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FAITH: is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
PROMISE: "A verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do
something in the future" (Webster)
Years ago, whenever the
Church endeavored to raise funds for the Lord's work, the idea of a "Faith
Promise" was employed. Today, sad to say, this concept has been lost
to the secular idea of a "pledge". Make no mistake about it:
a "Faith Promise" and a "pledge" are two vastly different things.
A "pledge" is a legally
collectable debt between the donor and the non-profit organization.
CPCI has nothing to do with "pledges". We believe in Faith Promises!
A Faith Promise is a
matter decided between you and the Lord. Once you have understood from
the Lord what you are to trust Him to do through your giving, you let the
recipient know what are your intentions. This was practice of
the early church. In II Corinthians 8:1-5, Paul writes:
"And
now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the
Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and
their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they
gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on
their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in
this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they
gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's
will."
Note the Macedonian
Church gave out of "extreme poverty" and "overflowing joy".
Further, they gave "as much as they were able, and even beyond their
ability". How could the Macedonians give "beyond their ability"
out of "extreme poverty"? The answer is found in II Corinthians
9:6-8:
"Remember
this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has
decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound
to you, so that in all things at all times, having all
that you need, you will abound in every good work." [emphasis
added]
The answer is that
God is in the equation! Note, "And God is able to make all grace
abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work. This is one of the most
magnificent verses in all Scripture! See the totality of God's
provision? With God nothing is impossible (Mark 10:27).
This is where faith comes in. Like all of our Christian life, "the
righteous live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38).
Faith looks beyond the poverty, weakness and sin of self and stands upon the
trustworthiness of God's Word, believing that He will abundantly
supply the needed grace!
What does it take to
make a Faith Promise? Not even a cent. Rather, a heart that is
willing to look to God for His leading in this matter of giving, finding out
what He wants, then trusting Him to provide.
The life of faith is
truly an adventure! As we look to God for His direction and provision,
we are used in His hand to bless others:
"Now
he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and
increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your
righteousness. 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.
"This
service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but
is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the
service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the
obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for
your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in
their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the
surpassing grace God has given you.
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! " (II Corinthians
9:10-15)
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