Almighty Father can guide us in handling the almighty dollar
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
This is the time of year when many churches in Bella Vista are involved in raising money for their annual budgets.
Some folks always get a little testy when it comes to money. I have never understood why every organization in the community can ask for money and it's okay, but if a church asks for money, it is the unpardonable sin.
Jesus talked a lot about money. Some New Testament scholars say he talked more about money than heaven or hell and prayer and faith combined. More than 40 percent of the 38 parables he gives us deal in some way with the issue of stewardship. That means almost every other time Jesus told a story, it was about giving.
How would you like it if every other time you came to worship, the sermon was on money ? Guess what - that's the way it was with Jesus.
Why so much concern over money with our Lord ? He never had any money for himself.
He knows there is nothing that can bless your life more than money, and nothing can put you into deep trouble quicker than the misuse of money.
Jesus talked about giving a lot, because he loves us and wants to help us. He is trying to protect us from the insidious disease of
When Christ talked about giving, he did it for our good. Would the God who created you, died for you and promises to return for you, ask you to do something that will make you miserable ? No way ! He knows giving will open our hearts to be filled with joy and love. Giving will not bind us, but bless us. Giving sets you free to enjoy life.
Christ talked about giving as a way to honor God and protect your heart. Our hearts will follow our treasure. That's why God wants us to give so we can be spared from selfishness and greed. When we give to God's work, we can store up treasure in heaven.
No credit crisis can harm our giving to God's church. Christ gave his life for the church and expects us to give cheerfully, as he did, so the ministries of your church can go on.
God expects our giving to his church to be significant. Remember, it costs your church to operate, just like any other business.
Once, a lady called the Butterball Turkey hotline. She asked if a turkey that had been in her freezer for several years would be safe to eat. The customer-service representative assured her the turkey was fine. The woman thought for a moment, then said," Just to be safe, I think I will give it to my church. " Do you think God would accept such a cheap gift ? In the Old Testament, when King David was purchasing property to build the temple, the property was offered to him for free. His response was," I will not offer to the Lord my God that which cost me nothing. "When we give like David did, to honor God and his work, we find the joy of giving and living. Sign up today to help your congregation, and you will be the winner. I'm pressing on. What about you ?
• • • Thad Moore is pastor of Bella Vista Community Church.
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