"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU...." (Hebrews 13:5, NASB)
Probably many who saw the title hit the "delete" button; "He just wants my money." Regardless, I noticed in this text from a few days ago that our Lord Jesus is speaking to His Followers here, not the world, when He says to be, "....content with what you have...." Increasingly, more and more in the Church are not.
The statistic are clear. Each generation of Americans, from the Second War generation to today's, have seen not only a steady decrease in "Church attendance," but also a significant decrease in giving. If people are not content with what they have, then they have to do anything and everything they can to enable them to get more, even as Malachi says, "....rob God."
We were visiting with one of our regular monthly supporters not long ago, and realized that all of our contributions come from people over 60; most are over 70. There could be a number of reasons for this, but as I have shared before, if this steady decrease in giving continues in the Body of Christ, and the Lord "tarries," the Biblical reference to, "a remnant," will be more than just an oft quoted Bible verse. This will effect everything from local Church services to missions.
Jesus does and will have His Church. The Church is founded, "upon This Rock"; ergo, is just as our Head, "from everlasting to everlasting." The number of those who declare their love and worship, etc., of the Living Triune God and are giving less and less to Jesus' Church is growing exponentially. I pray that you and I never be "in that number."
Father, in Jesus' Name, "keep me near the Cross." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
