Monday, September 28, 2009

First Fruits

I received a letter from one of our small membership churches. They are giving the offering received on the first Sunday of the month for conference apportionments and missions. The treasurer explains “it is our belief that this apportionment is part of the tithing that God requires of the local church. “ This church is also engaged in service to help the poor in the community. They have a food and clothing closet and the pastor offers a Bible study while people’s food orders are being boxed and bagged.

This church reports that at the end of the month they have enough money to pay all of their bills. They have never bounced a check. Malachi 3:7-12 explains how this works. “’Test me in this’” says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’”

Take up the “First Fruits” challenge and test it for yourself. Jesus said “give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38


- Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

No comments:

Post a Comment