In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) The context in which Jesus spoke is his admonition for believers to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.
There is sufficient evidence in the daily events of life to demonstrate to us the vulnerability of earthly possessions. Floods, fires, tornados, and hurricanes are just a few of the elements of nature that can take away a life time of possessions. And right here at Christmas most of us are in the process of accumulating more things. The pull of the world and material things is extremely strong and all too often we are guilty of making stuff our treasure.
Jesus came into the world to save us from sin. He came to save us from ourselves. He came to call our attention and focus of life to that which is eternal. There is no better time to think about our focus in life, our priorities, our treasures than at Christmas. It is true that what we treasure most captures our heart.
Christmas is a good time for us to consider giving a significant gift to missions as an expression of our love to God and our desire to see the Gospel preached around the world. Would you pray about giving a financial contribution to our mission offerings equal to any gift that you give to anyone else? Would you commit to making your treasure something that is eternal? Making it possible for someone to receive Christ Through the preaching and teaching of His word?
At Crabtree Valley Baptist Church you have the option of giving to missions through the Global Mission Offering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship or the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering of the Southern Baptist Convention. Either offering goes to our mission work in countries around the world. The goal for this year’s mission offering is $800 for the Global Mission Offering and $800 for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Envelopes are available on the table in the vestibule of the church. We will receive the missions offering each Sunday through December. Give generously as God loves a cheerful giver.
In His Love,
Charles
