From the Pastor’s Pen – October 2008

Our nation is focused on a financial crisis and what to do. How this is handled will affect just about everyone in one way or another. I want to share some truths in relationship to what has happened and what our response as Christians should be. First, why has this crisis come about? We know that God’s providentially executes all things (“God…in his infinite power and wisdom, doth uphold, direct, dispose, & govern all creatures & things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise & holy providence”) we also know that God uses means to bring about His purpose. Sinful man is the culprit. As some have rightly stated, greed is the reason for this crisis. I do not have to tell you that we live in a day filled with greedy people. But this is not new people have been greedy from the very beginning. One of the reasons Cain killed Abel was due to the greed in his heart. This is a sin that all people are face with, Christians included. Many Christian ministries, pastors, families have been destroyed due to this sin. As Proverbs 15:27 states: “He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house” Look at what Paul states 1Timothy 3:8 “Likewise must the deacons be…not greedy of filthy lucre”. Why is this so important? Because a greedy person would withhold from those who are in need and instead make use of money for their own advantage. This is what has happen in our nation; some have taken advantage of the laws so that they could get richer. They are the very ones crying out the loudest that we should be giving more to the poor. They are like the one who rebuked Mary for pouring the expensive oil on Jesus, “why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii & given to the poor”. They act as though they care for the poor but in reality they only care about themselves. Greed is a great sin and we must put it off as Christians. It is so easy to get caught up in this sin and even try to justify such. Heed the warning of Paul, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, & pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Second, We as Christians must be ready to help those who are in need. This means that we must seek to be debt free. Credit cards have caused a majority of Americans to be under great financial stress. People brought things that could not afford & now they are overcome with debt. If we as Christians are going to be able to help others financially we must have money available to do this. This means we must be disciplined with our money, buy only those things that we absolutely need. We are to be good stewards of what God has given us. As Christians we should always realize that the money we have is God’s money & He has given it to us to use for His glory. It is sad that many Christians don’t even tithe; one poll stated that only 5% of the adults tithe. Why? Most state that they cannot afford to, but the truth is that we cannot afford not to tithe. As I have often stated, the tithe is the starting point. A Christian must have a heart like Zacchaeus. What a great opportunity we as Christian have before us to minister to the poor and needy. What an opportunity we have to be like Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us not miss out on this great opportunity to be Christ like to both minister & proclaim the glory gospel.

Pastor Thomas Winn