The countdown the Launch Finale Celebration is drawing near, anticipation is building, and we are PUMPED for this coming weekend at Keystone Church.  This weekend, we will conclude our Launch journey with a big celebration, and I want you to know that we are praying for you as you prepare to finish strong and bring your best gift.

I love it when we journey together as a spiritual family to do the impossible.  And with everyone going ALL IN, the impossible inches closer to becoming reality.  As we each tap into the sacrificial pocket of giving, we are setting the stage for God to do amazing things in and through our church.

Check out this brief synopsis of the 3 pockets of giving that we see modeled throughout the pages of the bible…

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT GIVING?

In the early days of Keystone Church, I was most tense and uptight when I taught giving. I was petrified that our unchurched friends would brand me a ‘money-grubbin preacher’ and never give Jesus a chance. Yet, the more I dove into what God taught on money the bolder I became.

Now, I love talking about obeying God with our money.

As I have studied Scripture, I am struck by 3 types of giving:

The FIRST… and the 10

POCKET #1: FAITHFUL GIVING:
Often known as the tithe, this type of giving is RETURNING to God a FIRST PORTION of our income. The Old Testament refers to the 10%… In the New Testament, Jesus is quick to affirm the tithe, not as a means to get to God but as a good obedience en route to weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23-24). For more examples, check out Genesis 14:17-20; 28:20-22; Deuteronomy 26; Leviticus 27:30-33; 1 Corinthians 16. For a stern warning against violating this simple teaching, see Malachi 3:8-10.

The FIRST… and THEN

POCKET #2: GENEROUS GIVING:
Generosity is a thread woven throughout the Bible. We must manage our money in such a way that we are able to be generous at all times. The direct application back then was mainly directed to slaves, foreigners, widows and orphans. In our case, we must always have room to help a family member in need, a single mom, a friend who has lost their job, etc. This also includes spontaneous offerings for children in need or other great opportunities. Some samples of generosity: Deuteronomy 15:13ff; 24:19; James 1:27.

The FIRST… and the WIN

POCKET #3: SACRIFICIAL GIVING
At Keystone, we believe with all our hearts that it is God’s design for every believer to either be preparing for, participating in, or recovering from a sacrificial gift. It is in our spiritual DNA to give until it hurts. These are the types of gifts you can’t just budget… once you give it, you have to financially recover from it! For example, in the New Testament you see Barnabas sell a portion of his land as a sacrificial gift… that’s a gift you can’t replenish! That is a true sacrifice. God does not desire his children to WHINE about financial projects… if your church is constantly raising big sums of money, it means there’s a big vision driving it! That’s a GREAT CHURCH. We’re LAUNCHING a 2-year journey of sacrificial giving next weekend and WE’RE PUMPED! See Mark 10:21; Luke 19; Acts 2:42-46; 4:32; 11:29-30; Romans 15:26-27; 1 Chronicles 29:3.

It is crucial to be healthy in all three areas of giving… it’s how you’re designed! It moves you closer & closer to your God-given potential! Those Keystoners I know who give out of all three pockets are VERY, VERY happy people… they have sacrificed boats, ranch houses, new cars, and high-def plasmas to see God’s mission spread… that’s living on THE EDGE!!!

2 years ago we began a spiritual journey at Keystone Church.  We named it LAUNCH.

I love it when we journey together as a spiritual family to do the impossible.  I remember well the stress and uncertainty two years ago as we saw our campus limitations.  It was easy to imagine turning people away.

Usually, a journey like this will include a very specific vision: build a building, buy some land, or start an additional location. We didn’t have a clear direction in any of these options.

Instead, God wanted us to strengthen our faith by funding the VISION itself!  Our vision is to lead everyone to experience a passionate life in Christ.

I preached through every element of that vision and we all committed to bring over $1 million over and above our normal giving.

In just 2 weeks, we will complete this journey of faith.  We are almost 80% there!

More importantly, it’s been SO ENCOURAGING to SCOREBOARD the results:

November 5/6 we will finish this awesome journey. How we finish LAUNCH will impact how we begin the next great Keystone chapter.

Don’t miss it!  It’s going to be A-MAZING!

I’m sitting here sippin’ on a cup o’ decaf.

