When I was at Bible College, one of my lecturers told our class that whenever he met up with men from his church, he would always ask about three areas of life: grog, girls, and greed. From his experience, most men struggled to honour God in at least one of these.
From my own experience, the one people are most uncomfortable talking about is greed. Many will readily share their struggles with alcohol or lust, but few will open up about how they are seeking to honour God with their money and possessions. A retired pastor once told me that in decades of ministry, he had heard confessions of almost every sin under the sun (even murder!) but never once had someone come to him seeking help with greed.
Yet as people who want to be wholehearted followers of Jesus, we want God’s Word and Spirit to shape every area of our lives, including what we do with our money and possessions.
That is why it is important for us to be a church that can talk honestly about our finances, both personally and collectively. We share the responsibility and the privilege of giving to the work of God’s kingdom among us.
I am reminded of the Macedonian Christians in 2 Corinthians 8. Paul writes:
“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.”
What a picture of grace-fuelled generosity. Even in hardship, they begged to share in the privilege of supporting gospel work.
With that same spirit in mind, our Administration Team will be sharing a quarterly financial update below. The goal is to communicate clearly about the church’s financial position and to highlight the needs and opportunities God has placed before us.
Please take time to read it carefully. Ask questions. Pray. And give generously, not out of guilt, but out of joy in what God is doing through us as a church family.
Grace and peace,
Andrew