Champlin United Methodist Church

The Growing Place

921 Downs Road

Champlin, Minnesota

763-421-7047

®

Directions:

Contact Us / Links:

   Open Minds,

        Open Hearts,

             Open Doors

Sunday
morning
worship at
10:00 am

"Showing Christ's Love by Serving"

last modified:
 9/27/2007

                October 2007

As we move deeper into the season of fall, plans begin for the hopes and dreams of our church in the coming year.  Committees seek God’s direction, work diligently planning programs, and set their budgets.  These tasks are so important to the life of God’s church here in Champlin.  It is not easy work, but without it and the personal and financial commitments of our church family, the work of Christ as carried out by this congregation couldn’t happen.

The fall sermon series continues in November.  Way to Grow in Faith Through…. GIVING. Sermon titles are: Nov. 11th - “Planting our Passion”,  Nov. 18th - “Making it Grow”, and  Nov. 25th – “Celebrating the Harvest”. We will make our commitment to God through pledging our finances on November 18th.

Giving is a serious matter; but it’s also a practice that brings inexpressible joy when done in the right spirit.  And, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “God loves a cheerful giver.”(9:7) Giving is at the heart of the Christian life, at the heart of the Gospel, and at the heart of God.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son…” (John 3:16)  God is the infinite and perfect Giver. Giving is central to who God is.  And because giving is inherent in God’s character, when we give we identify with God and reflect God’s likeness.

A principle for us to consider in our giving is this: what God provides determines what we give.  If God gives a little from that little we are to give; if God gives abundantly, from that abundance we are to give.  Whatever God provides regardless of the depth or breadth, determines the measure of our giving.  As Jesus reminded his disciples, “To whom much is given, much is required.” (Luke 12:48)

So don’t worry about what you have or don’t have to give.  Instead I encourage you to give in proportion to everything you have received.  My personal conviction is that giving begins with the tithe; giving a tenth (10%) of what you earn, and then extends beyond that to additional offerings for the Lord’s work.  As we give, relying upon the Lord and depending upon him as our source, we grow in grace.  In the process, giving becomes a therapeutic experience, for as we die to self we come alive in faith.  We can be sure that God will provide; and the proportion of God’s provision defines the proportion of our giving.

God's Blessings, and see you in church!

Pastor Joyce <><