This weekend we  continue a focus on what it means to wholeheartedly love as God would have us love in today’s world. We look deeper at 1 John 2:15-16 as Pastor Gina continues to preach on “Loving What God Loves.

Today’s text speaks of pride in our riches. Jesus spoke about the evils of money, as well as about the gift of giving generously very often. Many believe that we hear the story of the loaves and fishes in all four Gospels because Jesus wanted to show us how he can multiply and bless with our humble gifts. He knew that our giving practices, our regular generosity, could be a means of great blessing.

 In the fall of 2019, our Generosity Team working with the Finance Committee, shared as part of our fall pledge season that they would challenge the church to tithe for 90-days beginning with the upcoming season of Lent in hopes that we as a community of faith could learn more fully the blessing of being faithfully generous.  Lent begins this Wednesday, February 26^th. What would it mean if you changed you giving practices during this Season? It takes about 90-days to form a real habit.  What if you formed the habit of putting God first in your finances and in the whole of your life? This takes courage and faith, but God has bondless measures of both to unleash when we reach to the power of the Holy Spirit.
Please begin praying about this “challenge.”  Our pastors will provide supportive resources as we journey into the season of giving faithfully to advance God’s work in the world.

Here’s a helpful UMC resource link to consider giving generously with a tithe: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/tithing-from-hesitant-to-joyful-giving