Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

What Does Jesus Do During the Offering Time?
by Tom Goodman
November 30, 2010

Join Us for These Special Christmas Events

Kids' Music Theater presents "Back to the Manger"
Sunday Evening, December 12, 6:00 p.m.

The Adult Worship Choir presents "Journey of Faith"
Sunday Morning, December 19, 10:00 a.m.

Christmas Eve Service
Friday Evening, December 24, 6:00 p.m.

What do you do during the offering time?

Every Sunday we have a time in our service where offering plates are passed. During that time, some of us pray. Some of us write out a last-minute check before the plate gets to us. Some of us listen carefully to the music being performed during the offering time. Some of us doodle artwork on the bulletin or send texts on our phones.

But what does Jesus do during the offering time? In Mark 12, we find a story that can help us understand that. There we find him carefully observing the giving habits of worshippers. In the end, only one impressed him, and he honored her.

God says he will honor us as we honor him (1 Samuel 2:30), and one way we honor him is through our offerings. This Sunday, we'll see what the Scriptures have to say about that.

A client once wrote a company for information about their product. In the letter he specifically stated that he did not want a salesman to call on him. However, since the information he had requested was rather technical and could not be adequately communicated in a letter, the company sent a salesman.

When the representative showed up at the man's office, he received a very cold reception. He repeatedly reminded the salesman that his letter clearly stated, "No salesman!"

The sales rep was a trainee and had very little experience in sales. "Mister," he said, "I'm about as close to a 'no-salesman' as they've got."

When it comes to sermons on giving, I'm about as close to "no salesman" as you can get! If I had to make a living as a fund-raiser, I'd starve.

Thankfully stewardship is a discipleship issue, not a fund-raising issue. I'm not called to be a fund-raiser, but I am called to train disciples. Part of that training involves what we are to do with our money.

In Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV), the wise man said, "Honor the Lord with your wealth," and then he added this promise: "Then your barns will be filled to overflowing." Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. and let's discover again how God honors those who honor him!

--Tom

Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them at www.HillcrestAustin.org/beacon.

Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored," with its Links to Your World -- interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday.

Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them!

Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.

FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org

LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here.

MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.

Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
Manage Your Subscription -- Subscribe/Unsubscribe	Contact Us About Your Subscription
What Does Jesus Do During the Offering Time? by Tom Goodman November 30, 2010 Join Us for These Special Christmas Events Kids' Music Theater presents "Back to the Manger" Sunday Evening, December 12, 6:00 p.m. The Adult Worship Choir presents "Journey of Faith" Sunday Morning, December 19, 10:00 a.m. Christmas Eve Service Friday Evening, December 24, 6:00 p.m. What do you do during the offering time? Every Sunday we have a time in our service where offering plates are passed. During that time, some of us pray. Some of us write out a last-minute check before the plate gets to us. Some of us listen carefully to the music being performed during the offering time. Some of us doodle artwork on the bulletin or send texts on our phones. But what does Jesus do during the offering time? In Mark 12, we find a story that can help us understand that. There we find him carefully observing the giving habits of worshippers. In the end, only one impressed him, and he honored her. God says he will honor us as we honor him (1 Samuel 2:30), and one way we honor him is through our offerings. This Sunday, we'll see what the Scriptures have to say about that. A client once wrote a company for information about their product. In the letter he specifically stated that he did not want a salesman to call on him. However, since the information he had requested was rather technical and could not be adequately communicated in a letter, the company sent a salesman. When the representative showed up at the man's office, he received a very cold reception. He repeatedly reminded the salesman that his letter clearly stated, "No salesman!" The sales rep was a trainee and had very little experience in sales. "Mister," he said, "I'm about as close to a 'no-salesman' as they've got." When it comes to sermons on giving, I'm about as close to "no salesman" as you can get! If I had to make a living as a fund-raiser, I'd starve. Thankfully stewardship is a discipleship issue, not a fund-raising issue. I'm not called to be a fund-raiser, but I am called to train disciples. Part of that training involves what we are to do with our money. In Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV), the wise man said, "Honor the Lord with your wealth," and then he added this promise: "Then your barns will be filled to overflowing." Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. and let's discover again how God honors those who honor him! --Tom Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them at www.HillcrestAustin.org/beacon. Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored," with its Links to Your World -- interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.