Church & Money

Some people dread the time of year when churches start a "giving campaign"...this has never really bothered me. Today at church, I heard a great approach to this topic. It wasn't in your face, or guilt driven...rather is was based from Acts 4 and talked about the church's roll in community. The church is meant to help those in need, but that is assuming that the people of the church give and contribute the way they are supposed to. I truly feel our church here in Memphis is on the right track. It's heart and mission are solid...we are getting close to building a building, but the main goal is to use it to train others and prepare them for the mission field, whether locally or globally.
On another similar note, I was told this week that my church home in Alabama was struggling financially. I am not sure if this is true or not, but if so, it breaks my heart. Who is to blame if so, probably two parties. The building they built is super nice...but is it all necessary? Of course you could ask that, so who knows...maybe they over did it financially. On the other hand, you have the church body that provides for the church. Are those people in that church community pulling their weight and doing their part? It makes me sad, because the people there are good...but supposedly they are in a bind.
So that brings me to the conclusion...why don't people give like they should? One thing I loved about the first church I got involved here in Memphis was the way they celebrated the offering at church..."God loves a cheerful giver", so we always clapped when that time of church came along. It was and is a great way to look at church...but more than that, it isn't just about giving to a church, but to God. After all, God gives us all abilities or gifts...which allows us to work and make money...which means that it is His money anyway. God gives and He takes away, so who are we told hold on to it? I am not saying don't save and be smart, but always keep in mind that it is God's money!