Financials!

December 30, 2024, Monday Message:

2 Thessalonians 3:12 NLT: “We command such (lazy) people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.”

When “The Way,” the first church, was founded, people sold houses and property and donated the proceeds to the church, with a “what’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine” attitude. It sounds a little like communism, and mankind isn’t very good at that! Before you know it, people are tempted to take more from the co-op than they’re putting in. Lazy! And in reality, widows and orphans are unable to add resources, so some of us need to contribute extra to care for those needy. That’s what Jesus would have us do!

It’s the same in our churches nowadays. Some will be able to donate large amounts, others much smaller. Churches have very real expenses. I once worked for a church with leaky windows, where paying for heat in January and February was always challenging. We’d often have to launch a “second effort” mid-year financial campaign, but we always survived. Those who could give gave even more!

But there comes a time when it’s obvious that donations will no longer support the amount of ministry to which we’re called. Sometimes the current business plan is unsustainable. Time to increase donations or cut back on ministry, or both!

As leaders, we need to be good stewards of God’s resources!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship