I’ve Been Thinking
“God Has A Plan For Us”
28th August 2010
I’ve Been Thinking
“About Blind Faith”
21st August 2010
I’ve Been Thinking
“You Can’t See God Yet Trust Him”
14th August 2010
13th June 2009 |
| Posted by John Gummer (john) on Jul 02 2009 |
Let your light shine before others.
-Matthew 5:16 (NRSV)
Our church is like many others and is facing some financial difficulties. So I had a look around the internet to see if I could see any stories of others facing the same situation. I noticed the following account.
“New Year was beginning, and we were working on the church's budget for the New Year. With abundant hopes and dreams but meager finances, we had to cut.
Someone suggested that we first list the essentials, the items we couldn't do without. Heat, lights, and water made the list. Salaries, music, and building maintenance made the list but could be reduced. Then someone suggested that we eliminate spending outside our church, such as for mission.” [Joe W. Walker (Oregon, U.S.A.)]
IBT This suggestion caused me to remember a story about a lighthouse keeper who was equipping a new lighthouse. He bought furniture for the apartment where he would live but ran out of money before he could buy oil for the light at the top of the lighthouse.
When Jesus said, "Let your light shine," he wasn't talking about light bulbs for the church. He called his followers "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14). The church can get along without heat, water, even buildings. But can we be a church if we do not shine the light of our Lord into the world? Can we claim to be Christ's church if we are not engaged in feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and telling the good news of God's love? These essentials have first call on our resources.
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for entrusting us with the light of your love. Give us courage to make shining your light our first priority. Amen.
Thought
Do you want your church shining God's light into the world?
Focus
Churches having budget problems
WRITTEN BY JOHN GUMMER FOR THE
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE WEEKLY “UPDATE”
Last changed: Jul 02 2009 at 1:17 PM
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