Texas Baptists Committed is dedicated to reaching people for Christ through local churches; promoting and defending historic Baptist principles; spreading an understanding of Baptist heritage and distinctives through education; and cooperating with the mission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and its related institutions.

GIVING: THE GIFT THAT BLESSES THE GIVER

(Originally published on December 11, 2008)

A Day That Will Go Down in Currie History
I begin with a personal note: As I sit down to begin writing this column, it is Tuesday, December 9, 2008, a day that will go down in my personal history book – for, this very afternoon, I killed my first buck deer with a bow and arrow!!!!! From now on, you may refer to me as Crazy Horse (my favorite Native American historical figure).

Where Are Our Priorities?
Last week, I read about a corporate executive who spent $3 million to give himself a lavish 60th birthday party and later said he was sorry he did it. Sorry? Isn’t it a little late for “sorry”? What made him think it was right in the first place?

Such self-indulgence is beyond my comprehension. How could any human being be so self-centered to believe that spending $3 million on his birthday celebration is appropriate – under ANY circumstances?

I couldn’t help but imagine how such money could be used to build up others rather than merely to gratify one’s own selfish appetites. Just imagine, for instance, how many churches the BGCT could start with $3 million; how many of our young people could benefit from $3 million given to Howard Payne University (my alma mater, on whose board I serve); or how many of our world’s malnourished a $3 million gift could begin to feed if given to the BGCT Christian Life Commission’s World Hunger Offering.

But this man apparently thought it was ethical and proper to spend $3 million on his birthday party! Or else he just didn’t care.

Christians' Priorities Should Be Different
I thought of John Baugh, founder of Sysco Corporation, who gave $10 million to help start Truett Seminary at Baylor. I cannot imagine Mr. Baugh celebrating his birthday in a self-indulgent manner, because Mr. Baugh’s priorities were different than that.

Sysco is worth over $15 billion today, but Mr. Baugh founded it out of the trunk of his car. In Houston, at his corporate office, he never had an assigned parking space. In fact, no one at Sysco had an assigned parking space. All employees – from John Baugh on down – found parking on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mr. Baugh never flew first-class unless he paid the difference out of his own pocket; none of the other Sysco employees did, either. Compare that to the Big Three automakers whose executives first flew to Washington on their private jets to ask for our tax money to help them survive their stupid decisions that have put their companies – and the well-being of millions – at risk.

John Baugh’s faith was not in his money; it was in Jesus. Faith in Jesus means – or should mean – that you think differently and act differently, not just on the hot-button issues on which many preachers today spend so much time preaching, but also regarding one’s personal financial behavior. John Baugh knew the Bible, and he knew that Jesus was constantly challenging people to use what they have to help those in need.

Faith in Jesus means that you think about your money in terms of what you can give – not in terms of how much of it you can keep for yourself. John Baugh lived this principle beautifully and faithfully.

Giving - Regardless of Your Circumstances
It’s not easy for most of us right now. This economic downturn is causing us to tighten our belts. Some of us find ourselves uncomfortably in debt. I’m no different than the rest of you – I have let my “love of dirt,” as my wife calls it, cause me to go into debt buying ranchland. This economic downturn has left me feeling a little unsettled.

But then I thought of what brought real joy to Mr. Baugh’s life – giving. You know, I really believe, that if you stop giving, you stop living. To a Christian, giving should be like breathing – a necessary part of life, a life-giving force.

So I will tithe this Sunday as usual. I’ll give to CBF Global Missions (better than any cause I know of); make a year-end contribution to TBC, because I love what God has called me to do and I believe in the importance of what we’re doing here; and make year-end contributions to several other causes that are important to me, because to stop that would be to stop being who I am – regardless of any financial difficulties. I will also give to the mutual fund account of each of my seven stepgrandchildren – accounts that I set up several years ago – as I do every Christmas, in hopes that they will start saving earlier than I did.

I am grateful that John Baugh set an example of giving for me and others.

Now let me ask something of you. If you enjoy receiving these Rumblings but have not yet given to TBC this year, please do so. Our financial situation is always very tight, and we have had far fewer contributions this year than in years past. So please give to support the work of Texas Baptists Committed. As was said in the 19th-century fight against slavery, “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” So it is with the fight for Baptist freedom today. Threats to that freedom are all around us. Texas Baptists Committed is your vigilant watchdog. Please be a part of us by contributing today.

If you have already given this year, I thank you and ask you to please consider adding an extra year-end contribution to what you have already given.

And remember – giving is the best gift you can receive. Don’t take my word for it. In Acts 20:35, Jesus is quoted as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This Christmas, celebrate God’s greatest gift to you – Jesus – by following His example and giving to others.

John Bayless
This past Sunday, I preached at Fairlanes Baptist Church, Borger, Texas. After the service, John and Mary Lee Bayless – long-time TBC supporters – took Loretta and me to lunch, along with two other delightful couples. Mrs. Bayless gave us a CD recording containing music performed by their son, John Bayless. The album is titled Christmas Rhapsody.

Loretta and I listened to it twice on the way home. Believe me, it is beautiful piano music that moved us to tears. When we got home, I did an Internet search for “John Bayless, piano.” I discovered that John Bayless is considered one of the leading pianists in this country. I urge you to buy this CD and let your heart be moved. I do not begin to understand this kind of talent, but I pray to be able to appreciate it. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas – from your friend, Crazy Horse.