Pastor Andy Keltner

God and Money 

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Luke 16:13

"A checkbook is a theological document; it will tell you who and what you worship." Billy Graham

"People go through three conversions: their head, their heart and their pocketbook, unfortunately, not all at the same time." Martin Luther (1483-1546)

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, and the like is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them. C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), English author and scholar  

I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands that I still possess.  

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Christian stewardship is not an option it is a way of life. God is the giver of all good gifts. He gives us our time talent and resources. The question we have to ask does our check book and calendar reflect our worship of the giver of all good gifts.

"Remember the Sabbath by keeping Holy" says that we need rest. True rest comes when we spend time with our God. Do we have time for our God?

Pastor

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Mark Sunday, Oct. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 3 on your calendar as a time of spiritual growth, fellowship, and commitment here at Christ Our Savior. Nov. 3 will be "Consecration Sunday," the culmination of a biblical-based stewardship education and commitment emphasis called Consecrated Stewards that focuses on raising people in Christian discipleship, not just raising money for the work of the church.  

To understand the Consecrated Stewards approach, you need to know that it is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. It is not based on the budgetary needs of the church, but on the desire to have each person grow in discipleship. Opportunity for growth in discipleship will take place during the Sundays Oct. 13 through Nov. 3.

• The personal witness of some of our members.
• Encouragement and resources for prayer.
• Celebration of the various ministries of our congregation.
• A series of Bible studies on Sunday mornings.
• Consecration Sunday activities on Nov. 3, including an opportunity to make a faith-based commitment during the worship service which will be led by guest pastor Dan Wehmeier from King of Kings, Gardner; a special fellowship and celebration luncheon for all the Christ Our Savior family.

The encouragement to commitment on Consecration Sunday takes place within the context of the morning worship service. Our guest leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, and then ask our attendees and members to respond to God's leading through a financial commitment that will enable our church's missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.

Every attendee and member who completes a response card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We also urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card. Consecrated Stewards works with people where they are and when they are ready. Members make their commitments as a confidential act of worship. We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards.  

Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in our Consecrated Stewards events.

Craig Holtzen

Council President