Remember the movie The Parent Trap?  In the beginning, before the two girls realize that they are sisters, they are fighting all the time and playing pranks on each other.  The camp director sentences them to spend time together until they can learn to get along.

 

As I was reading about dissension of several different denominations over social issues and the resultant drop in financial support, it occurred to me that it is very interesting that so many of our denominations are going through the same thing because we have not previously been split by political or social issues but by theological or doctrinal ones.  And it is good that we are not split along political lines. 

 

I think that God has put us together like the big camp director in the sky in the midst of our disagreements so that we can deal with our differences and learn from each other and in the midst of it all we will learn that we are sisters and brothers just like in the movie except that we are sisters and brothers in Christ.

 

Withholding money is a problem that happens not only on the denominational level, but also on the congregational level.  I have heard it happening for all kinds of reasons.  Yes, because of social issues, but as likely because we don't agree on the new renovations or on the parking lot or we don't like the pastor.

 

If we only give when we agree on everything we will be poor.  And when we withhold our money we have less at stake in what happens, and we shouldn't.  Jesus said that where your treasure is there will your heart be also.  So He calls to us to put our money into the church that He has brought us to and then as our heart is there we will be invested in making it a place where His love is proclaimed. 

 

Lord, We pray for your church and the sisters and brothers you have given us there.  We pray that you will give us generous hearts in the places that you have put us.  Amen