Heart to Heart
Do you ever get weary of all the “asks” for financial support?
My inbox is regularly filled with special requests from people and ministries, asking me to generously support their cause. In most cases, they truly are worth the investment. However sometimes they aren’t or they don’t speak to the things my heart is most passionate about. Besides, the opportunities far outnumber the limited resources entrusted to me.
So how do you decide what to give to, and how you will steward well the financial resources God has placed in your hands? He provides enough to care for our families and those around us. We are responsible to be trustworthy in how we invest, keeping in mind the things that matter most to God. That’s the framework from which we make financial decisions. Good stewardship weighs out the eternal return on investment and then makes the call.
Diana and I made a determination early in our marriage, to make giving to the LORD the first item in our monthly budget. We wanted to model a Kingdom first priority to our family and keep reminding ourselves that this helps us live life “on mission for God.”
From those funds, we give first to the local church where we serve. Malachi 3 warns us not to withhold from the LORD, what belongs to Him. In fact, the prophet tells us that we can test God in our giving. No where else in Scripture is testing God mentioned as a good thing. But Malachi insists that if we will give to Him what is rightfully His, the LORD’s blessings will be unlocked and He will do so much more than we can ask or imagine on our behalf. Diana and I have lived out this principle for almost 44 years now and can testify to the truth of God’s Word.
The Bible speaks of giving both “tithes and offerings.” In other words, there is regular generous support of the local ministry, and then there are extra gifts that we give as an expression of worship. It’s been our joy to support many IWs over the years, beyond our GCF giving. Jesus was so right when He said, “it’s better to give, than to receive.” We rejoice and celebrate every month, as we hear stories from those for whom we’ve given and prayed over.
This month, God is inviting you and I to be generous and keep investing in what matters most to Him... PEOPLE. Those who are far from Him and need someone to tell them about Jesus in both words and deeds. And those who are called by Him to go and take the message to those who have yet to hear. Taking faith-filled risks as we pray & invest in ministries that touch our neighbors right here in Billings, and those who live in the far reaches of our world. Won’t you join us this month, as we increase our FAC financial giving team that is helping us complete the Great Commission.
He who was rich beyond measure, became poor so that we who are morally & spiritually bankrupt might be made rich with His saving grace & the gift of eternal life. Let’s spread the wealth so that our neighbors, near and far, might come to know Jesus as their Savior.
Pastor Adriaan & Diana ><>