Beloved,
Dr. James I. McCord (RIP), renowned
President of Princeton Theological Seminary and the World Alliance of Reformed
Churches, was criticized for always asking for money: "All I ever hear
from you is give, give, give!"
He replied, 'I have never heard of a
better definition of Christianity than give, give, give. We give in gratitude for what He gave in Jesus!"
Amen!
I have no hesitancies about asking
for money to honor Jesus, help His children, and advance the Kingdom.
Yet knowing these are terribly tough
times for many families suffering foreclosures, unemployment, under-employed,
and other severe financial stresses, it's important to make a few notations.
First, everyone in our family of faith at First knows particular
families in our church who have lost their homes, may lose their homes, are
having problems making ends meet, and are treading the turbulent financial
waters of these days. We do not expect the aforementioned to divert funds
from the primary needs of their homes to support the life and ministry of the
church.
Second, as we move to the conclusion of our nearly 1.5 million $
expansion/renovation and dedication service on June 3, we project 100K will not
be covered by the generosity of previous generations and the previous
sacrificial gifts of current members. We are praying to avoid debt as our
Lord inspires those who have been extraordinarily financially blessed to make
up this difference.
I have a friend who likes to say,
"The Lord loves a cheerful giver; but accepts checks from grouches...I
wonder how the people who are too rich to tithe as the least they can do for
Him feel about the inevitability of explaining that to Him sooner or later and
definitely in the end."
Again, I have no
hesitancies about asking for $ from those who have it by the grace of God
as a test of how they will manage it for Him.
Whether it's the
expansion/renovation, Stronghold Benefit, First Response Team, or the
continuing costs of life and ministry on the corner of Lincoln and Main in
Belvidere, Illinois, it's a privilege to encourage folks to give, give, give,
and give some more so they are not cheated of the pleasures of increasing
obedience.
Give, give, give!
You will be glad you did!
You will be blessed beyond your
greatest dreams!
The Kingdom's advancement will be
stronger because of you!
Blessings and Love!
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