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Commitment

A Statement of the Heart

Many of us are asked, even expected to make commitments in our lives. To commit means to pledge or make a promise to undertake a particular course of action. We make a commitment when we agree to take on a marriage, family,friendship, career, or education, to name just a few. We commit to invest our time, energy, and money in those things we hold dear, those things we set as priorities in our lives.

So it is with our church as we began building Crosswalk and the Children’s Building. Our willingness to financially commit to the future of First Baptist speaks volumes about our priorities as we wrestle with what the church means to each of us.

Jesus expressed this truth about the nature of commitment when He said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). May each of us arrive at a financial commitment that faithfully reflects our hearts!

A Process of the Heart

As you consider your own part in making a financial commitment to the capital campaign, these steps may assist you:

• Pray for guidance in reaching a giving decision, which will be right for you and for the church.
• Allow faith to become part of your decision. Leave room for God’s help, and He will aid you with the decision you need to make.
• Consider sacrifice as a way to set apart a portion of what you have, to give something you personally value as a way of expressing your love for God and First Baptist.

Biblical Principles

The Stewardship Principle

Stewardship is the recognition that God owns all that we possess.It acknowledges that our Lord provides the resources for our life and,through us, the resources for Godly work and for the church. We are managers,overseers, of what God has provided for our life. We are accountable for all that has been placed into our life, not just for a portion of the amount. Our giving is an expression of our love and gratitude.

The Voluntary Principle

Paul stated the voluntary principle when he said, “For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has - not according to what one does not have” (2 Cor.8:12). Again he said, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor.9:7).

No one should determine the amount of another person’s commitment. Each person and household is challenged to seek God’s will in determining a personal giving commitment.

The Sacrificial Principle

In the Old Testament people came to worship with a sacrifice in hand. The word“sacrifice” can be defined as “to set apart” or“to make holy.” Sacrificial giving is the act of making sacred, or setting apart, our financial resources for God. Jesus chose those who gave sacrificially as models for giving. The widow who gave two mites, the boy who gave his lunch, and the woman who gave her alabaster box of perfume are prime examples.The Scriptures make clear that God measures the gift, not in relationship to others, but inrelationship to one’s resources and in whatis left over after the gift. The Apostle Paulsaid, “For if the eagerness is there, the giftis acceptable according to what one has” (2Cor. 8:12). And Jesus said, “From everyoneto whom much has been given, much will berequired” (Luke 12:48).