I read the following devotion recently and wanted to share it with you…not because Beulah will soon begin building a new parsonage, but because I think God expects this from us all the time.
In a particular church they experienced such growth it demanded they enlarge their facilities. It represented quite a step of faith. After much planning, praying, and working together, they decided on a new church building. It would be adequate for their expanded ministry. It was an exciting moment as together they began raising funds for this multi-million dollar project. The pastor and board made their projections, along with an appeal to the congregation to share in this need b sacrificial giving. Everyone was challenged to be part of this expansion project. After the service was over a lady came to the pastor personally and handed him a check for $50, asking at the same time if her gift was satisfactory. The pastor immediately responded, “If it represents you.” There was a moment or two of soul-searching and she asked to have the check returned. She left with it. A day or two later she returned to make an appointment to see the pastor. This time she handed the pastor a check for $5000 and again asked the same question, “Is my gift satisfactory?” Again the pastor replied, “If it represents you” As before, the truth seemed to be sinking deep into her mind and after a moment or two she asked for the check. Now the pastor was beginning to get a bit worried. Perhaps he had been too bold and had offended her. He also wondered if she would ever return. About two weeks later there was a phone call at the church office asking for another appointment with the pastor. It was the same woman. As before, she came in with a check in hand and a big smile on her face. This time the check was for $50,000. As she placed it in the pastor’s hand she said, “After earnest, prayerful thought, I have come to the conclusion that this gift does represent me, and I am happy to give it to the church for our building project.
In a particular church they experienced such growth it demanded they enlarge their facilities. It represented quite a step of faith. After much planning, praying, and working together, they decided on a new church building. It would be adequate for their expanded ministry. It was an exciting moment as together they began raising funds for this multi-million dollar project. The pastor and board made their projections, along with an appeal to the congregation to share in this need b sacrificial giving. Everyone was challenged to be part of this expansion project. After the service was over a lady came to the pastor personally and handed him a check for $50, asking at the same time if her gift was satisfactory. The pastor immediately responded, “If it represents you.” There was a moment or two of soul-searching and she asked to have the check returned. She left with it. A day or two later she returned to make an appointment to see the pastor. This time she handed the pastor a check for $5000 and again asked the same question, “Is my gift satisfactory?” Again the pastor replied, “If it represents you” As before, the truth seemed to be sinking deep into her mind and after a moment or two she asked for the check. Now the pastor was beginning to get a bit worried. Perhaps he had been too bold and had offended her. He also wondered if she would ever return. About two weeks later there was a phone call at the church office asking for another appointment with the pastor. It was the same woman. As before, she came in with a check in hand and a big smile on her face. This time the check was for $50,000. As she placed it in the pastor’s hand she said, “After earnest, prayerful thought, I have come to the conclusion that this gift does represent me, and I am happy to give it to the church for our building project.
Money and giving are touchy subjects to many people. Why? Giving and living are two things that go hand in hand in the Christian lifestyle. The Bible talks about sacrificial giving as well as cheerful giving. Just one question: Will your giving this week really represent you?
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