Finally!
The Chicago Cubs can “Fly the W” as the winner of the 2016 World Series!
Congratulations as the longest drought in championship history is now over.
Last night, during the epic Cubs-Indians game 7, there was much discussion from all the broadcasters on one subject and one subject alone: Managing
Should Joe Maddon, manager of the Chicago Cubs have used a certain pitcher in the previous game?
Who should Terry Francona, manager of the Cleveland Indians substitute for certain players?
Will Maddon put in this pitcher or that pitcher in the next inning?
Will Francona pitch to this batter or intentionally walk that batter?
The second guessing, the analysis, the evaluation and the judgment of the managers last night by the broadcasters was endless.
Endless of course until the Cubs secured the victory and were able to “Fly the W!” (A tradition when the Cubs win a game is to fly a flag with the letter W on it)
Interesting how the Owners of each respective team was rarely, if ever mentioned.
Honestly, I cannot even tell you who the owners are of each team.
The focus of the conversation was on the Managers.
This Sunday, November 6th, is Stewardship Sunday at MVPC where we, as a congregation will have the honor, privilege, joy and blessing of offering to God our 2017 financial commitment card as an act of worship.
God, the owner of this world and all of creation and Lord of our lives and hearts has entrusted all these aforementioned items into our care as “Managers.”
We are not the owners!
We are the managers!
God has provided us with all the necessities of life as the owner.
How will we be “stewards”? In other words, how will we be managers of said resources?
Do we manage life or does life manage us?
Do we manage our finances or do our finances manage us?
Do we manage God or does God manage us?
Here is what I have learned over the years about being a “Steward” (Manager) of God’s resources…
- It is better to give than receive (very scriptural – Acts 20: 35)
- Giving back to God 10% of my income (tithing) has been the best managerial decision of my life. (Gen. 14: 19-20 / Gen. 28: 20-22 / Malachi 3: 10-12 / Hebrews 7: 1-2)
- God can do more with my 90% than I can do with my 100%. (See number 2) When I keep all the money to myself, I always seem to run out. When I give away 10% God always stretches my 90% in to more than enough.
- Malachi 3:10 – “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” It is the only place in all of scripture where God says, “Test me…” Let me encourage you to put God to the test and give 10% and watch the blessings pour down!
- “Give until it hurts” – We have all heard this line before. Here is the truth I have experienced – The only time I hurt is when I don’t give. I have never hurt by giving of my resources, my time, my talents and my energies.
- Giving is a great way to be “God-like.” John 3: 16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
I could go on and on…
Let me encourage you to pray and after praying, be bold.
As our Stewardship Theme has been this fall, let us be “Fearlessly Generous” in our commitment to God and watch God pour out blessings which will simply and profoundly take our breath away…
As a church, as a community of faith, as a body of believers let’s do one thing this Sunday
FLY THE W!!
Grace and peace,
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
David@seeinggodatworkeveryday.com
Thanks, David. What you wrote has been abundantly true in my life over many years. And it’s a relief to just have to manage my time, money, etc., so I can be freely generous with His money, not mine.
Good Afternoon David: Boy, did I make a mistake last night. When you are 87 years old and night time arrives, it’s bedtime. Verna and I watched until they rolled out the tarp. I told Verna that the rain delay could go on forever, so we had a vote, and we turned off the TV and went to bed. (The vote was unanimous). What a pleasant surprise when I picked up the paper this AM. The only time I get involved in watching baseball is the Worlds Series and then It’s no more than one half a game as the series continues. We broke tradition on game seven and watched all 9 innings. Yes, I noticed that they zeroed in on managers far more than usual. Owners pay big bucks for players and then are truly hidden in the back ground. Re: commitment Sunday, Verna and I are ready…. she lets me manage the financial affairs, but I get her permission for expenditures. As I am typing this, I am looking at our envelope which is ready. Verna always asks, at Church, where is our envelope and I remind her that we give via VISA so we don’t have envelopes. We were one of the first ones, at church, to use Visa. When I was on the finance committee, I helped set up the Visa program. That was before I had to resign from committees, as well as being a Deacon, so I could spend full time as a caregiver of my very best friend. Looking forward to seeing all of the CUBS shirts at church. God won’t mind as long as everyone remembers to give, and then add 10-25% to their planned giving….I did, only it was more! Give our love to Julie, the children and YOU! Jerry
Good Morning, David:
I don’t know if you remember me, but our daughter, Jessica Vandenheuvel, attended the University of Dubuque during your tenure there. I love keeping up on your ministry and enjoy your “Seeing God at Work Every Day” readings.
Scott and I are now ministering at a church in McAlester, OK, which is south of Tulsa. We moved in July 2016 and are loving it here, although it is VERY hot and humid here! Jessica is an RN in Bloomington, IL, where we had moved from, and our youngest daughter, Emily, was married in 2015 and is living in central WI. We are kind of spread all over, still having our parents and family in MN!
I have a question for you: I am the administrator of our new church website and Facebook page. I was wondering if I could quote some of your material from your Seeing God at Work Every Day. I would list where I copied the information from (Pastor David Dendy, Seeing God at Work Every Day) and list your church if you would like me to. I try to do my own postings but some days, I read yours and would love to share your wisdom & teachings with others.
Hope you are doing well at your church in Nevada, I believe. Our children are growing up so fast!
I hope to hear from you soon.
In Christ,
Dawn Vandenheuvel
On Thu, Nov 3, 2016 at 9:25 AM, Seeing God At Work Every Day wrote:
> dwdendy posted: ” Finally! The Chicago can “Fly the W” as the winner of > the 2016 World Series! Congratulations as the longest drought in > championship history is now over. Last night, during the epic Cubs-Indians > game 7, there was much discussion from all the broadcast” >