Dear Reader, I’m writing to you today on behalf of your pastor. However, please consider it a very personal letter to you directly from the heart of your beloved pastor. Please receive it and give it your appropriate attention and response. Thank you.
To my dear Church Member,
First, I want you to know I love being your pastor and working with you in the life and ministry of our congregation. What a privilege we have to be God’s children called together here in our church. Thank you for your faithfulness in attending our services and receiving my sermons from the Bible, the very Word of God, the very Word of The Lord.
Although my letter to you today is not a sermon, I do want to bring you the Word of the Lord also here. And this Word of the Lord is about our Giving and Christian Stewardship. And The Lord in His Word has a lot to say about this.
What I share with you today is about giving our “Treasures.” Other information will be shared about giving our “Time and Talents.”
The internet tells us there are roughly 2,350 verses in the Bible concerning money. That, apparently, is almost twice as many as verses about faith and prayer combined.
Calculations indicate that nearly 15% of everything Jesus spoke about related to money and possessions.
I was taught that 16 out of 38 parables dealt with the topic of money.
According to common consensus, the only subject Jesus taught more about than money was the Kingdom of God.
So, the Scriptures are very clear about a direct connection between our spiritual life and our actions concerning money. Wouldn’t you agree?
You and your fellow members of our church are shining examples of disciples of Jesus who have heard and have taken to heart Jesus’ teachings about Giving and Christian Stewardship. Your offerings reflect your spiritual strength, your faithful attitude about giving to the Lord through our church, and that you are “putting your treasures where your heart is.”
I simply say to you here, “Keep up the good work!”
And remember two things.
One, we are desperately in need of a savior, we have one in Jesus Christ, and we are saved wonderfully and only by His grace.
And two, we give back to God from the monetary blessings He has given us because we are so deeply and joyfully thankful for this grace that has been given to us.
And, oh by the way, if you have not yet begun to give your offerings, or you have not given them lately, this would be a great time to “join the joy.” And also a great time to consider an increase in your giving if the Lord leads you to do so.
Finally, here are just two of the 2,350 Bible verses:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.” James 1:17
“God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
May the Grace and Peace of Christ continue to bless and keep you.
I’ll see you Sunday in church.
Your Pastor
[Dr. Justin Kollmeyer, a thirty-seven year resident of Fayette County, is a retired Lutheran pastor. He offers his preaching and teaching pastoral ministry to any group seeking or needing a Christ centered, Biblically based, and traditionally grounded sermon or teaching. Reach him at [email protected].]
