| DISCOVERY - A PERSONAL CHALLENGE |
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You have a wonderful opportunity...
to participate in a challenging program that will make a difference in the
lives of people for years to come. This church, through its ministries and facilities,
will continue to provide help and hope in the name of Christ. The degree to which
we will be able to do this is dependent on your prayerful response to the financial
challenge.
Every person...
in this congregation is being asked to thoughtfully consider God's will in
his or her life as it relates to God's will for this church. This brief worksheet
is designed to lead you through a process of discovery.
At a later time...
you will be asked to make a three year financial commitment to this church
that is over and above your regular giving. Our prayer will be that, when you
make this commitment, it will come out of a spiritual conviction guided by your
sensitivity to God's leadership.
BEGINNING
THE PROCESS OF DISCOVERY |
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Each person in your church is being asked to begin a journey
that will eventually lead you to make a three year financial commitment to your
campaign. If this pilgrimage is properly conducted, it will require you to make
a number of spiritual and practical decisions. The following worksheet is designed
to help you work toward that destination.
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First... What are some reasons that should motivate you to
give toward this project?
I Kings 5:5; Mark 8:2 3;
Romans 13:7 8;
11 Corinthians 8:11 12
indicate several justifications)
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Second... What attitudes does God like to see demonstrated
in one's giving?
(Exodus 25:1 2, 35:4 5, 20 24, 29;
I Chronicles 29:17;
1 Corinthians 13:3;
11 Corinthians 9:7 reveal some)
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Third... What does it mean to give sacrificially?
(11 Samuel 24:24; 1 Chronicles 21:24;
and Mark 12:41 44 explain how
others have interpreted
"sacrificial giving"
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Fourth... What does a "sacrificial" commitment require
of the giver?
(Romans 12:1 and
11 Corinthians 8:3 5 suggest
several implications)
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Fifth... What would you be willing to do in order to contribute
sacrificially?
(I Chro icles 29:1 3;
Acts 2:44 45, 4:32 37; and
11 Corinthians 8:1 4 describe what
some have done)
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Finally... before determining your commitment, consider praying:
"Lord, what is Your will for my life in this matter as it relates to Your
will for our church at this time? What do You want to do through me as it affects
what You are trying to do through our church?"
As you contemplate your commitment, consider these things:
Sacrifice... |
What does "'SACRIFICE" mean to me?
Your commitment should be built on the theme "Not Equal Gifts but Equal Sacrifice."
Your three year commitment should be a demonstration of your personal definition
of sacrifice. |
Process... |
What am I willing to do or do without?
Seek to translate "SACRIFICE" into a plan of action. |
Amount... |
What kind of commitment will my sacrificial efforts generate during
the next three years? Remember, you will be setting a standard of sacrifice
for others to follow. |
Take a personal inventory. Consider investing from as many
areas as possible:
Income... How much can I budget from income to give?
Time and Talent... What can I do or invest during the next
three years to generate additional income?
Assets... What item of value do I own that I can give to my
church; e.g., real estate, stocks, bonds, personal possessions, etc.
Income Producing Assets... What income could I dedicate from
rental properties, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, interest bearing accounts,
etc.?
Sacrifice... What can I give up, do without, postpone, or
alter in order to give to my church? |
