Pantano Christian Church

Tithing is giving God the first 10% of your income. Many have declared that it is an Old Testament law and practice that Jesus did not endorse. The concept of tithing has been viewed as old fashioned and out-dated. It is true that Jesus never commanded anyone to give a tithe. But he did say that our right doing should exceed that of the religious teachers and Pharisees who did tithe (Matthew 5:20).

The Old Testament principle of the tithe is that we give God the first and best 10% of our income. In an agrarian or farming culture this is called the principle of the first fruit or harvest. God instructed his people to give the first and best fruit or harvest or livestock of the season. It is putting him first. We don’t wait to give him the end of the season stuff that is worth less.

God is not greedy. He allows us to live on the second 90%. I see the tithe as a gift to help us put our greed in check. I’ll be honest, there are days when I think about how much we give to God and dream about all the things I could buy or do with that money. But the unwavering commitment to the tithe keeps my own greed and materialism in check. God knew we needed the tithe.

The percentage idea of the tithe is ingenious. If our income goes down, we give less on a percentage basis. If our income grows, so does our giving. But remember that Jesus said our right doing should exceed or do better than the law requires. The 10% tithe is just the beginning! I call it the tithe plus. My wife and I have decided to exceed the 10%. The more we give the more we experience God’s blessed kindness (that doesn’t mean we don’t ever experience set backs). We never go wrong when we put God first and give him the best and not the left-overs.

Both my wife and I are both experiencing decreases in our income while our expenses (we have two kids in college) are increasing. The last thing we’ll cut back on is giving to Jesus. First, we’ll cut eating out, entertainment, home projects, and delay purchases in order to maintain a balanced budget and not go into debt.

No matter how much or how little we make, no matter how big our expenses or how complex our financial situation, we have found that God’s plan works and we will always tithe first.

Together to make a difference;

Glen

God created us male and female and he created marriage as a blessed gift (Gen. 1:27, 28; 2:24). But sometimes cultures and the church have been guilty of making marriage appear as the state that is not only the norm but the greatest thing to aspire to. Yes, research consistently says that those who are married are wealthier, healthier, live longer and have an overall better quality of life. But does that mean to be single is to be doomed to a lesser life? That is not what the Bible teaches.

Here is the consistent teaching of the Bible. Marriage is not easy and it carries huge responsibilities. If you can be single that is a better way as it allows one to be fully devoted to Jesus. Whether you are currently single or married – be happy where you are. Learn to be content as a married or single person. Look at what Jesus and Paul say. I’ll let them speak for themselves!

For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. (Matthew 19:12 – NIV)

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Corinthians 7:8 & 9)

Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. (1 Corinthians 7:27 & 28)

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs-how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-how he can please his wife- and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world-how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)

What’s the take away? Hurray for marriage! Hurray for singleness! No matter our status, we find our security, significance, joy, hope and fulfillment in the Lord. Whether married or single we’ll find there are both rewards and challenges. If you are single and God has given you that gift, embrace it and make yourself fully available to Jesus.

Glen

With Valentines this week I thought I would talk about two things. First is our Marriage Simulcast. Guys or gals, this would be a great Valentines gift (for those who have procrastinated or worse, forgot). The conference is put on by Focus on the family and is called “Focus on Marriage, Seeing Your Marriage through the Eyes of God”.

This landmark event will show you what your relationship looks like through God’s eyes. Focus on Marriage will help you understand the higher purpose of your marriage, while providing practical insights to help with everyday issues.

There’s a great line up of speakers including Beth Moore, Dr. Gary Smalley, Dr. John Trent, Gary Thomas, Dr. Del Tacket and special music from Jeremy Camp. It will be viewed live via satellite on Saturday, February 28th. We will begin at 9:00 AM in Towne Hall and it ends at 4:00 PM. We do not have childcare available for this event. The cost is $45 per couple and lunch is available for $7 each (pre register). You can sign up in the church office, on-line under East Tucson Upcoming Events (there is a link to register and pay), or at the Family Ministries table at weekend services.

Second, there’s the matter of compatibility. There are the famous E-harmony.com commercials promising to help you find the one who’s truly compatible. The service can help you find a mate, but they have compatibility all wrong.

Genesis 2:20-23 teaches that God made marriage as a place for and of compatibility. But it is not about being like each other, it is about being different.

God made Eve to be a “helper” (ezer in Hebrew) to Adam. Ezer in Hebrew can be translated “helper.” It can also mean “strength”. So catch the wonderful connection. Adam says that he and Eve share the same bones and flesh. Bones are symbols for strength and flesh for weakness. So Adam is saying; “Where I am weak, she is strong. Where she is weak, I am strong.” That’s an amazing complimentary relationship. They were meant to balance each other and compliment each other. They “help” each other.

When I got this it revolutionized our marriage. I quit trying to “fix” my wife. I saw her weaknesses and wanted to make her like me (yes, very foolishness and arrogant). The breakthrough came through a simple little phrase – “Appreciate differences.” And from there I realized that in fact where Jolene was weak, I was strong. But where I was weak, she was strong. On the surface, we were very different and thus “incompatible.” Yet our differences compliment each other.

Happy Valentines Day!

Glen

What I love about Pantano is that our hearts are drawn to the very people God’s heart is drawn to – the lost, the hurting and the poor. Here’s just a surface glance at what we are doing as we follow Jesus who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28).

Life-changing Clean Water
The following is from David Thoresen’s International Outreach Newsletter. “Thank you Pantano! You gave so generously at the Christmas Eve offering this past December that we can purchase 17 water purification systems! The first six will be installed this month in Bihar, India. On January 14th we trained nine people on how to install (6 more are on tap to be trained), maintain and train other ministry partners on the use of these water purification systems. What’s the big deal about clean water? Consider these facts:

• Contaminated water is the #1 cause of death in developing countries. 80% of all sickness in the world is attributed to unsafe water and sanitation.
• Water purification systems purify up to 10,000 gallons of water per day. They kill all the germs in the water.
• PCC will train our partners in the set up and maintenance of the systems. Our partners will do the hygiene, sanitation and water source protection training.”
Thank you Pantano for your generous giving that makes this possible. You can see an example of the system in the church lobby.

Winter Homeless Shelter
Twice a month (Nov.-Feb.) we house homeless men who are case managed by the Salvation Army. We provide two meals, a warm bed and a fun relaxing respite. If you or your life group would like to help with food or just hang out with the guys, contact Tom Taylor at 298-5395 ext. 224.

3 Years of Service in 2008!
Here’s an amazing fact that just blows me away: in 2008 1070 Pantano folks served an average of 43 hours making a difference to those outside our church walls (that doesn’t even count all of us who also served our own PCC community). That means 1070 folks gave what is equal to one work week. That means Pantano gave 3 years of a normal work week to serve others. That comes from a real connection to God’s heart. May our hearts grow even larger and our service even broader. May we continue to touch even more lives, families, communities and villages with God’s love in 2009.

Together to make a difference,

Glen