PASTOR’S CORNER SEPTEMBER 2018

GIVING BY FAITH AND GENEROSITY
Science fiction writer, Isaac Asimov, tells the story of Nathan Rothschild, the brilliant financier of 19th century England.  Once, getting out of a hackney cab in London, he paid the cab driver the fare and an exceedingly modest tip.  The cabbie tipped his hat and said, “You know, Mr. Rothschild, your daughter gives me a much larger tip.”  Rothschild growled, “That’s all right for her.  She’s got a rich father.”  While the story doesn’t say much for Rothschild’s generosity, it does remind us that we too have a heavenly father who is very rich and who sets a far greater example for his children.  As Romans 8:32 puts it, He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?  We can never out give our heavenly father.  As I write these words, I want to share with you the financial needs we have as a church.  With summer coming to an end, we find ourselves experiencing some of the typical summer lag in giving (See our Treasurer’s Report on page 2).  Yet we are as busy and energetic in our ministry to the community as ever.  Many people do not realize that our only source of income comes from what people give willingly and from the heart.  We do not own real estate or have a portfolio on the stock market.  This is as it should be for a church.  God wants us to look to Him to meet our needs and not rely on deep pocket investments.  Once, when inspecting the vast treasures in the Vatican vaults, a prelate of the church remarked, Gone are the days when the church must say, “Silver and Gold have I none.”  Another priest happened by and hearing these words remarked, Yes but gone are the days also when the church can say, “Pick up thy palette and walk.”  It is by faith that we do what we do at LHCC.  And it is by faith that I appeal to you, fellow believers, to give to God’s ministry.  Never forget, God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Cor 9:8).   Where grace abounds, there gives a life profound.          Pastor Mike Bradaric