Until February 2004 I had only a slight idea of Jesus Christ. I had known God the Father much of my life, but Jesus only at Christmas. For so many years I had no desire to attend church and had not read the Bible since teen-age. All this changed when a dear friend sent the book“Heaven Is So Real”. For a few days after receiving this book, it was untouched as were the many other loving gifts she had sent over fifty years. It lay on a table and for some reason (I know now it was the Holy Spirit) I started to read the book one evening. In the early morning hours on February 2, 2004 I was awakened by being shaken and was blinded by a bright light. I knew then that the book’s message was from God. Since then I have come to love Jesus with all my heart.
Soon after, I had the urge to start church attendance so I checked out two churches. But Anita said she wanted it to be the church we now attend. Anita has always been interested in church services but for many years I was too busy or so I thought. After only several Sunday services I knew that this was “our church”. The pastor at the time, Pastor Tom Atkins told me that the church is dedicated to Jesus Christ and to outreach programs. Bible Study allowed me to find friends who have become family friends. We love the church because of the loving congregation. We even love the people who try to tell about their grand children. We don’t ever say what one man replied to the question “Have I told you about our grand children?” He said: “No and thank you very much.”
Two things in particular trouble me now. Since we know that this church is a great place to worship God and to find Jesus Christ, how can more people be led to it? A lot of effort has been spent in publicizing the church, including ads, bulletins and information distributed around the community. Dedicated members are working to bring in people. Activities are planned so we can invite friends. Our pastor has urged that we talk to our neighbors as this is the surest way to bring in new members. I admit that I could do more of this. What else? We all must be servants, not like the waiter when asked “Is it still raining outside?” He gave a surly answer: “This is not my table”.
The main concern though is spreading the message of Christ’s offer of salvation. Our church has helped other communities in need and has had missionaries go to foreign lands. We support these loving activities and other outreach efforts. Fortunately many other churches and mission-centered groups are also doing this. Such efforts need our whole-hearted support. We cannot keep the vital information about Jesus from those that haven’t had the opportunity to hear it. Proverbs 3:27 states: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” Suppose we knew of a doctor who had a sure cure for cancer and kept it to ourselves. Would this be a Christian act? We do know a sure cure for all ills, it is eternal life with Christ. Are we doing all we can to tell others about this or are we just content to keep it to ourselves? Jesus commanded his disciples to go out and spread His Word to the entire world. Each of us has this responsibility and most of us have the ability to do it if we only would. Jesus continues to work on this Himself. The book HISR that brought me to Him is one of His final efforts to bring His message to mankind. He continues to use individuals to spread His wonderful message, including giving them specific text to write, and taking them to Heaven and hell to know and write about it.
Tithing is not an option, it is a command from God. Matthew 6 states: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart is also. You cannot serve both God and money.” If we value anything above our love for Jesus, it is a sin!
Just to keep our church open requires considerable money, as your own home needs money to sustain it. We cannot expect to come and hear lovely music and an uplifting sermon without contributing to the cost. What if no one gave? The doors would be permanently closed. But beyond this, if the church is to have outreach programs to help the needy and to spread the Gospel, more is needed. If there is not enough money to spread the word about Jesus by support of outreach programs, would we be happy to attend a selfish organization? I know I would not!
So when it comes time to make your pledge, we should give not what we think we can get away with, give for the love of God. He doesn’t need our money, but He wants it for His programs on earth. Don’t be like Alfred Newman of the comics: “What, Me Worry”. He is saying, I will just let others do it, not my concern.