I’m telling you… I’m not smart enough to plan all this stuff out. It just happens!
As we’re faithfully going verse-by-verse through the Bible, here we are on another text that is just PERFECT for this season in our church.
The text today is about money, but I’m not preaching it so that I can get more! The Lord knows my heart, and how awkward this can feel for me. But I think some preachers shy away from texts like these because of the way these texts are abused by the prosperity gospel preachers—the ones on TV asking for you to send three easy payments of $49.99 for a prayer handkerchief. Charlatans!
But then, let’s not get scared of these texts, either. There’s a blessing here for all Christians to get on the giving side of things, and that’s an exciting place to be.
So, today’s sermon is about money, because that’s what the Bible is teaching us. When we’re faithful to God’s Word, I believe God gives us what we need right when we need it. And with so much going on, we have plenty of opportunities to give.
MISSIONS TRIP
We’re going to Durango, Mexico in October, and maybe you would like to sponsor someone to go. What a treat to be able to expose someone to the needs beyond our little “Temecula bubble.”
NEW STAFF
You saw in last week’s newsletter (mailed to our church family) that Bro. Zack Roberts is joining our staff, first as a part-time Staff Intern for one year, and, if the Lord wills, then as an Assistant Pastor. Also, we are looking forward to having one summer intern, Bro. Karsten Blevins. How special would it be to welcome them with a generous gift basket?
MISSIONS REVIVAL
I love the people who say, “We need to treat our missionaries RIGHT! They’ll soon be all alone out there in some foreign country, and while they’re here, we need to be generous.” That’s the spirit. Our goal is to have at least $15,000 in hand before our Missions Revival starts (May 15–19), and, personally, this is the biggest one-time offering I’ll be giving all year. I want our missionaries to know that we love and appreciate them!
MISSIONARIES AND GUEST PREACHERS
When a guest speaker comes to our church, let’s be generous. “Well, it’s the Lord’s work. We don’t want them to do it for filthy lucre. I feel God calling me to keep them humble.”
No! Let’s let God deal with them if they’re greedy.
Besides, I doubt anyone from our little Baptist circles are getting rich off of the ministry. Most of the missionaries and preachers I know try to give more than anybody else they know (at least as a percentage of their income.) I would LOVE to be able to give ridiculous love offerings to everyone that comes through here, so, maybe that means you set a certain amount (say, $100?) to give by faith every time a guest comes.
NEEDS
Over the past couple of weeks, we have presented needs in Ukraine as well as an urgent need for some car repairs and a funeral expense. Other times, someone might need to go to a camp, or others might need help to get through… life. Well, we love to help, and your generosity lets us collectively help people. What a joy!
HEARTLAND BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE
The one check we write monthly that is higher than any other is to our Bible college. They are training men and women to become preachers and Christian workers, and this one investment results in hundreds of students learning the Scriptures and eventually becoming church leaders themselves. It is not a direct missions investment in one missionary, but it is helping almost 100 students graduate debt-free from Bible college every year so they can immediately get to work in the great harvest. Our May offering will go toward helping them renovate the men’s dorms, which haven’t received a major overhaul since opening in 1998. Your missions giving is directly helping people.
God bless you as you use the carnal things to reward spiritual seeds!
1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
–-Pastor Ryan Rench