When
I was growing up, my family and our community taught me…by their
example … how to give generously to the Lord. I never actually saw
their “Sunday offering” ... I didn’t need to … I saw their
example … I saw them give of their time, their talent, their
treasure. And when it was time to build a new church building I saw
one person buy cinder blocks, another drive to Houston for a truck
load of sheetrock and others provide the necessary labor. Everyone
gave of themselves. Their example of sacrifice and stewardship is one
that remains with me to this very day.
As
a child, each week I eagerly gave my offering at church and with that
offering, I worshiped God. However, that offering was not mine to
give. It came from my parents. It was never mine until I had my first
“paying job.”
And
that happened in 1960 when I entered an internship with the Baptist
Hospital and received a stipend of $25.00 a month! Not exactly big
bucks, but … it was my very first … my very own “earned”
income. Then
I was able to give a portion back to God of what He had given to me.
By giving a tithe, I was trusting God, and … God was trusting me to
obey. It was a “win-win” situation.
Elton
and I have been married for over 50 years. Sure, there have been
times when giving our tithes and offerings was difficult. We are no
different than any of the rest of you. Things happen…people get
sick, they work on commission, they lose their jobs, they take on
unforeseen responsibilities … the list goes on and on. Sometimes it
just isn’t easy, but God honors our obedience to Him. I know that
the tithe belongs to the Lord. I have always known that. But it is
the offerings we give above and beyond the tithe that we give
joyfully. This is when that we give out of grace.
In
our fellowship hall is the “Cloud of Witnesses” painting by Shawn
Kingston Bridges. In it I see the faces of many people from Baptist
Temple during the 70’s and 80’s. But, I am also reminded of that
great “cloud of witnesses” at Baptist Temple who had struggled
through the depression of the 30’s, were facing a second world war
and yet they built this very sanctuary, not just for themselves but
for us and the generations to come. Everywhere we look, in every
building we have, we are surrounded by tangible evidence of their
sacrifice and stewardship.
I
am reminded of a poem … “The Bridge Builder.” It tells of an
old man walking a lonely highway who came to a deep chasm filled with
rushing water. He crossed it without fear and immediately turned to
build a bridge. An observer asked him, “Why? Why would you bother
to build a bridge here? You are old. You are never going to pass this
way again.” The man replied, “A young person will follow me
someday and this chasm may prove to be too difficult. I’m building
this bridge for him.”
Our
campaign is about continuing ministry for future generations. I think
of it as “building a bridge for that young person who will follow
us.” We are prepared to make sacrifices to make that happen.
I
challenge you to be a “bridge builder”, too. Please pray about
your participation in our “Heartstrong for CHRIST” campaign.
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