I was speaking at a conference where the pastor taking the offering talked about fractured Scriptures. It’s how people take verses out of context. “And that’s not good,” he said. “For example, you know the passage in 2 Corinthians 9: ‘For God loves a cheerful giver.’ But very seldom do you hear the next part of that verse quoted.”
My memory tried to bring to mind what followed.
“Well, that verse goes on,” the pastor continued, “‘For God loves a cheerful giver’… but He’s also open to receiving generous donations from a grouch.”
Naturally, we all laughed, which put us in a good mood to give.
Let me just remind us that any kind of giving to God or to others is best done, not reluctantly, but truly with a heart that is full of joy.
I continue to feel very grateful and am humbled by the many positive comments about my latest book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday. This book is now available at Amazon.com by clicking here.
This book gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said from the pulpit when they come to worship services in the church where you serve as pastor.
Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.
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