More Than the Gift
By Larry Robinson
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Podcast Description
Monday’s meditation is the podcast segment of the “More Than The Gift” ministry. I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought” for the week and then to let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. This podcast is also available at the iTunes Store
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Monday's Meditation - Our Preparation For Our Inheritance - Repost | When our twin sons were infants, my wife and I researched investment options to save funds for their future. One very interesting option was a gift trust managed by a prominent investment firm. This investment had a remarkable track of performance. It had increased in value by more than 20% for each of the preceding 10 years. However, there was one characteristic of the trust that concerned us. It was an irrevocable trust, which required that any contributions we made become the permanent property of the trust for the benefit of our sons. We could put money in but we couldn’t decide later to take it out. At the predetermined time the trust would be available for our sons to use as they wished. We could not decide to withhold the funds if they made poor choices. That was a very scary thought because in spite of our love for our sons, we knew it was impossible to predict whether our infant sons would become wise stewards as adults. We had no desire to pre-fund unwise choices they might choose to make later. Prudence suggested that we invest the funds in a manner where we would retain control over their distribution. So, we chose not to commit substantial treasure to our sons’ ownership prior to their developing and demonstrating the judgment to handle it. However, we simultaneously committed to using a weekly allowance to help them acquire and demonstrate that judgment. While their allowance was small, it seemed big to them. It gave them the opportunity to acquire basic skills for handling wealth by practicing with a small amount. Handling their allowance was a foundational step in preparation for incremental increases in responsibility and eventually receipt of their inheritance. When I think about it, it becomes clear that God gives each of us opportunities for earthly stewardship to prepare us in very much the same way. This podcast is a continuation the series of podcasts regarding the theme : "What Our Giving Accomplishes". As always, I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 5/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - Positioned For Greater Blessing - Repost | The Holy Scripture is full of rich and wonderful promises for the believer. They are exciting to uncover and humbling to ponder. Each promise reveals the matchless nature of God’s love for us and the benefits He wants us to experience through our relationship with Him. Some promises are simply our birthright, as we become daughters and sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Others promises are rewards or blessings that flow from our actions. In this spirit, God has ordained that abundant blessings flow from our giving. As a result, our giving actually positions us for greater blessings than we would otherwise experience. I am reminded of the Old Testament account of the widow from Zarephath. When Elijah met the widow, by her own admission, she and her family were positioned to die. Their circumstances had brought them to the point of starvation. Then God sent Elijah with a word of hope, but this word of promise was preceded by a request that the widow give from the very last of her provision. As she gave, she and her family were repositioned. Rather than being recipients of death, they became recipients of an increase in their food supply, an increase in health and an increase in faith. Greater blessings flowed from her giving than she ever imagined. This podcast is a continuation the series of podcasts regarding the theme : "What Our Giving Accomplishes". As always, I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 4/25/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - Our Fellowship In Ministry - Repost | Every now and then, I am reminded that our human experiences often convey spiritual messages. Not so long ago, as I was carrying a large box through our home, my youngest son stopped me and asked “Daddy can I help?” A part of me wanted to politely reject his offer. The item was awkward and heavy and his attempt at assistance would actually slow down the progress I could achieve alone. However, when I looked down into his eyes I realized the true significance of the moment. The task at hand immediately lost its importance and I turned my focus to my son. I told him to grab a corner of the box. I repositioned my grip to make certain that there was no more weight on his corner than he could bear. As he placed his tiny hands on the box, his eyes began to glisten. Together we completed the chore but now with a greater sense of fulfillment and joy. On the human level, God allowed me to see that there is a bond that grows out of our co-laboring together. My son’s partnering with me in my activity gave us an opportunity to fellowship together. Our working together actually nurtured our growing together. On the spiritual level, God allowed me to see that my activity with the Lord has the same effect. It’s not that God needs my help to carry the load or get the job done faster but when God allows me to participate with Him, God is offering me an opportunity for fellowship. After I received this spiritual message, God then led me to consider the profound implications this revelation has for my giving. My giving is never meant to be a burden. God does all of the heavy lifting. He is just inviting me to come along side His activity. When I extend my hands to help and I think about what God is really doing, like my son, my eyes begin to glisten with joy at the opportunity for fellowship through co-laboring with my Father. This podcast is a continuation the series of podcasts regarding the theme : "What Our Giving Accomplishes". As always, I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 4/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - God's Provision For Ministry - Repost | While serving as the budget chairperson for my local church, I observed that many Christians struggle with the quantity of church funds that are expended for the compensation of church workers and benevolence ministries. The care extended to the church staff members and the less fortunate can be viewed as poor stewardship by some believers. Yet the familiar