Giving
When I was a young boy, I remember asking my dairy farmer neighbor how much milk one of his cows gave. He replied, “If you’re asking how much milk a cow gives willingly, the answer is ‘she don’t give a drop.’
“But if you’re asking how much milk she gives when I corner her in a stall, and lock her head in so she can’t move, and then take it from her, well, the answer is ‘about 10 quarts.’”
Over the years I’ve known some people who are less giving than even my neighbor’s cow. If someone asks how much they willingly give, the answer has to be “nothing.” And if you wonder how much they give when they’re cornered and can’t move … the answer still remains “nothing.”
You are different from those people. You have stopped to consider the tremendous blessings God has given you in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ, your Savior. You appreciate the grace, mercy and peace that is yours now through Christ’s life, suffering, death and resurrection. You are grateful for the forgiveness and salvation Jesus won for you in the manger, in the desert, on the cruel cross and in the borrowed tomb.
Your appreciation and thankfulness was definitely evident these past two months. We asked the congregation to give towards reducing our $103,000 debt … and you responded! In a time of national recession, where Racine was one of the hardest hit cities in Wisconsin, you responded. In a church of average middle class families with middle class salaries, you responded. In the past few years we have put up a new sign, rebuilt the organ, fixed up the basement rooms, installed two upstairs bathrooms and redecorated the interior of the church, and you have once again responded.
We have received at least $25,000 for debt reduction! And each dollar will be matched by an Epiphany family’s foundation! That $50,000 will pay off one whole loan from Tri-City bank. That will only leave us with another $53,000 loan from LACE. (Another member has generously paying off 4-5 months of our LACE loans, too!)
Why were you so willing to give? One answer … Jesus. God didn’t have to be coerced, convinced or conned into setting His plan of salvation into motion. And when it comes to giving, Jesus didn’t die because nails held Him to the cross. He didn’t die that dark Friday because some soldiers were standing guard to prevent His escape.
Jesus willingly gave so we might have.
Now you have given willingly so others may share what we have – forgiveness, salvation, grace, mercy, love, peace, Christian fellowship, a church and school we love and cherish, and a ministry we appreciate and want to share.
Let me close with a few Bible verses that came to mind while I was thinking about what God has accomplished through you:
• And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17
• Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:17
• I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength. ~ Philippians 4:13
• I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:4
• “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” ~ Matthew 25:21
• To God be the glory; great things He has done! – Christian Worship: 399
Thank you for being thankful!
“But if you’re asking how much milk she gives when I corner her in a stall, and lock her head in so she can’t move, and then take it from her, well, the answer is ‘about 10 quarts.’”
Over the years I’ve known some people who are less giving than even my neighbor’s cow. If someone asks how much they willingly give, the answer has to be “nothing.” And if you wonder how much they give when they’re cornered and can’t move … the answer still remains “nothing.”
You are different from those people. You have stopped to consider the tremendous blessings God has given you in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ, your Savior. You appreciate the grace, mercy and peace that is yours now through Christ’s life, suffering, death and resurrection. You are grateful for the forgiveness and salvation Jesus won for you in the manger, in the desert, on the cruel cross and in the borrowed tomb.
Your appreciation and thankfulness was definitely evident these past two months. We asked the congregation to give towards reducing our $103,000 debt … and you responded! In a time of national recession, where Racine was one of the hardest hit cities in Wisconsin, you responded. In a church of average middle class families with middle class salaries, you responded. In the past few years we have put up a new sign, rebuilt the organ, fixed up the basement rooms, installed two upstairs bathrooms and redecorated the interior of the church, and you have once again responded.
We have received at least $25,000 for debt reduction! And each dollar will be matched by an Epiphany family’s foundation! That $50,000 will pay off one whole loan from Tri-City bank. That will only leave us with another $53,000 loan from LACE. (Another member has generously paying off 4-5 months of our LACE loans, too!)
Why were you so willing to give? One answer … Jesus. God didn’t have to be coerced, convinced or conned into setting His plan of salvation into motion. And when it comes to giving, Jesus didn’t die because nails held Him to the cross. He didn’t die that dark Friday because some soldiers were standing guard to prevent His escape.
Jesus willingly gave so we might have.
Now you have given willingly so others may share what we have – forgiveness, salvation, grace, mercy, love, peace, Christian fellowship, a church and school we love and cherish, and a ministry we appreciate and want to share.
Let me close with a few Bible verses that came to mind while I was thinking about what God has accomplished through you:
• And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17
• Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:17
• I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength. ~ Philippians 4:13
• I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:4
• “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” ~ Matthew 25:21
• To God be the glory; great things He has done! – Christian Worship: 399
Thank you for being thankful!
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