The Power of Giving: Giving Unites Us

Several years ago, I was getting ready to attend a musical concert at the church where I served as pastor; I and many others were really looking forward to it, as we got a famous guitarist to come and perform, along with his band.  It was going to be a great night!  Unfortunately, our older building had other plans….

           

About an hour before the concert started, I got a call from our custodian; our sewer line had blocked up, and our basement was filling with sewage!  I thought about canceling the concert, but I knew that many would be disappointed, so I made an executive decision:  I would call a group of men in the congregation to help me did up and repair the pipe in the dark while the concert was going on in our main building!  I was able to get 8 or 9 men to agree to bring their picks and shovels and help me repair, and we would start just as soon as we could; hopefully, we would be finished before too late in the evening, and the building would be ready for our services the following day.  (It was, of course, Saturday night!)

           

We arrived just before dusk, and it was apparent, as we began to process of finding the stoppage in the pipe, that darkness was coming soon.  We decided to circle our pickups around the site and dig by the light of our headlights.  We moved our trucks and began to dig.  At first, there were complaints and a few grumbles. Then something happened – people started telling stories of similar problems in their homes, a few sewer-related jokes were told, and we all began talking and laughing – we were having a good time!  We dug a large hole, tore out, and replaced a section of the old pipe leading to our septic system (a rural site). Before 10:30 p.m. or so, we were filling in the hole and ended up standing around for a few minutes, talking about the good times we'd had working together.  I thanked them all for their gifts of time, energy, and hard work, led them in a short prayer of thanksgiving, and we all went home,  tired and dirty, to be sure, but affirmed in our faith and in the task we'd done for God's church.  To this day, it is still one of my fonder memories of ministry!

           

The reason the event meant so much to me and the others there that night was that we were united – we didn't fuss over church business or politics, and the personality differences that often messed up our fellowship were simply ignored – the task at hand, and the demonstration of faith that those men made that night, united us in a way that we talked about for some time.  One man, who seldom said anything positive, even commented, "This is one of the best times I've had at church in a long time."  We all laughed out loud when he said that!

           

The story expresses the idea that when people give up their time, money, or efforts, they are stronger as a group, they can get things done, and their relationships are better.  Giving makes us better!

           

This is a very scriptural lesson when you think about it.  In his first letter, John wrote a sentence he repeated twice:  "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." I John 4:11  Later, he wrote, "We love because He first loved us."  I John 4:19, God's love for us was best expressed through the gift of his son, Jesus!  He came and lived and sacrificed his life for us all, that he might save us from sin and give us eternal life.  Based on that gift, God desired that we follow His lead and love each other.  In other words, because we had received the greatest gift from God, He wanted us to 'return the favor' by loving others.  God loved, and so He gave, and He wants us to do the same!

           

Let me encourage you to receive the gift of life God has offered in his son, Jesus.  And, as an act of faith and obedience, give a gift of love, help, and service to others.  Giving will make you better!

 

Your support is invaluable in spreading the message of our ministry. By sharing our podcasts with your friends and family, you play a significant role in building a community of believers who find strength in our shared faith. We sincerely appreciate your contributions and urge you to inspire others to join us in this mission. Your involvement is significant and integral to our ministry's success, helping to keep our community connected and thriving.

 

Your financial contributions are the backbone of our ministry. They enable us to run outreach programs, maintain our facilities, and provide resources for our community. Your generosity is a testament to your commitment to our mission, and we deeply value your role in making this ministry a reality. Your contributions are used with transparency and accountability, making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. You can contribute here https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

 

To stay updated on all things FBC, download our App here: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/. These platforms are not just for information but also engagement. They are a great way to connect with our community, support our mission, and be part of our journey.

 

Thank you for your continued support and involvement. We look forward to continuing this journey with you as an integral part of our ministry. See you next week!