Years ago, I remember a story of a woman who was of meagre means but still tithed, and then some, to the church. When the doors were open, she was there, when help was needed, she was the first to raise her hand. Her husband had passed years before and had left her enough to cover the bills for years, but she still had to pinch pennies to make sure there was enough to make her commitments when the payments came due. The only items of true wealth she had, besides the home, was a silver tea setting inherited from her mother and her wedding band, which she wore in remembrance of the love of her life.
Now, the church was in rather a tough spot and was in need of some extra funds to cover a rather major expense so the preacher, at the request of the elders, went out to the congregation asking for whatever they could afford to build up the church. After some time and a couple cups of tea, the pastor walked out the door with the silver tea service, washed of course, and a wedding band. The pastor did not feel right about what he had done, but the deed was done, and the perceived crisis was averted. It was not long afterwards that she left the church, moved away to relatives and never darkened the doors of a church again. Her thought was that if one church could be so uncaring, they must all be that way.
There are so many things wrong with this in my mind, the church is not the building, the fellowship is the church, and we must do everything in our power to build up the fellowship and not tear it down. Secondly, the building is only temporary, the fellowship is forever, it flourishes on earth and will become perfect in Glory. For years, I have questioned the rationale of some of the practices in religion and wonder “what would Jesus think?” The time has come to re-prioritise our faith lives. Jesus did not say “go out and make more church buildings”, He said “go out and make disciples”. We need to remember that basic fact and not adapt the Message for personal gain or for the glorification of the temporary. Our eternal reward is in Glory, and the more that show up, the merrier it will be.
Pastor Todd is going to dig a bit deeper into some of personal preferences that have no Biblical foundation. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
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