Pastor Steve's Message cont.
But the article also noted that these donations and pledges represented mere “drops in the bucket” of Bezos’ estimated $163 Billion net worth. Moreover, the article noted that Bezos’ $2 billion pledge (less than 1.25% of his net worth) came only after receiving “strong pressure” from the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg. Their question to Bezos: “How much does one have to have before they can decide to be really generous?”
For us in the Church of Jesus Christ, we already have that answer. The Apostle Paul reminds us, in Ephesians 1:3, that God, our Father, “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” In his letter to the Colossians, Paul declares that, ‘In Christ, we not only behold the fullness of God, we are brought to fullness.” In Christ we have the forgiveness of sins; reconciliation with the Father and with creation; New Life; Eternal Life; Every Spiritual Blessing…and so much more.
How are we to respond? We are to continue to live our lives in Christ. We are to be rooted and built up in Christ (DEEP and WIDE!!!). We are to find our strength in living out our faith. And we are to be overflowing in thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)
As Thanksgiving approaches, and our 2019 Stewardship Campaign wraps up (we already have more than $200,000 in pledges towards our 2019 budget and mortgage needs), please join us in regularly praying this simple prayer: “Thank you, Good Father, for My Time, My Talent, and My Treasure. Lord, help me to recognize all that I am and all that I have is a gift from you. Help me to be thankful. And help me to steward every good gift well…for your glory and your Kingdom purposes. Amen.”
* If you have not yet returned your 2019 Every Member Commitment Stewardship Campaign pledge sheet, we hope that you will be able to do so soon. If you have not received the 2019 Stewardship Campaign Binder (from your neighborhood group) or a pledge card in the mail, feel free to contact the church office. We will get pledge information (that includes both service opportunities and the opportunity to make a financial pledge to Prospect in 2019) to you.
To God Be The Glory,
For us in the Church of Jesus Christ, we already have that answer. The Apostle Paul reminds us, in Ephesians 1:3, that God, our Father, “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” In his letter to the Colossians, Paul declares that, ‘In Christ, we not only behold the fullness of God, we are brought to fullness.” In Christ we have the forgiveness of sins; reconciliation with the Father and with creation; New Life; Eternal Life; Every Spiritual Blessing…and so much more.
How are we to respond? We are to continue to live our lives in Christ. We are to be rooted and built up in Christ (DEEP and WIDE!!!). We are to find our strength in living out our faith. And we are to be overflowing in thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)
As Thanksgiving approaches, and our 2019 Stewardship Campaign wraps up (we already have more than $200,000 in pledges towards our 2019 budget and mortgage needs), please join us in regularly praying this simple prayer: “Thank you, Good Father, for My Time, My Talent, and My Treasure. Lord, help me to recognize all that I am and all that I have is a gift from you. Help me to be thankful. And help me to steward every good gift well…for your glory and your Kingdom purposes. Amen.”
* If you have not yet returned your 2019 Every Member Commitment Stewardship Campaign pledge sheet, we hope that you will be able to do so soon. If you have not received the 2019 Stewardship Campaign Binder (from your neighborhood group) or a pledge card in the mail, feel free to contact the church office. We will get pledge information (that includes both service opportunities and the opportunity to make a financial pledge to Prospect in 2019) to you.
To God Be The Glory,
<><, Pastor Steve
P.S. I still wouldn't mind having $2 billion to give away!
P.S. I still wouldn't mind having $2 billion to give away!
