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Stewardship- ‘Way back in another life when we lived in FNEJ (Fabulous Northeast Jackson), we were robbed three times. Once it was a couple of bicycles, then it was the video equipment, and finally, it was 90% of my good jewelry. At least they didn’t get the fine plastic stuff from Eckerd’s Fine Jewelry counter or Stein Mart. I was infuriated, outraged, and felt totally violated. I wanted to hunt them down and string them up by their scrawny, scum-sucking necks! Praise our Almighty and loving Father that He does not do the same to us! I had planned to do this month’s article on talent, but after our stewardship meeting, I was reeling from the $340,000+ "shortfall" that this church is suffering. It would not surprise me in the least if a full 100% of this congregation would be absolutely horrified over the prospect of shoplifting even a stick of gum from the local Kroger’s, yet we are ignoring GOBS of scripture! Did you know that the Bible includes approximately 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 on faith, but more than 2,350 on how to handle money? In addition, Jesus spoke more about money than any other subject! Malachi 3 spells it out pretty plainly; "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me….in tithes and offerings." And God doesn’t stop there—"you are under a curse…because you are robbing Me." Oh, dear believers! We sit like sponges every Sunday and soak up incredible sermons on obedience by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and growth in spiritual maturity, yet something evidently happens between the sermon and the checkbook! It used to annoy me to hear 1st Pres referred to as a "wealthy" church; I thought it implied arrogance or power-brokering, and I was offended. Well, I just hope they don’t cut the power off at this wealthy church! The truly wonderful thing about bringing the tithes into the storehouse is that our gracious and generous Father GIVES IT ALL TO US IN THE FIRST PLACE! What a blessed honor to give some of it back! In fact, if you read on a little further in Malachi, extraordinary promises pop out – "Test Me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it!" (my exclamation point, not the Lord’s) A dear saint in this church routinely gives a minimum of 50% of his income to the Lord, and he will tell you in a heartbeat how God has blessed him, his family, and his work. Let’s look at it eyeball to eyeball—if the ever-faithful Omnipotent Majesty of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob said it, there is not a hair-breadth of doubt! Oh, blessed Lord my Rock and my Redeemer, open our eyes and hearts to faith and our pocketbooks to giving, for Your promises never fail and Your spiritual blessings fill us to overflowing!Years ago, as soon as I found out you could actually do it, I put every
imaginable bill on automatic draft because I HATED paying them. It wasn’t even
so much the amount as it was the deadlines (all different), the writing of the
checks, the scrounging around for envelopes, the maddening trips to the P.O. for
stamps (there was either a line from here to Christmas OR they decided to close
early), but do you know I cannot imagine paying my pledge or faith promise that
way? Why, I’m even offending MYSELF by mentioning the possibility! It is a
great privilege to make that check out and put it in the plate because it is a
precious, beautiful reminder of the Ultimate Gift and the copious blessings my
Heavenly Father and my Mighty Messiah have showered on me. And that same Father
Who commands me to give will satisfy my every need—never will I go hungry
(although I could use a bit of that) or want for clothing or shelter, for He has
PROMISED! All praise, glory and honor (and tithes!) to our Lord and Savior! Member, Stewardship Committee |
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