We begin the second day of our mission in Novi Sad, Serbia. The 5 guys I am traveling with have been great team members: flexible and ready to serve others. We have had some good laughs as well.
It has been a joy to see old friends face to face. This is now my third trip to Serbia. It is becoming familiar ground, a home away from home. It is great to see progress. Each time I have come, more of the vision God has given Pastor Sasa is being accomplished. We have come to help finish construction on their new Teen Challenge Women's Center. They are a few months away from moving into the new facility.
This morning (Sunday) we will be visiting the current Women's center. Listening to their testimonies and sharing some of our own. I woke this morning with the urge to pray for any sick among them, so we will make ourselves available for that as well. Watching to see what the Lord does through our and their faith.
I will share with you all the results. Later, Eric
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
STEWARDSHIP OF HILLSIDE: The Purse - Acts 4:32-37
It has been a few weeks since updating my blog. I've been fighting off a terrible flu bug, traveling out of town, and helping my wife prepare a mother's day message. And of course, Angela did an awesome job this past mother's day, preaching on ending the spirit of judgment. Why? Because the full weight of that judgment will come to rest on you.
This week, I am back to the subject of stewardship, answering the question, how does God fund ministry? No, the answer is not money. The correct answer is through people giving. Ministry has always been funded by people giving: time, money, prayer, service and their abilities to benefit others for the glory of God. Without people, ministry will not happen on both the giving and receiving end.
I think one of the most beautiful stories on giving in the New Testament is Acts 4:32-37. I challenge you to read it and count the number of times the author uses absolute language such as "all" or "everything". It seems Luke, the author of Acts, wants us to see the outcome of extreme generosity. This is a testimony of a great church, with great people, exercising great giving and experiencing a great measure of God's grace and power through Jesus Christ.
It's the way church ought to be; a life-giving community where people are more concerned about each other than themselves. I watched some great giving at the end of 2008. One family in our church received a used car from their parents and then gave their car to Hillside for another family in need. While this transaction was happening, another family at Hillside received a used car from their brother, so they gave their old car to the same family at Hillside that the first used car went to benefit. Now this family had two cars, so they gave the car to a fourth family at Hillside. If you didn't follow all that: summary - 4 cars were given to four families at Hillside, each family ending up with a better car than they had before. It was trickle down economics for sure. Each family could have benefited from selling the extra car they had in their possession but realizing the blessing they had received compelled them to give away what they had to another. The blessing went deep into our church family. It was fun to watch!
God loves a giving community. The Old Testament Prophet Malachi says, "God will open the floodgates of heaven upon those who give according to God's instructions." Sign me up for that! Oh, there are instructions to follow. I don't get to decide how much to give or how much to serve. I cannot just give out of my overflow or excess. Yes, God has some things to say on this matter. If you want to read on your own, then look at Malachi 3:6-12; otherwise, see you Sunday.
This week, I am back to the subject of stewardship, answering the question, how does God fund ministry? No, the answer is not money. The correct answer is through people giving. Ministry has always been funded by people giving: time, money, prayer, service and their abilities to benefit others for the glory of God. Without people, ministry will not happen on both the giving and receiving end.
I think one of the most beautiful stories on giving in the New Testament is Acts 4:32-37. I challenge you to read it and count the number of times the author uses absolute language such as "all" or "everything". It seems Luke, the author of Acts, wants us to see the outcome of extreme generosity. This is a testimony of a great church, with great people, exercising great giving and experiencing a great measure of God's grace and power through Jesus Christ.
It's the way church ought to be; a life-giving community where people are more concerned about each other than themselves. I watched some great giving at the end of 2008. One family in our church received a used car from their parents and then gave their car to Hillside for another family in need. While this transaction was happening, another family at Hillside received a used car from their brother, so they gave their old car to the same family at Hillside that the first used car went to benefit. Now this family had two cars, so they gave the car to a fourth family at Hillside. If you didn't follow all that: summary - 4 cars were given to four families at Hillside, each family ending up with a better car than they had before. It was trickle down economics for sure. Each family could have benefited from selling the extra car they had in their possession but realizing the blessing they had received compelled them to give away what they had to another. The blessing went deep into our church family. It was fun to watch!
God loves a giving community. The Old Testament Prophet Malachi says, "God will open the floodgates of heaven upon those who give according to God's instructions." Sign me up for that! Oh, there are instructions to follow. I don't get to decide how much to give or how much to serve. I cannot just give out of my overflow or excess. Yes, God has some things to say on this matter. If you want to read on your own, then look at Malachi 3:6-12; otherwise, see you Sunday.
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