In the 12th chapter of Mark the story is told of Jesus watching a widow give her offering. He not only noticed her gift but he commented to the disciples that her gift was the most pleasing to God because she gave out of her poverty.

God measures the value of a gift by sacrifice – not the dollar amount.

Did you every wonder why Jesus drew attention to this woman and her gift? Could it be that he realized how much more powerful a demonstration is than a lecture?

In our day and age, if called upon to donate by your favorite celebrity, most individuals tend to give more to a celebrity endorsed endeavor if you know for a fact that they not only support it with their voice, but with their pocket book.

When Oprah Winfrey opened and funded a school for girls in Africa and Warren Buffett gives the majority of his wealth away to the Gates Foundation, that makes you pay attention. Not necessarily because their cause strikes a cord, but because of their demonstration of personal generosity.

The amount you commit to our stewardship campaign should be a sacrifice for you, bathed in prayer and guided by God’s hand on your heart.

You may hear a new mom say,  I’m sacrificing my career to raise my child.   But it doesn’t take too long for her to realize the construction work in the homosapien department is quite rewarding.   It can actually be a joy and a learning opportunity to sacrifice.  Whatever you may unselfishly give up for your children, you do so in order to provide a better future for your child.

The followers of Christ sacrificed the comfort of their own homes, their livelihood, and many even lost their lives because they loved and believed in the risen Lord.   However, their sacrifice was nothing compared to the sacrifice and death of Jesus on the cross as he provided salvation and a better future not only for the present world we live in, but for our eternal home.

We need the church. Our children need the church.   A lost and dying world needs the church.   Our church was established by individuals who sacrificially gave of their time, talents and gifts. Their legacy is a legacy of sacrifice.

Our Fearless Giving in Fearful Times stewardship program affords our congregation the opportunity to respond by faith to the challenge and opportunity set before us. Sacrificial gifts allows God to work in the lives of the people as we seek to do God’s  will and give fearlessly in joy and love, not only for the present generation but for generations to come.