…about your mail. I was standing with a friend who had just picked up her mail – several envelopes. “These days, it’s mostly requests.” I glanced down–sure enough, the top letter was from ‘Save the Children’. Others had letters from World Vision, Leprosy Mission, and Blind Mission. All good organizations; But the volume of requests can be daunting, can’t it?
So how do we choose? Years ago and miles from here, one of my elderly friends was planning her will. She had cousins, but no other immediate family, and she was in a quandary. She asked –“Orville, who should I leave my estate to?” We thought together. “Why not support the things you have been involved in, and supported all your life? The university you went to; the local hospital; a scholarship fund; the church.” That’s what she decided.
So should you. You can’t give to everything, but you ought to give to the programs and organizations that touch you, and help others.
Frankly, I like being asked. A HUGE part of being a disciple of Jesus, is using my resources to help mend the world. If you’re following Jesus, expect Him to send a lot of His team toward you to ask for help. Get used to it. It’s not a bad thing. It’s an opportunity you and I are being given. We should be ready to say YES repeatedly.
Every week we ought to channel resources toward God’s work. And every year each of us ought to re-calibrate our offerings to fit income, and needs. Christ followers develop lifestyles to spend carefully, so that they can give generously.
Apparently in the past, this church had frequent ‘Stewardship Campaigns’ which included a ‘visit’ to every household. We haven’t done that in the 14 years that I’ve been here. We have had one Capital Campaign (for the building) in the last 45 years, and the effective impact is being seen with each passing week.
This week a letter is going to all our households. Please don’t wince, or complain. Read it and dream. It is an opportunity. And it is the living Christ asking you to stay current and valid in your support of faith, compassion, and worship from this place. See you in Church…
With love, ORVILLE
P.S. Mark your calendar for the Congregational Meeting – Thursday, March 25th. FUN. Inspiration. A financial update. Q&A, and more. . .
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