Good Monday Morning Cedar Grove!

I want to go ahead and thank you for your generosity yesterday for our Vision Sunday Offering. I have had many people let me know that they are going to give this week and this coming Sunday. For this reason, I will not announce a total until then. I do believe we are going to crush our goal of $15,000. Praise the Lord!

I want to remind you of the three points from yesterday's message. We looked at the principle, purpose and people of giving. The principle of givingis that we give out of a generous and cheerful heart. There is no room for arguing about percentage or amount. The question we must ask ourselves is "does our giving match our blessing?" The purpose of giving may be different than what we have been taught in the modern church. We give for the sake of each other. Our generosity serves to build up the church family. Does this affect those who are lost? Of course it does! The more generous we are with each other the more we show of the grace of the Gospel. So, the question for this one is "why do you give?" Is it for the benefit of your fellow saints? Or, is it simply to feel better about yourself? The last point was the people of giving. Lydia was a wealthy and successful businesswoman who used her material possessions and financials for the glory of God first. Could you imagine this at Cedar Grove? The question here is "for who am I building wealth in this life?

Church, this is not trivial, it is spiritual and important to the building of God's kingdom. Let's not forget why we are the church. God gave us everything. He gave us His very best. He gave us His only begotten Son. He did this so we could have our greatest needs met! May we reflect this by a generous and cheerful heart of giving for others as well.

I love you Cedar Grove. I look forward to gathering again soon! Happy in the Lord, amen. Buh-bye.

Pastor Jacob