The Auction Results!

Okay guys, I am sorry for the slow update on the Nance Bay Buffalo Nickel Auction which ended on Monday. For those new to this topic you need to read the previous post. The numbers that I am going to report are only significant as they relate to the story of God’s work in the life UCF and the people who are moved by God to accomplish his work. I could write for a long time of the endless connections and stories that this idea has generated and the amazing things that God is doing through it. I will try to give you a glimpse.

First of all the numbers: The total auction raised right at $4,000 with the winning bid going to Amy Montgomery. She bid on this so that she could give this nickel to her son Zachary who is currently working with Teen Mania Ministries and is heading to Bible College soon. Zachary’s story of life change is truly amazing and I have been blessed to just be able to watch God work in someone’s life to this extent. When I emailed Zachary about the Auction he told me that he wept and that his heart is really full of compassion for those who are struggling with homelessness. I am excited that he will have a real life reminder of the faith that leads a homeless man to give all that he had to help someone share Jesus with people in Ethiopia.

The money will help to pay for some of the transition costs for Mike and Amy Rodgers who moved last month to their permanent location at Lake Langano, Ethiopia. We have a mission trip with 10 people heading there in 14 days so please pray for God’s activity to be realized and responded to in huge ways.

Now for another side story to the whole Nance Bay Buffalo Nickel. This story requires a text from the bible where Paul writes,

6 Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten." 10 For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God. 12 So two good things will happen – the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanksgiving to God. 13 You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you. 15 Thank God for his Son – a gift too wonderful for words! 2 Corinthians 9

God is definitely at work in our church producing a culture of generosity… it is becoming who we are and it comes so close to the heart of God that it is exciting to see. Some of you have read the above verses with a little skepticism because it tends to indicate that to the person who gives cheerfully, God will in turn “generously provide all you need.” In a sense it kind of indicates that if we give cheerfully we will receive from God generously. Now many misguided TV evangelists have selfishly and wickedly used these verses to pad their pockets, but that should not distract us from the truth of the bible. You might wonder where I am going with this. Well here is the deal... one of the bids for Nance’s Nickel was written for $500, enclosed also was a separate check for $1,000 to help out with anything that we feel Nance might need. The end result is this, a homeless man in obedient to God and give all he has to God’s Kingdom work, this is used to raise $4,000 for UCF’s missionaries and another $1,000 to help the same homeless man who gave the original nickel. Pretty good return… I think the bible calls that a “generous crop.” Now I wonder what would happen if we all began to act in faith and give to the things of God. Generosity is contagious and the joy that comes with it is a rush.

Note: The $1,000 that was given for Nance will be given to those at UCF who have a relationship with him and are able to give to him as they see the needs arise. I am excited to see what God does through the money and the relationships it will deepen.

Love loud… risk often.
David