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“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34
How many of us remember that all we have is a gift from God? If we say our faith is in God, it should be in God (God’s giving) and not in the things of this earth (getting). As we grow in our faith, we need to get to the point where our focus isn’t on the getting, but on God’s giving. Every time we’re blessed – through a paycheck, a gift of some sort, or a surprise – do we take time to realize that it all comes from God?
My great grandparents lived in the hills of rural North Carolina. The only job my great grandfather could find was working 3rd shift at a textile factory. He brought home $10/week, which didn’t go very far in the mid 1930’s while raising a few children. He continually struggled to make ends meet, so he handed the financial books over to my great grandmother.
They weren’t always Christians. In fact, my great grandmother started learning about Jesus through God’s word when she was invited to a Bible study as an adult. She learned about God’s faithfulness, our being thankful for what God has given us, and giving back to God out of thanks. So, as soon as she took control of the family finances she told her husband that they wouldn’t be living off of $10/week, but $9/week. Their first payment each and every week was going to be given back to God.
Like so many other tithers, my great grandparents were blessed for the rest of their lives. They never had a whole lot, but they also never had to worry – just like Jesus told us!
Our giving is a reflection of our relationship with God. Our giving isn’t about the administrative assistant’s salary, the church bills, the church insurance, or the pastor’s salary. It’s all about our relationship with God. Each and every day, I believe Jesus would ask us, “Where does your treasure lie? Where is the place you want to be most?”
-Pastor Josh Pegram, Ash Creek & Willow Valley UMC’s