We just came through a debt retirement pledge campaign at
CCF we called Heritage & Horizon. The name reflects that we are where we are
because of faithful, Godly leaders in the past that enable us to stand today looking
forward into the horizons God is placing before us.
The campaign pledge goal was $1,000,000. That seemed enough to ask God to work on
especially because, well, the church is smaller than it once was and the
economy is weaker.
But God works above and beyond what we can ask for or
imagine, remember? We asked a basic question: Will you pray until you have an
answer from God on how much he wants you to pledge as a sacrificial gift to the
Heritage & Horizon campaign over a three year period?
God moved to have people commit to over $1,300,000 in
pledges. And of that amount promised
over a three year period we have already received $400,000!
But this venture is about so much more than getting out of
debt. It is revealing where we put our
trust. It is teaching us the Kingdom of God
currency of generosity and gratitude. It
teaches us the Kingdom of God economy that is measured by the advance of the
eternal reconciliation priorities of Jesus in our world rather than the
accumulation of stuff that the culture around us promotes.
Where our treasure is there our heart will be also. By sacrificially moving earthly treasure into
the body of Christ on this earth, it moves our hearts into an increased open
humility that enables us to follow Jesus more faithfully as his disciples not
only in our finances but all areas of life.
Already in this period this growing sacrificial generous
heart of CCF persons broke through into new dimensions of fruitfulness like the ministry
of Jesus responding to physical need with utmost priority on human dignity. We are building more authentic relationships
and sharing what we have with homeless, and giving seniors (neighbors of CCF partners) opportunity to shop
for free in the week before the check arrives when they often need to choose between medicine
and food.
When we place our time, talents and treasure before God it
can get exciting!
