I’ve been reading a lot about money, giving and stewardship for the past few months.  Not only because we are in a Campaign but because we are in the Campaign.  By we, I mean Diane and I.  We are in this with you.  We are not asking you to do something that we are unwilling to do.  Diane hardly ever struggles with giving, I almost always do.  Because of this I need to re-read how giving makes sense within a Biblical world-view.  I need to think about the history of God’s people.  I need to refresh my memory about the fact that giving is actually an investment in the life to come.  I need to be reminded that the money I have is not really mine anyway and that God has more!  So, I’ve been reading.  In addition to the above reminders this one struck me in the heart, “When we give money we’re giving time, talent and treasure; we give up what we could have used that money for…giving is the cost of love.”  That last phrase really got me.  Admittedly, this campaign cannot be based on a Bible verse.  We will not find a Bible verse that says, “Thou shalt expand thy sanctuary and thou shalt build an educational wing.”  What struck me is this, what if we wanted to build this as a love gift to God and His glory?  I’m not going to preach about that because it sounds manipulative but doing this for love is where I’m at right now.  I have given out of obligation and even grudgingly in the past.  I’m sorry.  I’ve given because I’m a leader in the church and I’m supposed to be an example.  But, this time, for me, this is about love.  God loved me so much that even when I was a sinner, Christ came and died for me!  “No greater love…”  So, when we are giving money, we are really giving all that it took to receive that money AND we are giving what that money could have been used for.  Whatever the amount, that can be a “love gift” to God…not a payment because we could never repay what we owe.  Gifts of gratitude and love can be offered in the light of the Father’s smile .  Yes.