Last week, an important packet came in the mail to my wife and me from our church, Earle Street in Greenville. It contained a copy of the 2009 budget approved by the congregation and commitment cards to be returned during our annual “pledge walk” as part of the worship service.
Don KirklandAlso in the packet was a letter from Earle Street’s pastor of the past 21 years, Jim Wooten, who noted at the outset that 2009, like every other new year, “brings its own unique challenges and opportunities.”
He called attention to an approved budget that “seeks to balance the fact of the uncertain economy with the greater promise that God will bless our efforts at faithful stewardship — both individually and as a church — even in the midst of trying times.”
He wrote that Malachi 3:10 “affirms that promise and issues the challenge that is before us” to “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there might be food in my house, and test me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
He continued, “Always, but especially in uncertain times, good stewardship is a test of our faith and and our commitment. In every time and in every circumstance, God is certain and God is faithful. Our financial support of His church and His kingdom purposes must demonstrate that we believe that truth — with each one giving proportionally as God has blessed him or her.”
He pointed to the role that Earle Street plays in the lives of members and in the surrounding community through its varied ministries, adding, “And through your tithes and offerings, its influence reaches our state and country and to the uttermost parts of the world.”
“I challenge you,” he concluded in a final message to the congregation before he leaves to assume new work as pastor of The Baptist Church of Beaufort, “to support your church more faithfully than you ever have before — in your prayers, your attendance, your participation, and in your giving. It’s biblical. It’s important. It’s right. It’s worthwhile.”
I am confident that Jim does not mind my sharing with Courier readers a portion of the pastoral letter he sent to the faithful flock that he has preached to, prayed over and served in a multitude of ways for more than two decades.
The biblical challenge for faithfulness in our stewardship at all times — and sometimes in spite of the times — is both timely and timeless, and it applies equally to the congregation that gathers on Earle Street and the fellowship that meets on your street.