It's Not About the Economy!

Two weeks ago I received a call from an FBCGer that almost shocked me. I say almost because I have been doing this long enough that nothing really shocks me anymore! But when the person on the other end of the call said, "God has blessed our family and we want to give a financial gift
to the church," I wasn't shocked, but I was definitely surprised!

When the caller mentioned the amount of the gift, I have to admit that something in me wanted to say, "Are you sure? You know this might not be a best time to be giving away that kind of money - with the economy and all! Maybe you should consider putting that money somewhere safe - like your mattress - for a couple of years until things get better!"

But, of course, I didn't say those things! Instead, I expressed my appreciation to the caller and helped facilitate the process of giving the gift. Over the next few days I kept thinking about that call - and the more I thought about it - the more I sensed God trying to tell me something.

We all know the economy is rough right now. Most of us have seen the value of our homes, our investments and our college funds (ouch!) decline dramatically in the past year or so. Some of us have lost income and even jobs.

We have seen our collective giving as a church family drop about 7% from last year. Back in November of '08, our leadership cut our operating budget
by 10% just to be wise and prudent with our resources. Since that time, due to the collective generosity of our church family, we have not had to make any further cuts.

And here's the point - here's what God started to show me after that phone call -- it's not about the economy! If it was, no one would be giving anything - or at least very little - because it makes no sense whatsoever to give money away if it's really about the economy. But if it's about
something else - say, God, and if God is bigger than the economy, then it makes perfect sense!

The people who are this church - that means you - continue to be generous not because they can afford to be - but because they
want to be! We give because God has blessed us. We give because God tells us to give. We give because we believe God is bigger than the economy!

Should we exercise wisdom and discernment when it comes to our personal finances? Absolutely! Will FBCG leadership continue to monitor our collective
financial health carefully? Yes, indeed! Will we stand ready to help those among and around us who are struggling through our Benevolent Fund and Food Pantry? Yes, we will! But do we need to fear the economy? The answer is a resounding "No" - we do not, because God is not limited by the economy in
the least. He has not lost anything in the market. His net worth has not declined by even a penny. He is still the great and good and generous God who created us, saved us, and calls us to be his church in the world!

And as long as that is true, I believe I will continue to get those almost shocking phone calls!

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