God has seen fit to bless ReCAST Church financially from the very beginning. We have met or exceeded our budget by significant amounts every year for our seven years of existence. And from talking with other church planters, this is not always the case. And so I believe it is appropriate to pause in the middle of writing this to give gratitude to God for the way He has provided for this church.
But all of that provision would be a bit silly if it only ever amounted to giving money back to ourselves. If our money went to buying ourselves books for Bible studies, coffee and donuts for Sunday morning, and a pastor’s salary and benefits, and a staff to support the programs we enjoy. In this case the church would be primarily a set of benefits that we voluntarily pay for. Yes, that was awkward to write about my own salary.
From our very first budget we included giving to the global outreach of God, the local outreach of God, and we also included a benevolent fund for those who are going through tough times. ReCAST began at a tough time in the economic history of our country. (Remember the housing crisis around 2009?!?)
It has been a blessing to be able to help many people within our church over the course of the last seven years. We do not publish the giving for the sake of the dignity for those individuals we help, but we have helped many out of financial duress. We often have helped people to budget and work through lean times. When we ascertain there really is a need, we have paid utility bills, medical bills, helped kids go to Christian summer camps whose families couldn’t afford it, and a helped meet a variety of other financial needs.
I am grateful that ReCAST has been gifted financially in order to be a blessing to others. And I am reminded that in the midst of a building project, that the good of the church is not in what it can do for itself, but what it can do for those in need. I am grateful that ReCAST has a heart of benevolence, and desire to offer charity to those who would reach out and ask for help.
The truth of the gospel is simple. We all are in need of charity! And God in his great love and benevolence . . . Made a way for us to obtain the riches of His grace through His Son. Our riches do not consist of bank accounts or building, but our riches consist of salvation, forgiveness, and God’s great mercy. And from that starting point, we launch out to care for the needs of those around us.
I am blessed to be a part of a generous gathering of God’s people who have demonstrated much benevolence and charity over the years, all in the name of Jesus Christ!
