By Didi Bacon
We couldn’t do this without you…
This past Sunday, David McGuire provided an update on two examples of loving God loving people.
Check out the video…
Generosity resulted in beds being made for children in Ohio and help provide for Ukrainians in need. Someone said, “When you give, you make yourself famous. When you give to the church, you make Jesus famous.” We want to make Jesus famous. Let me share with you how it works.
The good news is that God has made a way for you to be made right with Him. Faith in Jesus means you are adopted into the family of God. If you are a child of God, who is the King of Kings, you are royalty!
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
If you are a child of God you are also invited to do your part in the family business. What is the family business?
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
The family business is the ministry of the church to make disciples. A disciple is a person who devotes her life to following a master. Christians are disciples of Jesus. How does the church pursue making disciples of Jesus? We use the gifts Jesus gives us to do the work Jesus assigns us.
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:3–8 (NIV)
When you say yes to your assignment in the family business of God, He provides what you need to get it done. That is how the gifts of the Spirit work. The church works when everyone does their part.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
How do you know what God is calling you to do in the church? You start with the basics. A first step is to begin giving financially to support the ministry of the church. You as a member of the church family can give something in order to do your part in the family business. God required his people, the Israelites, to give ten percent of their income. This principle is carried through into the New Testament church, where members were encouraged to give according to their means. Shoot for the 10% and beyond, but start where you can. Give something. You see this principle in Paul’s instruction to the church in Corinth regarding a gift he was gathering to help suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Read what he said.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NIV)
God’s work is resourced by the faithful generosity of his people. Children of God doing their part in the family business.
Are you part of our church family?
Are you doing your part in the family business?
Activate the gifts of the Holy Spirit by doing your part in the ministry of the church. Start with giving.
Decide to give. Then give cheerfully and see how God will bless. Make Jesus famous.
We cannot do this without you…
