It is no more correct for a church to cut missions giving to an association when she feels economically pinched than it is for an individual to cut his personal tithe when things are tight at home, yet this is one of the most common reactions seen when budgets are trimmed. God does not call us to give what is left over out of what we think we can afford but to give Him the best of our first fruits. If we do not agree or understand this spiritual concept, then it is time for us to address our immaturity and small faith. If we’ve learned nothing about sacrifice and willingness to give joyfully and unconditionally to the work of the Lord, then let’s not play spiritual games pretending to be holy while denying God the freedom to work mightily in us.

We are not a poor people suffering through difficult economic times. We are a people blessed well beyond what we deserve and have so much more than we need. If you are ever tempted to think we don't have the resources at our fingertips to accomplish what God has called us to, just do a quick inventory of your home and possessions. We easily have more than most of the people on this planet could ever begin to imagine or dream about. If you doubt this, it is probably because you've never walked among a people devastated by war, disease, natural disaster, poverty, and corruption. We have stored up more treasure on earth than any other generation in history, and have more surefire, quick, and expensive “remedies” for just about any vain problem imaginable from stained teeth to baldness. We will spend untold billions of dollars on snake oil (19th century term for worthless cures) and fads that we are convinced will guarantee our success, happiness, and long life, and while we satisfy our vanity tens of thousands of folks, including our own children, grandchildren, and neighbors all around Bedford County are still waiting to hear what a difference Christ can make in their lives.

What goes into the offering plate is a direct reflection of the one making the gift. A weak, self-absorbed, apathetic, lukewarm, small-minded man or woman will give very little of themselves or of their resources. They will always be watching out for how they might gain or win in a relationship rather than consider themselves servants who quietly and even secretly sacrifice so that others will benefit and be blessed. It is the same mentality that feeds the “church hopping” epidemic of 21st century America. “If I’m not getting what I want at church, I will simply move to another place.” We should be asking, “Who would God have me be where I am that others might be served?”

Check the scriptures to see the examples of obedient, holy, and mature givers compared with those who were selfish, sinful, and hypocritical. Beware that you begin to look more like a Pharisee than a repentant tax collector or a Sapphira than a Barnabas. Consider Zacchaeus (Lk. 19), Cornelius (Acts 10), the Magi (Matt. 2:11), the Centurion (Luke 7:4-5), Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2-3), the good Samaritan (Luke 10:33-35), the poor widow (Luke 21:2-4), the early Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 2:44-45 & 4:32-37), Antioch (11:29), Philippi (Phil. 4:18), Corinth (2 Cor. 8:19 & 9:1-13), Macedonia (2 Cor. 8:1-4), and others in the New Testament (1 Cor. 16:1-4, 2 Cor. 6:1-3, 11:29-30 & 24:17, Rom. 15:25-28, Heb. 6:10) or even the generosity of the pagan people of Melita toward Paul (Acts 28:10).

Until we see and treat one another and the world as Christ does, we will not be any more fruitful or commendable than a Laodicea. Our problem is not an economic one, it is spiritual. We chase after things that we shouldn’t, we seek our own way, we forget what it means to love one another, we tear the bride of Christ to pieces, we focus on the petty while ignoring the major, and fail to see or care for the hungry, naked, fatherless, and imprisoned who live in our own neighborhoods.

No matter what the past holds, God is able to revive and restore. However, He will only enter where He is invited. Churches of Strawberry, how are you going to respond?