There’s Always
a Sign-up Sheet in Fellowship Hall
1Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping
offerings in the collection plate. 2Then he saw a poor widow put in
two pennies. 3He said, "The plain truth is that this widow has
given by far the largest offering today. 4All these others made
offerings that they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't
afford--she gave her all!" Luke 21:1-4 (The Message)
How many of us would give up a family member to save someone who was guilty of a crime? You might be willing to pay a ransom- after all money is replaceable but a life is not.
God gives us both, He gives us our lives and all we have in it, and he gave his only son for the redemption of the crimes (sins) we have committed.
Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to God, but He gives them to us and gives us free-will to decide on how to be stewards of His gifts.
How do you spend what you have been given? Are you so concerned with earthly wealth that you are afraid to part with it? The church asks for you to follow the bible’s teaching and tithe (give ten percent of your earnings) not because it is greedy and needs to have possessions, but because it is how we, as the church, go about spreading the gospel and tending to God's less fortunate.
If everything we have - time, talents, and possessions - are gifts from God, why is it so hard to part with them?
Dear Lord- thank you
for the gifts that you give us, our time, talent and possessions and your son,
Jesus- sure signs of your gracious love and mercy. Give us the strength to make the wise choices
that will benefit all of your creation.
Amen
Denise Clayton