-spirit focus between Giver & the Holy Spirit Outward effects of financial works become overshadowed by the birth and continuance of a living & growing relationship As a rule, we are so accustomed to what is almost an exclusive use of LEVEL ONE giving that we often fail to recognize or respond to potential LEVEL TWO or LEVEL THREE opportunities which present themselves. Instead, almost automatically; we slip into LEVEL ONE responses because this is all we really know. It is my sincerest hope however, that even though this overview has been brief; it will help you to better recognize the distinction between these different forms of giving and the Holy Spirit s leading in each of them. 15

16 A Final Caution It is impossible to force a Level One opportunity to operate with Level Two or Level Three relational capabilities You can t do it And you should not try We are not in control of which level of opportunity presents itself to us. However, discerning our opportunities and responding to them correctly is a personal responsibility; and one which can only be done well if our own personal intimacy with God is rightly maintained. Vertical Life Ministries operates in all three levels of this giving and receiving. We strive however, (wherever and whenever possible), to be used by God as effective facilitators of Level Two & Level Three relational connections. Our faith is to see two-way relationships increase between brethren in the broadest scope of the Kingdom of God in the earth. Jesus called us to a relational Kingdom. Thus, discipleship exceeds the impartation of biblical principles based upon knowledge alone. It must prove itself capable of teaching & showing men How to live in a Kingdom Relationship which increases their personal ability to maturely and effectively love both God and men. The Kingdom is not in word, but in power. In the context of our giving, that power is an outwardly expressed love designed to seek the embrace of relationship; not just fix needs. Doing this imitates Jesus; who identified with us in Perfect Love, not by fixing our problems but by unashamedly embracing our person in responsible relationship; desiring nothing less than that we might be made one with His own heart. It is my sincerest hope that nothing stated in my personal perspective on giving will be misunderstood. ALL giving is valuable. The Lord has simply given me a heart to facilitate, (where possible), the deepest and most intimate relationship connections possible between both Giver and Receiver; hopefully increasing the joy of each, as well as that of the Lord. For a free study guide on this subject; write to Vertical_Life_Bolivia@Yahoo.com, request: Refining Our Spiritual Stewardship Skills in Giving 16