I’m proud of you! I’ve admitted before that I don’t like to talk about money, but considering the strange circumstances of the past two years, I am overwhelmed by your faithfulness in giving.
The facts of the ledger sheet reveal that giving is about $12,000 behind expenses (as of the beginning of October); they also show that giving is about on track for what we had budgeted for 2021 – within about $5! The quarterly report for budget vs. actual spending shows that, for the most part, we are spending at or below what was budgeted. Where did that deficit come from? Unexpected expenses. Since May we had to replace a few air-conditioning units, pay a huge water bill for a leak we didn’t discover for several weeks, and reseal the parking lot. It was a long, hot, expensive summer.
The thing is, we’re paying our bills, and our bank accounts are healthy. That tells me God’s people are being faithful to our faithful God. Despite the uncertainties of this world, God’s faithful people are trusting God to provide for our needs as individuals and as the body of Christ.
All I can say is that I can relate to Paul when he wrote about his love, joy, and pride in the church, especially in Philippians 1:3-5: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” I pray that you all understand that your giving is not merely a matter of paying our bills but of working together in this ministry of the Gospel. Thank you! I’m proud of you!