Building Project

“Grace” is a wonderful word. Fundamentally, it means “God’s unearned and unearnable favor.” (Eph 2:8-10) Christ was “full of grace” and He imparts that grace to us. (Jn 1:14-17) We are saved by grace (Rom 3:24). Once we are saved we live out our days in God’s grace. (Rom 6:14) The word even sounds beautiful, like a flute, clear and warm. Though most often associated with its role in salvation, grace is given for a whole host of other activities as well. Peter writes that we are to be “faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Pet 4:10) Paul’s apostolic ministry and authority to the Gentiles was by grace (Romans 1:5, 12:3) as well as his general calling as evangelist (1 Cor 15:10) and church-planter. “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder…” (1Cor 3:10) The gifts given for the edification of the church are given by grace and partially listed in Romans 12:6-8. These include prophecy, service, teaching, encouraging, leadership, and mercy. Included in that list is “contributing to the needs of others” which carries with it the instruction to “give generously.” In 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 Paul devotes a lengthy section to the subject of the gracious act of giving. You will no doubt recognize some very familiar verses there but did you remember that the overall subject was giving? I invite you to open your Bible to follow and meditate on the passage as you read below. Paul makes these observations:

1. Healthy Congregations Give. (2 Cor 8:1-8) Paul points to the Macedonian churches (Thessalonica, for instance) as an example of the generosity of belief. Can Corinth do the same?
2. Christ gave. (8:9) The King of the Universe became poor so that believers could become infinitely rich in and through Him. Paul calls this “the grace of our Lord.”
3. Moral Obligation. (8:10-11) Like the Corinthians, many of us have wanted to give but have procrastinated. Now is the time to get out your checkbook, pray, and write a check. Put it in the offering this Sunday.
4. Willingness is the sole measure of spiritual value (8:12) Our gift is measured against what we have, not what Bill Gates has.
5. Financial blessing is for the purpose of giving. (8:13-15) We are only stewards of what we have. Our “plenty” is to meet others needs.
6. Give generously. (8:20, 9:5) Sight unseen, Paul is expecting a “liberal gift.”
7. Good stewardship is an example to the world. (8:21)
8. Giving is a testimony to other believers. (8:24)
9. Talking about giving must end in the act of giving. (9:2-4) Good works should not be confused with talking about them. See #3.
10. Giving deserves forethought. (9:5) Paul wants them (and us) to be prepared in advance.
11. The Sowing and Reaping Principle. (9:6) Sow generously to reap generously.
12. God loves a cheerful giver. (9:7) Our service to Him should be a joy.
13. God will provide (9:8) We will have all we need while still having an “abundance for every good work.”
14. God is glorified in our giving. (9:11-15) The result of all this is that thanksgiving overflows to God. Thus giving is in perfect harmony with the prime directive of the church!

Progress reports of this writing we are 75% of the way to our goal of the $1 million we need to begin construction of our new facility. Interestingly, we are about at the same place in the fundraising process as we are in the design process. Committees have been formed to assess needs and create a “word picture” for presentation to the architects for initial design. The city has been informed of our plans to build and is temporarily holding their order to retrofit in abeyance. Men from the building committee are visiting other churches in Southern California to see the latest innovations in church construction and facilities. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “But just as you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2Cor 8:7) Give to the Building Fund!