My First Thought:
As a child I remember overhearing a conversation between my mom and dad one night. I was in my bedroom, as were they; but, because our bedroom doors were adjacent, I could overhear their conversation. It had to do with money.
There had been some unexpected expenses that put them short of money. It seems that they were down to their last $10. They were discussing the family needs and what that $10 meant for the coming week. The discussion focused around groceries and church. Should they buy the needed groceries for the week? Or, should they honor their faith promise in the offering on Sunday? (We have to remember that in the late 1950s $10 went a lot further in terms of grocery shopping and offerings!)
My memory fails me at this point so I also cannot tell you whether or not the $10 was put to use at Knowlan’s Grocery Store or placed in the offering for Bethel Lutheran Church. Whatever my parents decided to do at that moment – I didn't starve and the church didn’t close.
Such decisions are faced by all of us. At times it might involve the stewardship of $10. At other times it might involve the stewardship of $100 or $1,000. What I do remember from the above story is that my parents not only discussed it between themselves, but they discussed it with God in prayer.
Stewardship involves the management of life resources. It is appropriate to discuss such management decisions with an appropriate family member as well as one’s Lord!
My Second Thought:
We are participating in a November Thank Offering at Living Word. The gifts received from families will go toward maintaining the salaries and benefits of our workers at Living Word Church and School.
We are encouraging each family to look at the blessings received from God over the past year and respond accordingly. Such gifts to Living Word can be included with one’s regular offering (noting the portion for the Thank Offering), or as a separate donation.
My Third Thought:
Living Word is encouraging each family to make a Faith Promise for 2012. This Faith Promise becomes part of the resource management decisions that a family will make for 2012.
The Faith Promise can be found online at www.livword.net. Simply look for the link on the home page. It can be downloaded for printing or it can be submitted online.
My Fourth Thought:
Encouraged for Tomorrow has been a congregational effort to raise funds to (1) address our mortgage and (2) replace the roof on our facility. To date, we have received a little over 50% of the commitments toward a $600,000 goal. The program is scheduled for completion on June 1, 2012.
We are asking that each family who made a commitment use the 2012 Faith Promise card (see above) to indicate how they would like to fulfill their commitment. There are several options, including the option of changing the commitment based on circumstances.
Please pray with me:
Lord God, heavenly Father, help me more effectively manage the many resources you have given me in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
As a child I remember overhearing a conversation between my mom and dad one night. I was in my bedroom, as were they; but, because our bedroom doors were adjacent, I could overhear their conversation. It had to do with money.
There had been some unexpected expenses that put them short of money. It seems that they were down to their last $10. They were discussing the family needs and what that $10 meant for the coming week. The discussion focused around groceries and church. Should they buy the needed groceries for the week? Or, should they honor their faith promise in the offering on Sunday? (We have to remember that in the late 1950s $10 went a lot further in terms of grocery shopping and offerings!)
My memory fails me at this point so I also cannot tell you whether or not the $10 was put to use at Knowlan’s Grocery Store or placed in the offering for Bethel Lutheran Church. Whatever my parents decided to do at that moment – I didn't starve and the church didn’t close.
Such decisions are faced by all of us. At times it might involve the stewardship of $10. At other times it might involve the stewardship of $100 or $1,000. What I do remember from the above story is that my parents not only discussed it between themselves, but they discussed it with God in prayer.
Stewardship involves the management of life resources. It is appropriate to discuss such management decisions with an appropriate family member as well as one’s Lord!
My Second Thought:
We are participating in a November Thank Offering at Living Word. The gifts received from families will go toward maintaining the salaries and benefits of our workers at Living Word Church and School.
We are encouraging each family to look at the blessings received from God over the past year and respond accordingly. Such gifts to Living Word can be included with one’s regular offering (noting the portion for the Thank Offering), or as a separate donation.
My Third Thought:
Living Word is encouraging each family to make a Faith Promise for 2012. This Faith Promise becomes part of the resource management decisions that a family will make for 2012.
The Faith Promise can be found online at www.livword.net. Simply look for the link on the home page. It can be downloaded for printing or it can be submitted online.
My Fourth Thought:
Encouraged for Tomorrow has been a congregational effort to raise funds to (1) address our mortgage and (2) replace the roof on our facility. To date, we have received a little over 50% of the commitments toward a $600,000 goal. The program is scheduled for completion on June 1, 2012.
We are asking that each family who made a commitment use the 2012 Faith Promise card (see above) to indicate how they would like to fulfill their commitment. There are several options, including the option of changing the commitment based on circumstances.
Please pray with me:
Lord God, heavenly Father, help me more effectively manage the many resources you have given me in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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