Page 20 - Contact Summer 2020
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Giving It doesn’t mean we will be exempt from all the
sinful e ects of this fallen world. It’s not a give to
get rich scheme. Giving is meant to be a joyful
Like many of you in the midst of this expression of thanks to God from the heart, not
COVID-19 outbreak, I’m incredibly concerned a legalistic obligation. It’s a declaration! Give
about nances – my family nances, the joyfully as an outward expression of an inward
nances of local businesses and the nancial commitment that Jesus is where our trust is
outlook for the national economy. But even so, in rmly rooted in this tumultuous season.
the midst of these scary times, we are watching
beautiful outpourings of generosity - families Each man should give what he has
looking out for their elderly neighbours; decided in his heart to give, not
increased donations to food banks like our very reluctantly or under compulsion, for
own Bob’s Store; people donating and even God loves a cheerful giver.
making masks for front line medical workers. 2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV
It is encouraging to see humans respond to the
needs around them in times of crisis. Just as we have had to do many things
di erently because of the restrictions imposed
During this unprecedented historical moment by Covid-19, so some of our methods of giving
full of countless unknowns, I want to encourage to church have had to change as well. I, as
all of us to continue giving to church. Church is treasurer, set out the options open to you a
not just some other nice charitable organization. couple of weeks ago in the instructions included
Something spiritually unique happens when we with the Easter Contact. However, if you have
give to church, something that goes far beyond any questions or issues, please email me
just helping to pay the salaries of the pastoral directly at treasurer@highkirk.org.uk.
team, ensuring the upkeep of our buildings,
funding youth organisations and various other Methods of giving:
church programmes.
(a) set up a standing order so that your gift
Have you ever taken the time to read the verse goes straight into the church account,
which is printed on the front of your FWO (b) donate via Internet banking on your
envelopes? laptop or smartphone,
(c) post cheques in to church
“On the fi rst day of every week, each (remember to include your FWO number
one of you should set aside a sum of as a reference in all of the above methods,
money in keeping with his income, along with the split between FWO, Mission,
saving it up, so that when I come no Building and Utd Appeal)
collections will have to be made.
1 Corinthians 16:2, NIV (d) drop off your envelopes at church on a
Saturday morning between 10:00 and 12:00.
Notice that the o ering was set aside on the rst
day of the week. When we are willing to o er the May God continue to bless each one of us as we
rst portion of our wealth back to God, then God long for the time we can meet together again.
knows he has our hearts. Each time we get paid
– no matter what the amount is – when we give “Bring the whole tithe into the
storehouse, that there may be food in
the “ rst fruits” of that income to God through
our local church, we are making a tangible my house. Test me in this,” says the
Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not
declaration that God is our ultimate provider
and the foundation of our trust. When we give throw open the fl oodgates of heaven
and pour out so much blessing that
the rst portion of whatever we make to church,
we are declaring boldly that no matter what is there will not be room enough to store
it. Then all the nations will call you
going on around us, our ultimate hope and trust
is rooted in Christ. No matter what happens, we blessed, for yours will be a delightful
are under the shadow of His wings. In this time land,” says the Lord Almighty.
Malachi 3:10,12
of uncharted nancial waters, let us encourage
each other to keep giving to church. It’s not a
magic wand to keep us in God’s good books.
Adrian Pogue