Our Lord teaches us to give generously out of love – love for Him and for our neighbor. Genuine love is always love in deed (1 John 3:18), love such as Jesus showed us all. It is love that sees our neighbor in need and gives generously to help him.  It is love that hears the Word of the Lord and does what it says.  If we truly love, we give generously.  If we give without love, our giving is not truly following Jesus.

We follow Jesus in generosity when we give for a good purpose to thank the Lord and support His gospel ministry and other works of mercy. The people of Israel gave generously for the service of God’s gospel purposes, to construct and support the operation of the tabernacle.  For that was the place where the Lord received the Old Testament sacrifices, through which He bestowed the forgiveness of sins on His people.  So, they gave abundantly – so abundantly that they had to be told to stop giving.  (Ex. 36:5-6)

In the same way, we should bring generous offerings to support the Lord’s work of bestowing His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation in our congregations through the preaching and teaching of His Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. We should support the Lord’s work of caring for those who are poor and needy.

Our Savior calls us to follow His example in generous giving.  Let us then, with thankful hearts, rededicate ourselves to following Him in generosity.

God Bless you all! Thank you for supporting Redeemer by The Sea,
Noreen Wenstone, Stewardship Chairperson