In Proverbs 3:9-10 we read, “ Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” In the New Testament the same idea is conveyed in Luke 6:38 when Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

At South Cobb we have not preached a great deal about giving, because we have always believed that if a person’s heart was right with the Lord, he or she will give accordingly. We are convinced that if a person first gives themselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5) that the Lord will then get everything else that the person has and owns.

Perhaps, however, we were wrong in not preaching about this, as this is a Bible subject that we all need to be reminded of from time to time (1 Timothy 4:6). Satan has used wealth, money and things to detract from the message of the cross, and uses the same today to cause some to be choked away from the word and lose their souls (Matthew 13:22). He has encouraged us daily, hourly, by the minute that we need what is newer, better, and improved, so we go get what we think we need, just to have to work that much harder to pay back to the creditors. It becomes a vicious cycle.

And, unfortunately, the Lord’s work suffers. Money and time that we could and should spend for the Lord is now having to be spent to repay the debts we owe. Some fail to take the Lord’s off first, and give Him what He is due. As a result, mission works suffer, and other works are not done because we don’t have the money.

It is my prayer that we think about these things, and realize that the greatest work in the world is still ongoing and still in need of our support. One person wrote this, and I hope it will encourage all of us to realize what a major part we play in the work of the Lord.

“The elders of this congregation announce their decision to stop making requests for money to conduct the affairs of the church. Beginning next week, there will be no mention of money from the pulpit, in the bulletin, in the classes or in the announcements. We will not even embarrass people by passing the collection plates on Sunday. If you have to give something, you may slip around and give it to the treasurer after services. From now on, there will be no more talk of money.

“Just one more thing, however. Starting next week, try to bring your own chair to sit in because we are selling the pews to save on funrniture wax. Also bring an extra coat in case the weather turns cold (or a hand fan in case it turns hot) since the heat (or cooling) will be turned off to save money. Do try to pick up a songbook somewhere.
And if you plan to come at night, bring a lantern or a candle so it will not be necessary to use electricity.

“Some of the men should begin preparing a few sermons, some wedding ceremonies and funeral talks so that preacher can go on a long, unpaid vacation. Everyone is also advised to bring a bucket of water in case of a baptism as we are turning off the water supply.

“Remember this little journey into “never-never land” the next time we are tempted to voice a complaint about preaching on what the Bible says about giving, or being exhorted to meet the needs of the church financially.”