Wednesday in the Word
God is a Wise Investor!
Right after I became pastor here in Bettendorf, I figured out the churches finances needed some work. Part of my plan to restructure the finances of the church was to refinance at a lower interest rate than we had. I knew we could do better, and we did. But during the process, the banker wanted to meet with me. I went to his office to talk turkey. I sat there as he perused over some documents in a manila file folder. He put down the folder and looked over the desk at me.
"You know" he said as he sat back in his chair, "we are going to need you to sign as the guarantor on this mortgage." I had not planned on tying my credit record to the church. But, in order to get the loan, that is exactly what I had to do.
In explaining the necessity of this action, the banker made a fascinating statement. He said, "For financial purposes, your church is a business. You are the chief operating officer of this fledgling business. Why should I as a banker be willing to invest in your venture if you are not willing to put your own buck on the line?"
As our church goes through another refinancing this month, I thought about that conversation with my banker. I though of the verse over in Luke 19.
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Lu 19:21, 22
Can we assume that God is not a wiser Investor than my banker? We want God to do great things in our home, our job, our church. But when it comes down to it, are we willing to invest our time, our talent and our treasure in the things that matter to Him. Its not about getting God involved in our work, it is about getting ourselves involved in His.
Is God willing to answer miraculous prayers, multiply great provision and trust us with the true riches of His Kingdom if we are not willing to put our own buck on the line?
Just a thought. Thank you for reading.
Right after I became pastor here in Bettendorf, I figured out the churches finances needed some work. Part of my plan to restructure the finances of the church was to refinance at a lower interest rate than we had. I knew we could do better, and we did. But during the process, the banker wanted to meet with me. I went to his office to talk turkey. I sat there as he perused over some documents in a manila file folder. He put down the folder and looked over the desk at me.
"You know" he said as he sat back in his chair, "we are going to need you to sign as the guarantor on this mortgage." I had not planned on tying my credit record to the church. But, in order to get the loan, that is exactly what I had to do.
In explaining the necessity of this action, the banker made a fascinating statement. He said, "For financial purposes, your church is a business. You are the chief operating officer of this fledgling business. Why should I as a banker be willing to invest in your venture if you are not willing to put your own buck on the line?"
As our church goes through another refinancing this month, I thought about that conversation with my banker. I though of the verse over in Luke 19.
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Lu 19:21, 22
Can we assume that God is not a wiser Investor than my banker? We want God to do great things in our home, our job, our church. But when it comes down to it, are we willing to invest our time, our talent and our treasure in the things that matter to Him. Its not about getting God involved in our work, it is about getting ourselves involved in His.
Is God willing to answer miraculous prayers, multiply great provision and trust us with the true riches of His Kingdom if we are not willing to put our own buck on the line?
Just a thought. Thank you for reading.
How can we ask our people to do more than we ourselves will not do? Good thought
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