scripture , Malachi 3:10, still reads: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house….” I wonder how often we consider the practical intent of that statement. The food wasn’t for ministry programs. It was for people. It was for the workers of ministry and the less fortunate. This approach was designed by God and reflects His intent for the support of ministry both then and now. This is the first in the series of podcasts regarding the theme : "What Our Giving Accomplishes". As always, I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 4/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - The Giver's Treasure & Heart Repost | God desires to give us eternal life. However, eternal life is not measured by the length of our existence. It is measured by the depth of our relationship with the Father and the Son (John 17:3). God offers us the opportunity to give that we might experience life in Him more abundantly. He knows that we cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve both God and money. When material accumulation takes an unhealthy position in our value systems, He often allows us to be confronted with that critical question of choice: “Your Money or Your Life?” Sadly, when faced with that choice, many believers respond “I’m thinking”. Today’s episode is the final episode in the series affirming the importance of what our giving reveals. Our next podcast will begin the series affirming the importance of what our giving accomplishes. As always, I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 4/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - The Giver's Reverence - Repost | I was curious about the background of the Halloween tradition. Given its name, I never quite understood what it was really about. The root word "hallow" means to make holy, to sanctify, to set apart for God. Although the costumes, candy, dunking for apples and carving of pumpkins may be fun, our celebrations often do not make clear what (if anything) is being hallowed. The observance does not have a simply heritage. It evolved from a mixture of Christian and non-Christian traditions. The emphasis of the modern celebrations clearly reflects more of the non-Christian traditions, and because we have lost sight of or are unfamiliar with the original intent, many of us fail to fulfill the godly purpose in the Christian portion of the tradition. While I considered those thoughts, Deuteronomy 14: 22&23 came to mind. This passage begins with an instruction that could easily be paraphrased “Be sure to hallow a tithe of all you produce each year” and the passage ends by explaining the purpose “ so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always”. Reflecting on this passage, I realized that our reverence for the Lord is enhanced as we hallow our offertory gifts to Him. As I think about offertory giving in our churches today, I wonder how often givers consider their gifts as holy, sanctified, specifically set apart for God. I wonder if our approach to giving helps us to learn to reverence the Lord. I wonder, if as with Halloween, many of us have lost sight of the intent and therefore fail to fulfill God’s intended purpose for our giving. In today’s episode, we continue to affirm the importance of what our giving reveals. As always, I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 3/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - The Giver's Stewardship - Repost | Jesus begins the parable regarding an unjust steward ( Luke 16) with a master telling his servant that the servant must give an account of his stewardship. Like that servant , a day of reckoning will come for each of us. On that day, our deeds will declare our allegiance and answer Jesus’ implied question: Whose steward are you? In today’s episode, we continue to affirm the importance of what the gift reveals, even though God is actually interested in more than the gift itself. I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 3/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - The Giver's Understanding Of God's Ownership - Repost | Genesis records that God entrusted mankind with stewardship of the earth. The trap that mankind falls into over an over again is that we (like Nebuchadnezzar) confuse stewardship with ownership. Whatever dominion God allows us to experience represents delegated authority not a transfer of title. That which we seemingly obtained through our efforts still belongs to God. Failing to reconcile the issue of true ownership leads to confusion in our relationship with the Lord and our response to Him. When we fail to acknowledge God’s ownership, we tend to behave like we are out of our minds. In today’s episode, we continue to affirm the importance of what the gift reveals, even though God is actually interested in more than the gift itself. I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 3/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - The Giver's Gratitude - Repost | Ten lepers stood by the side of the road, at a distance, calling in a loud voice to Jesus for mercy and grace. Ten lepers demonstrated their faith by following Jesus’ instruction that they behave as if they were healed even before their healing visibly manifested itself. Ten lepers received a miracle and yet only one returned to acknowledge his healing. Only one threw himself at Jesus’ feet. Only one used his loud voice to render praise and thanksgiving. Seeing this, Jesus asked his disciples “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” This biblical story reminds me that each day, each one of us should consider whether we are more like the "one" or more like the "nine"? In today’s episode, we continue to affirm the importance of what the gift reveals, even though God is actually interested in more than the gift itself. I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 3/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - The Giver's Love - Repost | It was February of 1999. For several months, I had shared a series of instructional thoughts on giving with my local church congregation just prior to the collection of the offering during Sunday worship service. As I sought the Lord for guidance concerning what to share for the upcoming Sunday, I was drawn to the spiritual symbolism embedded in our Valentine’s Day tradition. A clear and simple principle emerged. Love gives. In today’s episode, we begin to affirm the importance of what the gift reveals, even though God is actually interested in more than the gift itself. I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 2/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - The