Throughout the Bible God generously provided for his covenant people. He gave Abraham livestock and money from pagan rulers. He gave Isaac a wife and two sons. He gave Jacob blessings from his father and a large family. He gave Joseph strategic leadership over Egypt. He gave Israel vast wealth from Egypt and real estate in Canaan. God provided for his covenant people according to his faithfulness.
God transformed Israel from migrant slaves in Egypt into a mighty nation in Canaan. Israel received land, cities, houses, home goods, wells, vineyards, and groves they did not purchase or earn. Moses warned Israel not to become proud and say, “My strength and my hands have produced this wealth for me." Everything they had—including their abilities—came from the generous hand of God (Deut 8:17-18).
Jesus’s half-brother, James, picks up the same theme in his epistle. He warns Christians not to boast about their business plans or to presume they can keep making money. “All such boasting is evil.” Instead, James instructs believers to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” From this posture of humility, James says Christians must “do the good they ought to do” (James 4:15-17).
As the elders and I have been reviewing the church budget and preparing for 2027, we are reminded God has given our church incredible resources. The land and building are debt free. We have cash in reserves and restricted funds. The faithful gifts and sacrifices of previous generations, former church members, and current members prompt me and the elders to “Remember the Lord” and his faithfulness to our church.
At the same time, I do not want us to merely depend on our assets, and the gifts already given, as an excuse not to continue giving. I want us to “do the good we ought to do” and use the resources God gives us now to advance the gospel. Rather than ask, “How much does the church need?” or “How much should I give?” I want us to prayerfully consider, “How much can I give?” and “How much could the church do if I gave more?”
Remember the Lord. He owns it all. And he has given us the boundless riches of Christ (Eph 3:18).
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan