Small Steps Forward
Today there seems to be a similar experience happening in the lives of individuals, in the churches, and in the association. We are all extremely cautious and perhaps a little anxious as we consider whether to step forward, step backward, or to sit and wait. The economic conditions of our world have affected every aspect of our lives. While we read that the economy is improving, we may not personally be experiencing the improvements. Consider how this plays out in our personal lives. When money is tight, we all begin to look for ways to limit our spending. We may shop for bargains, clip coupons, make do with something old, or just do without. We all tend to apply these cost-cutting measures to only select areas of our lives. For instance, some of us may try to cut back on |
food budgets by eating out less, buying less expensive brands of food, or eating meatless meals. Others may reset thermostats to higher temperatures in the summer and lower in the winter. Still others may begin car pooling or taking public transportation to work to save on gasoline. No matter what order we prioritize our financial adjustments, most of us who are Christians put our tithe or charitable giving near the top of our cutback list. The surprise to me is that we are praying that God would supply us more money while we determine that we will stop giving to His work in order to ensure our own comforts. Traditionally, when we have been in similar situations and our economic situations have improved, we have restored almost all of our spending habits prior to restoring our tithe or charitable giving. The scriptures remind us of our need to give and the blessings of God: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need.” (Malachi 3:10) Practically, it is through the offerings we give through our churches that the church is able to help struggling families with financial assistance, to proclaim the gospel locally and globally, |
and to provide for ministries that ultimately change our world in both spiritual and physical ways. Even if finances are not back to normal for you or your church, it is still time for some small steps forward. For instance, today you may not be able to tithe 10% to your church so you are not giving anything. Could you take a small step and begin giving 2% with a plan to move back to 10% during the coming weeks or months? If you used to give $100 per week and cut that back to zero, could you restore it to $25 this week and increase by $5 per week until you are back to giving the $100? None of us knows the full situations and circumstances of another person or family. But just like a parent protecting the young child as he takes his first small steps or the physical therapist carefully protecting the new prosthetic patient taking the first small steps on a new leg, so the Lord is watching over us. He is with us as we take some restorative steps in the demonstration of our faith in Him, even in the area of our finances. As we restore our giving, the church is able to restore its full range of mission and ministry. My word of encouragement to all of us is together let’s restore the ministry that God has entrusted to us by demonstrating our faith through our giving. |
The first steps of a child, the first steps on a prosthetic leg, and the first steps on ice skates are all characterized by the single word “small.” While expectation and excitement are a part of each of these three experiences, the participant begins with caution. He is neither sure of what lies ahead or whether he can accomplish the task in an upright position.