Local Church Budget
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AUTHOR: Angel J. Rodriguez
A New York church school fell behind on their payments to the conference. The conference had to set a deadline. “We can only give you three more months. If you are not current by March first, we cannot reopen the school in September.”
The church and school board had an emergency meeting. “What can we do?” they asked each other. “We owe $20,000. It’s almost the first of December.”
“We could have a bake sale.”
“We could have a garage sale.”
“Maybe the students could sell Christmas candles.” But none of these ideas, nor even all these ideas together, would raise enough.
Finally, one member suggested, “What if we agree to pledge all unexpected money for the next three months? Perhaps God will send the money.”
Every Sabbath, the head elder took a couple of minutes to ask, “Has anyone gotten any unexpected money to donate to the church school debt?” The funds and ideas began to build. Unexpected Christmas gift? $250. Year-end bonus larger than usual? $100. A forgotten refund? $14.50. A tax rebate? $1,200. Large and small, the gifts continued.
The treasurer kept careful records but did not announce the exact amount until March first. The total of the unexpected money donated to the school debt equaled $20,000!
Today, as we give to the church budget, let us remember how God blesses those who will trust God in their giving. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7