牧者心聲  Pastor's Message

01/24/2010


      In the late 1800’s, Charles Spurgeon, a famous preacher, received an invitation to come and preach at a small rural church in England to help raise funds to pay off its debt. This would have been perfectly acceptable to Spurgeon, except that the church member who had invited Spurgeon to the church happened to be a very rich man, inviting Spurgeon to use his country house, his town house or his seaside home. Subsequently Spurgeon replied to the man’s invitation by writing, “Sell one of the places and pay the debt yourself."


      Two thousand years ago, Paul wrote about the churches in Macedonia. In 2 Corinthians 8:3 Paul writes these things: “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.” Isn’t this a beautiful picture of the church! We give out of overflowing joy, eagerness, privilege, and generosity, sharing in this service to the saints, as Paul describes their giving.


      Today, just as in Paul’s day, we as the church have another opportunity to give. People of Haiti are in desperate need of supplies and help. Let us, as the church, show those in need the love of Christ. We can do this! Paul writes this about the church in Corinth: “But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8:7)





      Brother John J.