PDA - Daily Devotional Janauary 2nd, 2009

Daily Bible Reading - Genesis 2, Matthew 2, Ezra 2, Acts 2

PDA

This weekend we start a series entitled PDA - public displays of affection. When we first see PDA or hear about it, it automatically solicits some sort of response. Those responses usually fall into one of the following categories: The "ewwwww gross get a room category" or the "ahhh look at those two love birds" category. No matter what the responses is one thing is for sure, you know that those two are into each other.

God wants others to know that we are into Him. God is into PDA! Acts 2:41-47 says, "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved". In this passage it shows us what happens when people would get saved, they would show there affection for God. They showed it through going to church, fellowship with one another, serving one another, devoting themselves to The Word and in giving. All of these are PDA in the kingdom of God.

Giving though is one of those PDA's that many people say "Eww gross get a room" to. It is ok to talk about giving of our time or talent but the minute we talk about giving of money people shy away. I believe the reason for this is because money has often times been mishandled by people in the church. This however does not negate the fact that as you look at the New Testament church they were a very giving and generous people. This generosity as you see in Acts 2 was very much linked to their possessions or prosperity.

The Bible says in Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". Treasure in this verse is speaking of finances and it links those finances to the heart. So when we give financially it is very much an expression of what is taking place in the heart. When we talk about giving in church and more specifically tithing many people will argue whether or not tithing is biblical. The fact of the matter is, it is in the Bible so therefore it is Biblical. Then they will say, "but it is under the law or in the Old Testament". I am totally fine with that argument because that means you are an Acts 2 giver which means you give all your possessions and let them be distributed by the church.

Here is the truth of the matter if every believer was generous as in Acts 2 or if they just simply believed in the tithing principle there would be alot less poverty. Just look back at Malachi 3 to see what God promises if we give. I am an example of what happens when you live a generous life style and apply the tithing principle. No one can argue with my personal testimony, and my family and I are blessed today because we have put God first in this area of our lives.

To find out more about our series and specifically this topic, join us this weekend at Urban or on line. I challenge you to put God first in the area of giving, do some PDA in this area and see what happens.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Genesis 3, Matthew 3, Ezra 3, Acts 3

Dream Big
Ben