Tuesday; April 17

Right about this time each year I have to have a little talk with myself.  Since I typically have to “pay in” on my tax responsibilities, I am not one of the ones who files their taxes any earlier than necessary.  Hey if the mid-April deadline is good enough for them, it is good enough for me.  Sometime around April 15 each year I have to remind myself how I benefit from paying taxes.  When I look at the amount I pay, I have to stop and think about where my money goes.  No, I don’t crack open the federal budget, but I do look around and see the value I get for what I pay.  Not only do I receive benefits such as infrastructure, protection and security, but a portion of what I pay helps others.  In a sense, by paying taxes I can do a little good for the people around me who can’t do it on their own.
As I thought about this, I got to thinking about my contribution to the church.  Sure, I realize the Christian obligation that comes with Paul’s message to the Corinthian church , “On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” (I Corinthians 16:2), but that also leads me to understanding the concept of taking up a congregational offering.  Not only do our gifts provide a place for me and my family to worship, these donations also help fund opportunities for missions and ministries.  The money I give helps others who have spiritual and physical needs.  When we all demonstrate a spirit of generosity we ease the burden others are feeling.
Let’s be thankful we have income that can be taxed.  Let’s also thank God that we have the ability to give – both directly and as a part of a local congregation.
Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; November 29

The biblical story of the Good Samaritan has changed our world. Notice I didn’t say that it had change religion or even Christianity, it has influenced the world. There are very few people who don’t know the moral of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. In fact, the phrase has become a common description of everyday people doing good to their neighbors. While Jesus’ parable from Luke 10 shares several spiritual lessons, one of the most practical is that good can be done by anyone. You don’t have to be a church official to do good, it is not only possible for each one of us to help, it is required of all of us. If a Samaritan can be good, so can we! After presenting the parable, Jesus asked the man who had originally asked the question about being a good neighbor which character in the story was a good neighbor, “… he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’” at which point, the discussion from theoretical to personal, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” (Luke
Read more

Thursday; January 12

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements
Read more

Monday; September 25

When I was a youngster, I remember hearing about this thing called the Generation Gap. I was a little bit too young to be active in the social movements of the 1960s, but I do remember listening to the challenges the generations were experiencing way back then. Interestingly, now that I have been on both sides of the aging process, I have to admit that the Gap of the 1960s was nothing new. With the development of each generation comes conflict. The young people don’t feel like the older people understand them and the older folks tend to believe their input is being underappreciated. Too often trust is the casualty when two generations collide. The sad thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. When we can capture the innovation and energy of the younger folks and harness the wisdom of those who have been around for a while we can develop a winning combination. No, we won’t always see things eye-to-eye nor will we necessarily speak the same emotional language, but when we app
Read more