Gift & The Giver's Faith - Repost | There is a big difference between talking about faith and applying it. If God gave a college class in faith, it would be entitled "Applied Faith" rather than "Faith Theory". God wants faith working in every aspect of our relationship, even in our giving. As Hebrews 11: 6&7 remind us: without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. In today's podcast episode we continue to examine why I believe that even though God gives us scriptural instruction to give offertory gifts, He is actually interested in more than the gift itself. Receive Monday's Meditation as "food for thought" for the week, then let it become "fuel for action" for the weekend and beyond! | 2/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - God's Interest In More Than The Giver's Hand - Repost | God is spirit. He has no temporal needs. God is the creator, sustainer and owner of all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. His ownership has not diminished with time. His wealth is immeasurable. Yet, He still asks for our gifts. What could God possibly be seeking from us? In today's podcast episode we continue to examine why I believe that even though God gives us scriptural instruction to give offertory gifts, He is actually interested in more than the gift itself Receive Monday's Meditation as "food for thought" for the week, then let it become "fuel for action" for the weekend and beyond! | 2/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - God's Interest In Our Relationship With Others - Repost | It is interesting to note that God often assesses our giving by first assessing the condition of our human relationships. While we focus on our gift, He chooses to examine how we are treating one another. Even the earliest scriptural account of giving (the story of Cain & Abel) speaks not only to the issue of the acceptability of Cain’s offering but also to issues involving Cain’s relationship with God and Cain’s relationship with Abel. How revealing it is that in a story about giving, Cain asks the eternal question: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The fact is that while we may desire for our giving to be viewed and judged as an independent spiritual activity, God refuses to do so and He purposefully keeps Cain’s question ever before us even while we give. In today’s episode, we continue to examine why I believe that even though God gives us scriptural instructions to give offertory gifts, He is actually interested in more than the gift itself. Receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 2/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - The Giver and His Relationship With God - Repost | One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question, Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment (Matt. 22: 35-38). In this response to a question from the crowd, Jesus establishes that our highest pursuit is our love relationship with the Father. All other requirements flow from the pursuit of that relationship, even our giving. In today’s episode, we continue to examine why I believe that even though God gives us scriptural instructions to give offertory gifts, He is actually interested in more than the gift itself. Receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 1/31/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - God's Interest In The Giver's Willingness - Repost | Abraham had waited 25 years for the fulfillment of God’s promise and then (when Abraham was 100 years old) the fulfillment came. Sarah bore her only child, Abraham’s son, Abraham’s heir. Isaac was a source of great joy and hope for Abraham. Isaac was a symbol of God’s faithfulness and promises of blessing. So, I can’t imagine the thoughts Abraham had and emotions he felt when God requested that he offer Isaac’s life as a burnt offering. In spite of what he may have felt, Abraham’s response was amazing. Abraham exhibited no hesitancy. He did not question, barter or argue with God. He arose early the next morning and began his journey to the appointed place of sacrifice. Abraham exhibited great faith. On the third day, Abraham instructed his servants to stay with the donkeys while he and Isaac journeyed to the appointed place of worship. Before leaving them Abraham spoke words of faith, stating that both he and Isaac would return to them. The writer of Hebrews explains that Abraham was convinced that even if he sacrificed Isaac unto the Lord, God could raise Isaac from the dead. Abraham prepared to offer Isaac’s life not knowing that Isaac’s life was not the offering that God was really seeking. At the appointed time God provided Abraham with a substitute object of sacrifice, a ram in the bush. Why was a substitute acceptable? Why was a sacrifice of lesser value sufficient? It was acceptable because more than the tangible object of Abraham’s giving, the offering God was seeking was Abraham’s willingness to withhold nothing from Him. In raising the knife of sacrifice to offer his son, Abraham demonstrated to himself and us his unrestrained willingness to give his all to the Lord. No object of sacrifice was greater than the gift he had already given. Receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 1/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - God's Interest In The Giver - Repost | God had rejected his offering. Cain responded with anger and depression. What amazes me about God’s counsel to Cain is found in what God did not say. Have you ever noticed that God didn’t say anything specifically about Cain’s offering? Have you ever wondered why? In today’s episode we begin to examine why I believe that even though God gives us scriptural instructions to give offertory gifts, He is actually interested in much more than the gift itself. Receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought” for the week and then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 1/17/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Monday's Meditation - Introduction (Repost) | Monday’s Meditation is the podcast segment of the More Than The Gift ministry series. It offers its audience observations intended to help listeners reflect on God’s purposes and plans or our offertory giving in the context of our relationship with Him, other believers and the world. It is my prayer that such reflections will influence the motives, methods and magnitude of our giving. Receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought” for the week and then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond. | 1/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 17 Episodes |
