By: Craig Rippy

  Devastation. The hurricane season has brought destruction and hurt to many families on the Gulf Coast. We have taken an offering to help our Brothers and Sisters rebuild. They in turn will be a source of help to their neighbors. As we show God's love to the family of God the family of God will show love to their immediate neighbors.

Depending upon the need, we may take up another special offering to help the Gulf Coast victims.

It is good to know that God never runs out of resources. You can count on Him to provide what's necessary to care for His children.

He will provide you -Solid Rock- with extra to help those in need on the Gulf Coast. And, that will be in excess of your regular tithes and offerings. 2 Corinthians 9:11 reads, You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (NIV).

As we are generous God supplies for more generosity. As we show integrity in stewardship, God blesses our efforts.

Each of us should ask the question, "How effective am I?" How effective are you in supplying the needs of hurting brethren?

Well, I'll share with you that on Sunday, September 18 SRCC brethren gave $1,771 to help the Katrina victims. I'd say that was very benevolent. That was $14.81 per person attending that morning. Yet, the general offering was way down, $1,425.75.

Please allow me to be a bit Ozarkian here. That means, let me speculate with some amount of criticism. I'm sure those who have been citizens of the Ozarks as long as or longer than I have already done the same thing, and came to the same conclusions.

With the 133 adults that usually attend, not counting anyone under 19 years of age, and considering the weekly average of our regular offering (July & August 2005 Avg. - $2,147.45), something just doesn't figure squarely.

The congregation needs an average of $2,200 weekly to meet financial obligations. We have been averaging this and a little more at times. Our attendance has been down the last couple of months, but the offerings have remained adequate to meet our obligations and be benevolent also.

Two concerns have risen. First, is the attendance. The leadership has talked about this and is in prayer concerning the lower attendance.

Sunday and Wednesday evenings have not met our expectations for quite some time. These are excellent times of study and fellowship.

We saw a very low attendance in support of the Show-Me Children's Home presentation on Sunday evening the 18th. They asked for nothing and the Show-Me family provided an excellent play accompanied by special music. All who attended were very pleased they came.

The Master Plan presentation by the Chief Architect of Goodman Architectural Services was attended poorly as well. Nine more than the usual attended to view the plan and ask questions. 

Second, why was the special IDES offering higher than the general offering. It would not be questioned if the general offering had been in the normal range. It would be great to see an outpouring of love by a large special offering, which exceeds the normal offering amount. Yet, as it was, we had $996.75 dollars more in total offering (IDES and general) on the 18th than what we need for our regular general budget, $2,200.

Please understand what I'm writing. The money God places under your management is under your management. You can do with it as you believe God desires. Yet, for those who may not know it, the congregation budget operates like a family budget. We must have a certain amount ($2,200.) each week to meet obligations. To split a regular offering, and designating it to another need takes from the general account. You know, "taking from Peter to pay Paul." Just as that doesn't work with your personal budget, it doesn't work with your church budget.

Hopefully, no one ever gives in such a manner as Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). They gave only part of what they wanted others to think they had given, and God wasn't pleased. He also lifted His blessing from their lives. Others shared generously and great blessings followed (Acts 4:32-36).

Also, we are instructed not to neglect the fellowship (Hebrews 10:25). The time we spend together promotes wholesome growth, and helps each one to be informed and more responsible as Christian servants.

Time for a personal evaluation: What kind of steward am I? How effective am I as a servant of God?