The economy of the early church
As we enter into December on Sunday and the final month of our budget year, we have a lot to be grateful for. God has again provided for us and our church. While our giving has not reached the levels budgeted for, our expenses have been less than planned for!
All year, our giving has been a little more than last year, and with a little push in December, we can end the year with our expenses paid for! Please do prayerfully consider if God has blessed you with enough to bless our church a little extra during this final month.
Yet.
God’s economy has never been about making the checkbook balance. It has never been about prudence.
It was unwise in the eyes of the world for the widow to give her last mite. But her witness has lasted millennia because she was faithful.
In Pastor Karen’s last message, she mentioned that the first Christian church- in Antioch- took up an offering for the church in Judea. Why didn’t the church in Judea have enough? Because it already spent all its money, “taking care of everyone as they had need.”
As Paul traveled around taking up collections, it wasn’t given to themselves, but the offering went to the churches that had need.
Tithes and offerings were about supporting the mission of God, not funding a church.
We are a mission church, built not on prudence but on doing what God has given us and giving out to those that have need, inside our church and out.
If you believe in the mission of our church, I’d encourage you to give in ways that let the church continue to expand God’s mission in the Orchard, in our neighborhoods and communities, and globally around the world.
Let’s end this fiscal year giving generously to God’s mission that he is doing at this church.
Pastor Karen’s last two messages focus on why Orchard Covenant Church is important to God’s mission: we are a beacon of God’s priority of empowering humanity to be his witness, both male and female and from all people groups, united as one. For all that will hear, this is a powerful witness.
Be part of this witness with your time, talents, and yes, your treasures.
Grace be with you,
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