DUNKIN’ DONUTS DECAF.

I’ve had a re-discovery of this delightful place.  DUNKIN’ DONUTS ROCKS!

When I was a kid, every Saturday was DUNKIN’ DONUTS day.  My favorite: Blueberry.  My close second favorite: Double Chocolate donut.  Sooooo good.

Through the years, I’ve dabbled with the CRISPY, CREAMY varieties.  I was on that bandwagon.  I confess it!

When in Boston, Susan and I rediscovered DUNKIN’ DONUTS.  Same donuts – same great taste.  I also stumbled on their COFFEE.  Incredible.

So, I’m back.  I’m in.

What’s my point?

It’s all about the CONTENT.

Bandwagons come and go… It’s all about THE PRODUCT.

If you’re a preacher like me: Keep your heart in the product!  The same good news that’s been preached for over 2,000 years is still relevant today.

Music styles can and should change.

Fashion styles will ebb and flow.

Leadership styles will rise and fall.

Keep your head in the game – It’s ALL about the good news of Jesus Christ!

It’s football season, and we are already INSPIRED by the many comebacks.  Fourth quarter comebacks are SO MUCH FUN to watch.

Yet, in the midst of the high-fives and chest-bumping, we sometimes forget that the team came back… from FAILURE.

TRUTH: You will fail.

Failure is a reality in life.  Sometimes we evaluate someone’s success based on their ability to AVOID failure.  I believe that anyone who achieves their God-given potential will be marked with the scars of failure.  You either FAIL as you attempt the impossible or you FAIL by refusing to boldly follow God into his will for your life.

Either way, you will fail!

So… Plan your COMEBACK… NOW!

Who are the voices in your life? Are your closest friends those who rotate to your because of success or position?  Do you have a small group of ‘mighty men / mighty friends’ who will walk WITH YOU through the tough times?

What is your definition of success? If your success is anything less than a clear, biblical mission by God then you are uber-vulnerable.  Money, status and comfort are great blessings but horrible indicators of success.

Are you singular-minded? Do you have your eye on God’s mission for your life to the extent that it will endure hardship?

Considering these issues will help you plan your eventual comeback!

There are 4 seasons that RAMP UP the stress for church staffs across America:

• Fall/Back to School
• Spring/Back to School
• Easter
• Christmas

Consequently, these are the SEASONS OF HARVEST.

MORE STRESS… MORE SUCCESS.

When you find yourself in a SEASON of STRESS, remember, it is likely an opportunity for a SEASON of SUCCESS.

Nothing is EASY.

Nothing GREAT is handed to you.

Don’t WISH for the easiest path.

God may intentionally walk you into a path of STRESS in order to answer your prayer for SUCCESS.

Don’t DUCK IT.

Don’t RUN from it.

Dive deeper into the person of Christ and allow him to create in you the heart, character, and appetites he desires.

I’m going to share with you what I always tell my staff.  This is one of the most foundational truths in my working, adult life.

MORE STRESS… MORE SPIRIT.

There are seasons in your life where the STRESS MOUNTS.

Some examples:

• Working double time to make a sale or close a deal
• Increased amount of traveling
• Taking on more work due to changes in personnel
• Pain, illness, or loss (economic, relational, or social)

When the pressure mounts… What is your reaction?

Will you STRESS OUT?

• React with anger or impatience
• Shut off emotionally
• Seek other outlets to ‘escape’ the stress
• Fantasize about being anywhere else, new job or marriage

I URGE YOU… Now is the time to SPIRIT-UP!

I remember the stress during one of our early financial hurdles at Keystone.  Spontaneous heat would generate along my spine every time I considered the possibility of failure.  It made me sick.

This conclusion gripped me: I need to dive DEEPER into the presence and the person of Christ.  The deeper the fear, the deeper I needed to dive into Christ.

Once, when I was laying on my bed praying diligently for Keystone, my meditation was interrupted by a phone call.  AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME, an admired pastor called me to encourage me.  It gave me an incredible lift.

Today, I look back at that moment as DIVINE.

So, if you are STRESSED OUT… What you really need is THE SPIRIT.  Let God comfort you and bring you to a good place.