“giving As A Expression Of The Heart” Series

19 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6: 19-21; NRSV)

In this passage, Jesus tells his followers not to set their affections on the temporal, but rather on the eternal. The reason for this admonition is that people will give their tithes, talents and time to whatever is on their hearts. If their hearts are focused on the things of earth, then their efforts will not have any lasting outcomes. But if their hearts are focused on the things of heaven, then their efforts will have everlasting outcomes.

As we prepare for the immediate future, we need everyone to:

• Identify some component of the church’s work that captures your heart

• Prayerfully consider how you can give of your resources and yourself in supporting that component

• Make a pledge to commit your resources and yourself to bringing that planned activity to fruition

As in the past, we will have expected and unexpected challenges in keeping this church a viable spiritual entity. But we believe that God has already supplied the treasure (i.e., finances, skills, knowledge, abilities, volunteer time, etc.) that we need to overcome those challenges and to meet our planned objectives. So whether member or friend, please begin planning now on how you can invest your treasure in that which has eternal value. If you are not sure where to start, then just search your heart.