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Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 763-3021
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Pastor Scott Carson
Grace Church of Burlington
March 16, 2003
"Some choices shouldn’t have to be made . . ."
Due to financial strain and a critical giving shortfall Moody Bible Institute recently announced that they will be discontinue publishing Moody Magazine after more than a century and close their Tennessee Missionary Aviation School. Recently, Dr. Joe Stowell, the president of Moody sent out a letter to supporters, sharing that this past year was the worst fiscal year that their ministry has had since he became president in 1987. Though Moody has more givers than ever before, the gifts are smaller. Our national economic downturn is having a major affect on ministries and churches across the country. Moody is one of many ministries that is having to make some very difficult decisions.
Though we’re in the midst of an economic slowdown, the greatest losses have been in retirement funds and on the stock market. It has not affected most people’s work related income and there has not been a major jump in unemployment. There certainly have not been any serious lifestyle changes. Recently, when Jane and I were out for dinner and as I observed the packed parking lot, I jokingly commented that our economic downturn was really hurting folk and keeping them from going out to eat. Incidentally, we were at Red Lobster, not McDonald’s.
While we are supposedly in the midst of a terrible economy, people are still lining up at theaters, filling up restaurants, buying new cars, furniture, computers, entertainment centers, etc. The only area that seems to take a big hit in a sluggish economy is our giving.
Sadly, that speaks volumes about our concept of worship and Lordship. It means that we primarily give when we have surpluses and excesses. Such thinking is completely foreign to Biblical stewardship. Proverbs 3:9 states, "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops..." The principle is that worship and giving is to be our first priority, not our last option. God wants us to give in faith, trusting Him to supply our needs and bless us when we are faithful. There is no faith, though, when we give out of our surplus. In reality that is a lack of faith. When we either skimp in our giving or neglect it, God’s Kingdom suffers. We also are disobedient in that we are not faithful stewards. And it costs us . . . we miss out on His blessings, "then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine" (Proverbs 3:10).
Thus far at Grace, we have not had to make any major cuts, but we are limping along. We need to get serious about stepping out on faith and purchasing land for future building needs. Currently, though, we are seeking to just maintain.
Friend, does your giving indicate that you are living by faith? Does it demonstrate a heart of worship and that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life...including your finances? If it doesn’t, it should. Please let Him be Lord of all – even your checkbook!