Giving...

Something came to mind a couple of days ago about what is really important. What do I really strive for.
My husband and I have been looking for a new home church on our side of town. We have been serving extensively in a church of over 500 for 14 years that is 40 minutes away and it's time to get our kids more involved closer to home.

On our quest, we attended three diffenent churches that have strong children's programs and came out with three different perspectives on worship and youth ministry. The first church is brand new 1 1/2 years ago and has a coffee bar, bookstore and computerized childrens area and three services (to serve all ages) and a gymnasium etc. All very, very nice and appealing to the seeker. The kids remembered the story they heard - great!

The next church was large and established and has a huge awana program and it's own basketball league for kids 5 and up! Everything computerized too. Very appealing on the inside and outside. Kids sat with us because they had no sunday school.

The third church was huge also. It was brand new building made of cement blocks and corrugated siding painted on the outside and cement floors and padded chairs in the sancturary that transformed into a gym on the off days. The children's area was very appealing to the kids in a large room that used to be the sanctuary. Not as appealing to the seeker on the outside.

I am really going somewhere with all this. Looks aren't everything! The most important element we want is to hear and we want our kids to hear consistent truthful messages that challenge us all week long, educate and remind us of the saving power of Jesus Christ and welcome new people into their congregation from all walks of life. We didn't find that in the first two churches as much as the third.

We truly felt God directing our steps when we heard the pastor of the third church give a very challanging message in only a few words. After he was done giving a rundown of his missions trip, he gave a plug for newcomers. He said "You may visit other churches and find latte bars and book stores and brick and stone outside, and when you come here you find only what we need. He said "My first priority is to see that the church's finances are spent on spreading the word of God to all cornes of the earth! The money we would spend on brick and mortar could be used in other places. WOW! That was it the clincher! We have found our new church! He did say there is nothing wrong with latte bars and bookstores, but make sure you can give to those in need first!

How much do I really need? I want $800 new rugs for my kitchen on a $300 budget. To go a step further, I can live with the rugs I found for $150 and give the rest away. Rugs are rugs, the hearts of the lost are so much more important! Who cares about what I think I want. God gave me one most important job and that is to tell others about Him!! I want to be a good steward of what God has given me and that doesn't mean I have to buy cheap stuff, I just have to be wiser in my choices. My heart is happier than ever giving things away rather than feeling the softness of expensive rugs under my feet!

True joy comes from giving to others when they need it the most. God bless