Below is the Finance Report for February 2021.  The Cash Flow graph represents our ‘Cash at Bank’ at the end of each month.  ‘Cash at Bank’ refers to all our bank accounts, but not our Capital Funds or Special Projects Account.  The second graph shows the gap between budgeted and actual giving – this helps us see how the ‘gap’ is tracking.

Did you know the bible has over 2,000 verses about money?  One of the most well-known would have to be this one:

No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

But another verse that is quite challenging is this:

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Not only are we called to give, but we are called to do so cheerfully.  This isn’t always easy.  One way of re-wiring how we think about money is to reflect on all that God has given us:

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16)

Instead of thinking of everything as ours and deciding how much we are going to give to God, we need to think of everything as God’s and decide how much we are going to keep for ourselves.  This shifts our thinking from God merely getting our leftovers, to instead stewarding our money (and all of our resources) in a way that brings honour and glory to Him.  This is not an easy thing to do.  Can I encourage you to share your reflections with a trusted friend of Growth Group member and spend some time praying to our great God – thank Him for his goodness and provision, and ask for his guidance and wisdom in how best to steward all that he has given you.

As always, if you have any questions on the church’s finances, your giving, stewardship etc. please contact our Finance Manager, Janet Sutton at accounts@livingchurch.org.au