Emphasis Preaching Journal

Pastor Smith received an interesting phone call from a member of his church. The church was in the midst of raising money to build new Sunday school rooms. This particular man was calling because he wanted to make a gift to the church to help out this cause. But wanting to make sure his investment would pay off, he wanted to know that if something were to happen to him or his wife, the church would bury them. "We aren't very involved," he confessed to the pastor, "but we want to support the church now so it will support us later."

The pastor assured the man that the church would be there for him and his wife when the time came. He went on to say that even if they didn't make a gift to the church, they would not be turned away. Good stewardship, understood correctly, teaches that support is given to the church so that it can minister to the needs of the community and the world. Church members don't just "pay" so that they can be the recipients of ministry. It is true that the church needs funds to be about its business, but it is also true that ministry is offered without price.

Paul was a tentmaker. When he visited the Thessalonians, he labored day and night in his craft in order to provide for his needs and the needs of the young church, so that he and the gospel would not be a burden upon them. Paul wanted to make sure that the gospel was offered free of charge to those who were willing to listen. The saints of the church understand the need to support the church generously so that the gospel will always be free to all.