Give our all to Jesus

You have to be my age having grown up a Southern Baptist to remember filling out a Sunday School envelope and placing money inside. My parents started me out with the practice. Once I earned my own money from cutting grass, working at a summer job or laboring on a farm, my tithe went in the envelope. I was a tither before I was a believer. When Jesus became my Lord, I started to give above the tithe.

June and I have always given above the tithe. It has been our practice through the years. June is so generous I have to answer the phone when the telemarketers call or we would be giving to countless causes. We give to missions offerings, special needs of the church and to individuals. My personal conviction about the tithe is that it belongs to the Lord Jesus and should be given through His bride, the church.

As a pastor I learned how to become a good receiver as well as a giver. There was always a layperson or two who would occasionally press a $100 bill into my hand after a worship service. Pastoring in rural areas had advantages. My family would get a side of beef or all the corn we could pull from a church member’s field. God’s supplies are abundant. God uses people to meet those needs.

During this economically hard time many people are struggling. Some have lost their jobs. Some are over-extended financially and cannot catch up. If you are able to help someone through a material gift, I encourage you to do so. You may not be able to do much, but do something. It will mean much to those on the receiving end. Your compassion could open the door for the gospel. Your expression of giving might salvage a weak believer’s walk.

Thank you, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches. Since the economic downturn of October 2008, the Cooperative Program budget receipts have continued strong. Your gracious giving and faithfulness through tough times make it possible for the SBTC to move forward for the cause of Christ in Texas.

However, some churches have experienced the repercussions of the poor economy by having budget shortfalls. Unfortunately, one of the easiest areas to cut is missions. Taking a percent or two from the Cooperative Program is a choice some will find tempting. It is reasoned that Southern Baptists will never miss their reduction. Let me encourage everyone to remain faithful through difficult days. College and seminary students, church planters, disaster relief workers, missionaries and other servants of the Lord in our Southern Baptist family depend on the strength of the Cooperative Program. Your gifts make it possible for the sun to never set on Southern Baptist missions. Your gifts make it possible for the Son to rise in the hearts of those living in darkness.

Giving is one of the evidences of being a Christian. John 3:16 tells us God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son for us. Jesus gave His all. It is the height of ingratitude for us not to reciprocate by giving ourselves totally to the Lord Jesus.