Sunday Words of Encouragement March 27, 2022

We continued our study in Revelation during Sunday School as our teacher reminded us to “Be rapture ready at all times.” We then enjoyed good worship, singing (among other songs) Good, Good Father. A Word of God was shared encouraging us to seek Him and assuring us He would be with us when we seek Him. Our interim Pastor noted: “Jesus is real. Invite Him in.”

Pastor then continued his sermon series on “What Have You Lost?”
He reminded us of the last two lessons from Luke 14 25-35, and he reviewed the six principles he set forth last week. Then Pastor continued in Luke 15. When Jesus engaged with new people, the Pharisees murmured/complained.

Last week Pastor covered the lost sheep in Luke15:3-7. He stated that the mission of the Church (all churches) is to go after the lost. Mark 16:15. But he is concerned that too many churches are built for the 99 who are already saved instead of reaching out to the one that is lost.

Are too many of us self-righteous or self-indulgent? Have we lost our passion for the lost? Jesus continues to seek the lost.

Pastor then shared the second parable of the woman who lost a coin in her own home. Luke 15:8-10. The coin was a drachma or equivalent of a days wage. And she lost one of ten or 10% of her money. It is not a money issue, but lost means because the big picture is lost people. Our means is tied to His mission. Our means are the foundation for funding the mission! All resources belong to God. We all probably have too many things at home gathering dust.

Lost coins can't accomplish their purpose, that is why it is important to find them.
People are hurting financially. Our country is 32 trillion in debt; four out of ten families do not have enough for a $400.00 emergency. The congregations’ tithes and offerings fund the mission. We need to be aware of waste, but some people do not give their tithe to the church. Malachi 3:8. Some argue that the Old Testament was part of the law and done away with by the coming of Christ. But first, the law is being fulfilled by Christ, and second, the principle of tithing existed long before Malachi.

Genesis 14:19-20 tells how Abraham gave a tithe of all that he recovered to the priest, Melchizedek. How did Abraham know? God may have instructed Adam and Eve, as Genesis 4:3 tells us that their sons brought offerings. Or God may have given direct instructions to Abraham.
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New Testament also tells us to support the church: 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:2-7; 2 Corinthians 9:6-12; and Mark 12:41-44.

Tithing is a Biblical principle. Tithes and offerings help to fulfill the Mission of God. The money is not mine! Have we lost the Mission? Have we lost the means? We don’t give gifts to get anything but to further His Mission.

I found this song called “Offering” that speaks to 'all I have is His.'

Verses for Today:
Malachi 3:8-10 NIV
8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.


Thank you, Heavenly Father, for so many gifts and blessings. Make me mindful to always return a portion of Your gifts to help Your Mission!

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 23, 2014

Our Pastor's message this morning.was on our attitude towards money and particularly on tithing. He doesn't often speak on giving but every once in a while he encourages the congregation to an attitude of cheerful giving. He reminded us that it isn't money itself that is evil but "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" Timothy 6:10. Some people claim they don't have enough money to give any to the church. But the mature Christian knows that all his or her needs will be met only when God is honored with the first fruits of what He gives us.

My husband and I were blessed to have learned this lesson early in our marriage. We both agreed that we should tithe and God has continually provided all that we needed. There were lean times when we couldn't go to McDonald's for dinner, but we never went hungry. We did have to learn to surrender control of certain possessions in order to allow God to use what we had. It was then we recognized that everything we have -- all money, all talents, all possessions -- belongs to God. We are just stewards here on earth of the gifts He has given. He allows us to keep ninety percent of what He has given to us and only asks for a return of ten percent to further His kingdom. We have learned also that He is generous to pour out blessings when we share what we have. It is a beautiful thing and we are glad to give Him the praise!

This morning we sang this song as a new praise song.
I hope you enjoy it as I did.

Verses For Today:
Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV)
8 "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you robbed me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?'
"In tithes and offerings.  9 You are under a curse--your whole nation-- because you are robbing me.
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."


A prayer today: Thank you Heavenly Father for always meeting our needs and for blessing us greatly beyond mere needs. Keep us mindful to help others by sharing what you have so graciously allowed us to be stewards of. May our faithful tithes and giving bless Your kingdom.