Pastoral Perspective
November 2009
You may have heard the story of the South African farmer who sold his farm to enter a long search for diamonds that proved to be futile. After he had taken his own life in frustration, it was discovered that his farm, the one he had sold, was literally covered in acres of diamonds.
A similar true story is told about a gem dealer strolling the aisles at the Tucson Arizona Gem and Mineral Show. Among the many vendors displaying all kinds of stones was one vendor who had a blue-violet stone the size and shape of a potato. The gem dealer, recognizing the stone’s value but not wanting to appear overly eager, calmly asked the vendor, “You want $15 for this?”
Embarrassed because he realized the rock wasn’t as pretty as the others he had on display, the vendor immediately lowered the price to $10 to make the sale.
As it turned out, the potato size stone was certified to be a 1,905 carat natural star sapphire – 800 carats larger than the largest stone of its kind in the world! Its value was put at $2,280,000.
Things are not always what they appear to be!
Which brings us to the topic of our church’s annual Stewardship appeal. Your Gifts to the Lord’s work through our church are always more important than they appear. That is because God sees the value in your gift and is able to magnify it. And when that happens, your gifts send ripples into the world – ripples that increase time and again through every life they touch
In II Corinthians 9 : 11, the Apostle Paul says that when you give “ you will be made rich (enriched) in every way so you can be generous on every occasion, and… your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (New International Version)
So, never underestimate the value and the power of your gifts to God’s work through our church!
As we begin thinking about our financial support of the church’s budget for the year 2010, let us remember that the accomplishment of God’s work is the result of our gifts. It takes money to get the work of God done. When the time comes to fill out a pledge card for 2010, each of us has the opportunity to demonstrate our love for God.
Making a financial commitment to the Lord’s work is an indispensable part of what it means to be a Christian disciple. When your Commitment Card arrives in the mail, please join us in making a financial commitment to help make sure that God’s work through our church continues to get done. Thank you.
Yours in the Love of God,
George - The Pastor George Imhoff
A similar true story is told about a gem dealer strolling the aisles at the Tucson Arizona Gem and Mineral Show. Among the many vendors displaying all kinds of stones was one vendor who had a blue-violet stone the size and shape of a potato. The gem dealer, recognizing the stone’s value but not wanting to appear overly eager, calmly asked the vendor, “You want $15 for this?”
Embarrassed because he realized the rock wasn’t as pretty as the others he had on display, the vendor immediately lowered the price to $10 to make the sale.
As it turned out, the potato size stone was certified to be a 1,905 carat natural star sapphire – 800 carats larger than the largest stone of its kind in the world! Its value was put at $2,280,000.
Things are not always what they appear to be!
Which brings us to the topic of our church’s annual Stewardship appeal. Your Gifts to the Lord’s work through our church are always more important than they appear. That is because God sees the value in your gift and is able to magnify it. And when that happens, your gifts send ripples into the world – ripples that increase time and again through every life they touch
In II Corinthians 9 : 11, the Apostle Paul says that when you give “ you will be made rich (enriched) in every way so you can be generous on every occasion, and… your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (New International Version)
So, never underestimate the value and the power of your gifts to God’s work through our church!
As we begin thinking about our financial support of the church’s budget for the year 2010, let us remember that the accomplishment of God’s work is the result of our gifts. It takes money to get the work of God done. When the time comes to fill out a pledge card for 2010, each of us has the opportunity to demonstrate our love for God.
Making a financial commitment to the Lord’s work is an indispensable part of what it means to be a Christian disciple. When your Commitment Card arrives in the mail, please join us in making a financial commitment to help make sure that God’s work through our church continues to get done. Thank you.
Yours in the Love of God,
George - The Pastor George Imhoff