Chest of Joash

“Money is everything”

For many people, “money is everything” is more than a statement; it is a fundamental belief. To most folks in today’s world, money is everything. We work hard to amass money in order to acquire those things we most desire. Consider that our parents paid less for houses than what some of us now pay for automobiles!

The modern world is not the only segment of history that has struggled with the implications of money. The implication of making money, the most important segment of our lives, was as real in the days of Jesus as it is today.

In Matthew 19, we read of a young man who came to Jesus seeking the kingdom of God. This young man had high standards for conduct and good moral character – he was good man. Nevertheless, in his discussion with Jesus, our Lord went to the heart of the matter. Jesus called him to sell all he had, give it to the poor and follow Him. “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he owned much property” (vs.22). This young man made the fatal mistake of allowing his money to rule him instead of him ruling it.

In our church, we are now faced with a similar decision. The Lord’s grace to us has been evident; we have truly been blessed beyond measure. But over the last several months, the global economic challenge has come to First Baptist Church Holly Springs and our budget is being stretched.

It is such a tragedy that many who call themselves followers of Christ will, for want of simple obedience in the area of money, spend their lives never having the opportunity to be a participant in an endeavor as meaningful and great as that which is now taking place at First Baptist Church Holly Springs. Just as the young man Jesus called to follow Him in Matthew 19, we are invited to engage the kingdom of God. What will be our response? Will those who come behind us find us faithful to the task? It would be to our shame for the next generation of believers in Holly Springs to look back at us with regret and realize that many were more controlled by that which was in our checking accounts than by that which should have been in our hearts.

God has placed before the people of FBCHS an incredible open door. The staff that God has placed to serve this church is of a caliber of which I have never been a part and it is an incredible blessing to serve alongside this wonderful group of men and women of God. Within each of their hearts, God has placed a vision similar to that God has given your pastor. That vision is to reach men, women, boys and girls for Jesus through new and innovative ministries as well as current ministries of which we are already involved is breathtaking. Nevertheless, in order to continue to grow our existing ministries as well as expand to new ministries each one of us must be involved in the process.

You may be asking yourself the question: “Pastor, this sounds exiting but how do I become a part of the journey?” As your pastor, I want to challenge you to make a spiritual and tangible commitment. This commitment is not between yourself and the church; rather it is a commitment between you and God.

Beginning Sunday, March 28 and continuing through the month of April, we as a church will have an opportunity to focus our prayers and our actions on obedience to the call of God in our finances.

As we prepare for this season, you will want to ask the Lord to give you wisdom, direction and obedience through one or more of the following ways:

1. If you are not currently a consistent, Biblical tither, commit to God, by His grace, to begin being obedient in this area starting now. This is the first step of obedience regarding our personal finances. (The tithe is a tenth of your individual, total gross income. See Malachi 3:10)

2. If you are already a consistent Biblical tither, commit to God, by His grace, to continue to give the tenth and possibly commit to give over and above the tithe (an offering).

3. In addition to being a consistent Biblical tither, you wish to give a one-time gift of whatever the Lord directs you to give in order that the ministries and the organizations of First Baptist church might continue to expand.

Below is a picture of our commitment card we will be using. As your pastor, I would ask that after much prayer, you would come to worship prepared to fill out this card and place it in the “Chest of Joash” (taken from the Biblical account in 2 Chronicles 24:4-13) at the appropriate time during the morning worship services.

On Sunday May 2, during our morning worship service, we will have a praise report as to the number of commitments made and the total amount of the one-time gifts. We ask that you do not put your name on these cards – again this is a commitment between you and God.

God bless you as you seek the Lord and I pray His blessing on you for your obedience. I sincerely pray these days will bring about blessings in your life and the life of this church.