Fundraising

There seems to be several fundraisers going around the office every month. I recently bought a raffle ticket for a fundraiser for a local charitable group. Our church is raising funds for the City Station project. It’s not easy to raise money in our culture where the average household spends more than they earn. We seem to look for immediate fixes to long-term challenges.

2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

4 Joash said to the priests, ‘Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple of the Lord – the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows and the money brought voluntarily to the temple. 5 Let every priest receive the money from one of the treasurers, then use it to repair whatever damage is found in the temple.’ (2 Kings 12:2-5 NIV)

King Joash was 7 years old when he became king. He was teachable and trainable by the priest, Jehoiada. He really wanted to repair the temple that had been home to him six of his first seven years.

I remember my Mom telling me that a “penny saved is a penny earned”. I wish I had grasped this concept many years ago. Dave Ramsey came along and all of a sudden I understood the value of saving money. The Lord can be certainly honored with my money and I can be like God as a giver when I save money and manage well. This young king had big ideas and he seemed to really want to honor God.

I have been guilty of pursuing money, wealth and fame instead of pursuing God. I’ve learned some hard lessons in the pursuit of money. All the possessions I have and all the money that I’ve ever earned is temporary. When I take what I’ve been blessed with and I honor the Lord, I’m investing in eternity – a very wise investment. I think I’ll do some more fundraising to be prepared to give when the Lord says give.

Pressing On!

Dwayne