I recently attended the Evangelical Press Association’s yearly conference. I hadn’t been in a few years. It reminded me that my very first EPA conference inspired me to begin writing. Until that point, I’d only written for my job; never for pleasure. But a class taught by Mark Galli (editor of Christianity Today) inspired me to begin writing for fun. Lo and behold, about 6 years later, my just-for-fun writing led me to a book deal. So, thanks Mark! And thanks EPA! This is the first piece I wrote after that EPA conference. In fact, I wrote it on the plane ride home. It’s funny to see how my writing has evolved since this first article. Enjoy.

I hate it when God decides to use me at an inconvenient and inopportune moment. Doesn’t He know that sometimes I’m not in the mood to be a servant? Apparently not. Someone once said, “God offers the greatest opportunities at the most inconvenient moments.” That’s way too stinkin’ true.

This week I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Colorado. I was excited. Not only was it my first editorial conference, but it was also my first trip to Colorado Springs.

I showed up to the airport right on time, bags in hand, but the airport staff did not mirror my enthusiasm. Several flights had been cancelled through the morning and things were obviously hectic. My day was not going to be pleasant. I couldn’t fly into Colorado Springs until the next morning, but they were able to reroute me through Denver late that night, where I could then take a cab over to Colorado Springs (a 2 hour drive). I would miss the entire opening session of my conference, but at least I would arrive the same day.

Once finally getting through security (who checked me so thoroughly they had me questioning whether or not I was actually associated with Al Qaeda) I made my flight and was off. I caught a connecting flight and, after 10 exhausting hours, landed in Denver and began looking for a cab.

I walked to the first few and they were all spoken for, then one gentleman popped his head through a window and, in a thick accent, asked if I needed a ride. I informed him of my destination two hours away, and he gladly accepted. Ah, the end was finally in sight, and I was looking forward to resting in the backseat for the next two hours.

My driver, Abdu (whose actual name was 11 letters long and completely incomprehensible) was from the Middle East. I noticed some Arabic writing hanging from his mirror, so I inquired. It was a quote from the Koran. He was a devout Muslim. He quickly found out that I was a Christian, and I quickly found out that, during this final leg of my trip, rest would not be an option.

Right before picking me up, Abdu had been reading (apparently while driving) an Arabic article comparing Jesus and Mohammed. He knew little of Christianity, but was curious. For two hours we exchanged information and I had the divine opportunity to explain Jesus to him. The whole idea of God giving His life for us was totally foreign to Abdu. I reluctantly thanked the Lord for allowing me to share, even though I hadn’t felt like sharing.

Abdu wasn’t converted to Christianity, but a seed was undoubtedly planted in his life. I wasn’t in any sort of mood to be open to the Spirit that evening, but God didn’t seem to care. He decided to use me anyway, despite my deep objections. I wish God would have simply let me sit in the back seat of that taxi sulking in the sorrow of my long and aggravating day, but apparently He wasn’t concerned with my momentary inconvenience.

He had bigger concerns.

I’ve heard an awful lot over the past few years about tithing, or the lack thereof. There has been a push by many to say that Jesus never taught tithing, and even that the New Testament as a whole does not teach one to tithe as we see throughout the Old Testament. It’s not a new argument, it’s been around for years, but the no-tithe bandwagon has certainly become a popular one as of late. And of course it has. Who wouldn’t want to believe we aren’t required to give God 10% of everything? Especially in our me-first, money-first society.

While I can see why some might argue for this, it negates to show the whole truth. If you really study the giving shown in the New Testament, tithing isn’t the issue at hand. And I might agree with the basic idea: tithing was not necessarily being taught. But that’s because it didn’t have to be taught. People weren’t tithing; people were giving FAR MORE than just a tithe, or 10%. Consider these passages:

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” –Acts 2:44, 45

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales  and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”  –Acts 4:32-35

 And, of course, who can forget the widow’s two mites in Mark 12:

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

I FIRMLY believe that 10% is a bottom-of-the-barrel-baseline for giving. It’s the least we can give. It seems pretty obvious to me that even IF someone could claim that tithing isn’t a NT principle, one cannot deny that giving, specifically money (b/c some claim time and energy is a gift that can negate the giving of money) is undoubtedly taught. And if you want to claim that the giving of 10% is not a NT principle, than you’d better be following what IS the NT principle of giving…

GIVE.

IT.

ALL.

If you’re not giving AT LEAST 10%, I would ask, “Why not?” And then, I’d DARE you to give it a try. But if you’re going to claim that tithing isn’t a NT principle, you’d better be giving an awful lot more than 10%.

Perhaps there’s a reason money was Jesus’ second favorite topic. It’s almost like he was an ancient sort of Dave Ramsey, even. I think I’ve even seen the phrase “too much month left at the end of the money” written in red a time or two.

Last week my kids put their first tithe envelopes into the offering plate. It was a proud day for my wife and me. They’d all gained a whole $3.00 for chores during the week. Each one placed their 30 cents into the envelope and filled out their names. We’re not teaching that God requires them to give 10% of their money, but rather, we are teaching them the privilege of keeping 90% of God’s money. Some people call this stewardship. I like to simply call it faith—faith to believe that God’s Word is true; faith to believe that God is bigger than our bills and bank accounts.

It’s a faith that doesn’t always come easy. Just ask the rich young ruler:

 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”…“You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.—Luke 18:18-25

I recall an old hymn that said “Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right.” But that’s apparently not quite true. Just a little OBEDIENCE is what actually makes things right. Otherwise, we just leave sad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DISCIPLESHIP INK!

Just a few days ago Discipleship Ink turned one! After blogging for a year I must say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. And as I do with every birthday (that’s a lie), I now pause to reflect on what I’ve learned over the past year.  (Actually, most birthdays I just eat cake, watch TV, and check my bald spot in the mirror. True reflection is rare.) So without further ado, let the reflecting (of more than just my bald spot) begin. Read the rest of this entry →

In the process of finding a publisher for my book, I’ve learned a lot about the current state of the business. I’m still a rookie in the whole scheme of things, but here’s a few things I’ve learned in my short stint in trying to get published. More specifically, here’s what NOT to do when trying to get published.

5) Avoid Facebook, Twitter, and all blogging sites like the plague. Believe social media is just a passing fad and that it could never help you sell your book.

Read the rest of this entry →

I’ve recently been signed as an author with Passio, an imprint from Charisma House publishers. My book will be released October 1st. I’ve submitted the manuscript and we’re now in the editing process. They sent me a preview of the cover, and endorsements continue to roll in! You can already pre-order it on here on Amazon as well as several other major book retailers, including Barnes & Noble.

Publisher:

Passio

(Charisma House)

Release date:

Oct. 1, 2013

BOOK SUMMARY:

Do you ever really think about God and your faith?

Darren Schalk was raised in a pastor’s home. He heard all the teaching, all the Sunday morning Bible stories, and could recite more verses than he cared to count. But, as he grew, he actually started to think about what he’d been taught, and it raised a few questions. Read the rest of this entry →