When I was pastoring in Willits (NORCAL) a massive tree went down on a vacant lot near our church property. High winds and a deluge of rain were more than this stately old Black Walnut could handle. Depending solely on wood-burning heat for our mountain home, I immediately thought to myself, “Wow, look at all that firewood! I’ll find out who owns the lot and see if I can go in and cut it up.”
I got a phone number, told the guy who I was, and he was open to the idea, thinking it was for the church. He, therefore, asked about getting a contribution statement. I said, “The tree is for me, not for the church.”
Now I knew the IRS would probably never ask questions. I could have made out a receipt and in return would have about three cords of free, hot-burning firewood!
No way! This was the perfect opportunity to be a witness for Christ; to create a good reputation in the eyes of this man. So I simply said,
“Because the tree is for my personal use I ca n’ t do that. That would be dishonest.”
I also ensured him I didn’t think he was encouraging me to be.
That was a simple thing to do; something a believer should not have to even think twice about. The result was to initially establish a reputation with this man — a reputation of honesty and integrity. It also communicated something about the kind of church we were.
Concerned about having a positive impact for Jesus? The greatest thing we could ever hope to do is to simply be real, sincere followers of Christ. God will take care of the rest.