November to me means a time of year when my favorite sport begins....college basketball.   I love the fast-paced, acrobatic athletic movements, and the strategies of  a closely contested game of b-ball!   November also means I have the luxury of viewing my second favorite sport - - professional football.    After a wonderful and jam-packed Sunday morning of leading worship, mingling with God's people, and preaching 3 sermons at 3 worship services I am ready to go crash in my lazy boy and watch some football (of course a little food is in order prior to crashing!).

As a Christian, and as a Christian pastor, November has also traditionally signaled the soon to arrive financial stewardship Commitment/Pledge Sunday at local churches.    I am grateful that our congregation talks about Christian Stewardship throughout the year (prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness - - on a regular, round-the-calendar basis), but we still have our COMMITMENT SUNDAY when we offer to God our financial support for the next year's MINISTRY INVESTMENT PLAN (Budget), to further our dedication to making followers of Jesus Christ.

I have so much to learn about Christian financial stewardship.    There is so much further I have to go.    But, I was blessed to learn about financial stewardship from my parents.    Not so much that they talked it...but they modeled it.    I saw their commitment to the church we attended.  I witnessed their regular support of the missions and ministries.   I viewed their generosity to the church...with their time, presence, spiritual gifts and financial contributions.    My parents' attitude was not "We have to do this giving."  Rather, it was "We get to do this."     Scripture tells us, "God loves a cheerful giver."    That does not mean giving, financially for instance, is easy   It does not mean it will not be a sacrifice...sometimes it will require this.    But, it does mean, that when Christian financial stewardship is Christian....it will happen out of a love response to God.....our of falling in love with Jesus...more exciting and meaningful than either professional football or college basketball!  Authentic Christian financial stewardship gives to God cheerfully, consistently, regularly, and out of first priority.    That is, the one who is in love with God, does not give God left -overs, but instead first fruits.   This is one important way of keeping, and signaling, that God has first place in your life and living.    Then, this giving is not a haphazard, random giving ("O, well, I'll just throw a $20 dollar bill in the offering today...that's all I've got."); Instead, it is intentional, planned and prioritized . . done out of a response to God's incredible love for, and gift to, us ultimately in Jesus Christ his only Son!    I am amazed how we will, without thinking, give 15 - 20% to a person who serves us a meal; yet, will not give 10% to the One who has given us everything, including our very life.

I pray that this year, and every year, we will enjoy the wonderful opportunities and activities life has to offer (possibly college basketball and professional football)....and the great and joyful privilege of practicing the spiritual discipline of generous financial giving to Christ's church.