It’s January! The first month of 2014, but more importantly, the first month of Zion’s 300th Anniversary year. During this year I’d like to talk about the principles of Stewardship and what better time than January to talk about First Fruits. The idea of First Fruit Giving is that God has given us everything – our lives, our abilities, our well-being – and we should return a portion of those gifts to him with thankful and cheerful hearts (well, this last part will be a separate article). And we don’t give God our leftovers; we give him the best, first returns of our time, our abilities, our resources.
Two months ago we made financial pledges to the church for this new year and many of us chose to increase our 2014 giving by $300 in celebration of our anniversary. This morning I added an additional $300 to my January offering check and I challenge you to do the same. Be a First Fruit Giver. Make one of the first checks you write this year be to Zion and make it your $300 birthday gift.
In addition, January is the time many of us make decisions – resolutions - as to how we will spend our energies during the coming year. We choose to better ourselves through exercise, diet, learning. We vow to spend more time with our families. Again, my challenge to you is to not give the church the dregs of your time and energy. Let your service to God through the church be at the top of your list of priorities this year. When someone asks you to help out, say “yes,” but don’t wait to be asked. Volunteer to work at Faith Kitchen, sing in the choir, teach a VBS class. You know where you are needed! Believe me when I say you will never regret putting God first!
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