[350 words]
One of the marks of New Testament Christianity is that on the first day of the week, we give of our means, (our money) to help with the work of the church. Several passages of scripture teach us this (Acts 2:45, 1 Cor. 16:2). We are also taught the attitude in which we are to give according to 2 Cor. 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” During times when our financial resources may be in short supply, we may be tempted to cut back or even stop giving to the Lord but before we do that, maybe the following story can help us understand why giving to the Lord’s work each Sunday is so important.
The story is told of one lady who complained that the church was always asking for money. Another woman responded that she and her husband could not have children and adopted a child, a baby boy. It took a lot of money: money for food, clothing, education, toys, etc. As the child grew, he cost the husband and wife more money. But they were glad to do it because they loved their son very much. He went off to college and that cost even more. But one day as he was traveling home from college for spring break, he was killed in a tragic car wreck. The mother with tears in her eyes said, “Our son does not cost us a thing now because he is dead.” She went on to say, “I am more than willing to give to the church because I know that money is needed to help the church grow. If the church did not need money, then I know that it is dead.”
Church, thank you for being cheerful givers, and giving what you can. Today you will have an opportunity to give to the Lord’s work. Besides fulfilling a command of God to give (2 Cor. 9:7), it is also a reminder that the church is not dead.
Mark T. Tonkery
Norval Park church of Christ
Zanesville, OH