“But since you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge,
in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you--
see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
2 Corinthians 8:7
We at JIBC have used that phrase a lot over the years. It is like a truism, a mantra, a value, almost a mission statement. We are blessed to be a blessing. I suspect that there are more of our members who feel that way than those who do not. It has been a growing grace of our church family. I believe our church family has excelled in love. I am not aware of any church that more consistently reaches out and loves on those who are broken and bruised by life. I think you do excel in love. I think you have often excelled in faith, willing to take on missions and ministries that were obviously beyond our pay grade! And I think, as a church family, we have excelled in the grace of giving.
Just recently we were able to send offerings to SendRelief, the Southern Baptist team that responds to any sort of disaster, whether it is man-made or natural. We sent offerings to Samaritans Purse who will be on the ground in Ukraine with food and medical teams. Then we also were able to send offerings to two contacts in Ukraine. These two, a pastor and a ministry leader, are on the ground, the bombed ground of their country. I am so thankful that we could send them funds to help their relief efforts.
We are now getting ready to send offerings to our mission partners in Romania. The city of Campulung is not near to the border of Russia, but they are near to the heart of God. Two of our ministry partners are helping refugees. So, we will help them. Why? Because we have been blessed to be a blessing.
You generous giving this past year put us in a great position to bless those in harm’s way. It started in December of 2020 when your offerings were able to bless the Afghan refugees, the earthquake victims in Haiti, the Hurricane victims in Louisiana and to help purchase water purification systems for Haiti. That, by the way, does not count offerings sent to our traditional missions partners like Lottie Moon, the co-operative program, Charleston Baptist Association, James Island Outreach, etc.
My prayer is that we will continue to abound in the grace of giving and with the belief that we are blessed to be a blessing. I pray that we will be good stewards, great managers, of all our Father has entrusted to JIBC.
Let’s continue to excel in love and mercy. That is God like. Jesus affirmed the Pharisees for their willingness and commitment to tithe. He also reminded them not to neglect the greater things…like justice, mercy and love. You are blessed to be a blessing. Let’s excel in faith, speech, love and the grace of giving.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
