Now it's our turn!

I am thinking a lot about the future of Southwood these days.  How can you not when you see the huge earth movers next door to us preparing the hundreds of acres of land around us for new development.  The future looks bright.  You can only imagine the many new people who will find a home in this area in the next 10-20 years -- and also find a church home in Southwood.  It is exciting to think about!

But there is one concern.  Will we continue to grow our faith and giving to respond to the growth demands of our ministry?  That question will be answered by all of us in the next few weeks as we make our commitments of financial giving to Southwood for the year of 2008.  We can only do as much as our giving will allow us.

I get some complaints that I talk about money too often.  Personally speaking, how I use my money is how I put my faith into action.  This is central to my sense of integrity.  My wife and I tithe to Southwood. On top of that we give to our capital campaign, Mission Unlimited, which is another 5%.  On top of that we give to our AIDS Orphan Scholarship fund, we support our schools, we support community nonprofits, etc.  Our giving is a significant way that we as a family can truly touch a lot of people with a message of hope.

I personally see this as putting my faith into action.  Considering that we are the richest people in the world, it is the least that we can do.  I also know that I have needed to press myself in this way to grow spiritually. So, this year we will make our commitment for another year.  It will be a tithe (and maybe a little bit more).  It will be our way of putting our faith into action.  It also is our way of enabling God to do some great things in the lives of people.  It is an investment in something that is much bigger than ourselves and has eternal implications.  That is why our giving is an exciting part of our faith.

What about you?  What will you commit for the coming year?  I pray that we will all be faithful, cheerful in our giving, and ever increasing in our support of God's church.  The future is bright!  God has been faithful.  Now it's our turn.

Pastor Greg