BTS Supply Drive Thanks, New Series in Acts, God's Grace Equals Giving (Pastoral Emphasis for 8/31)

Thanks to all who donated and supported our 3rd Annual Back to School Supply Drive. The donations continue to increase each year. Your willingness to serve the community has allowed us to provide supplies and personal items to West Cary Middle School, Raleigh Rescue Mission, and Oxford Children's Home.

Next Sunday, we start our final series in Acts, covering chapters 13 to 28. The series is called "Missions to the Ends of the Earth". This is our longest series that will take us well into next year. Join us and bring someone as we dig into the last part of Acts.

As we got ready to worship through our giving, I shared this excellent writing from our Sunday School lesson. God's grace equals giving...

"Jesus paid the cost of leaving heaven to become a baby, grow up on earth, live with constant criticism by religious people, and die on the cross. He paid the price that we might experience God's grace (undeserved favor). Therefore, our giving should grow from experiencing God's grace daily.

Paul said that gracious giving is not so much about what we give but how we give. 'Overflowing joy' describes how the Macedonian church gave to the need presented to them. They knew that God's grace was upon them and didn't dwell on their own suffering or poverty but gave out of grace. We give joyfully as we understand how much God has given us and then give generously ourselves, not to impoverish ourselves but to meet the needs of those who don't have as much.

Grace in giving is not giving toward a need because we want God to bless us with something in return or giving so that others can recognize our giving and see how generous we are. All that we are given by God is undeserved; no matter how much we give, we can't earn God's grace, and we can't outgive God. [Emphasis added]

As we understand God's grace in our lives, we then grow more in our willingness to give of our finances, our time, and our talents. Giving becomes more than just writing the same check week after week and grumbling how little we have. Grace in giving comes when we know what God did for us and we respond in kind."

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