By Archer Thorpe
I frequently talk with people that feel that life is tumbling in, and they fear that they will not be able to dig their way out. The economy is being described as one that is contracting and tumbling in upon itself. Some may be feeling that their business is going under, and they fear that the ground beneath their feet could tumble in on them. They wonder what then? The Cooperative Program provides almost all the funding for Tennessee Baptist Convention’s Executive Board Ministries. Many of our churches have had to tighten their belt financially, so the support for missions through the Cooperative Program in Tennessee is currently below last year’s receipts. The TBC staff has cut our ministry budget in order to live within our income.
When I attempt to look into the future, I begin to ask, the “What then?” question. Will decisions I make be based on fear or faith? Without Christ in my life, fear would reign. By faith, I will remember God’s many promises to sustain us and never leave us. As an expression of faith, my wife Linda and I are continuing our commitment to honor God’s mandate for us to tithe the first fruits of our income to the ministries of our church. By faith we will increase the amount we will give as an offering.
Our church, ClearView Baptist Church, Franklin, among churches in Tennessee moved from 40th place in the amount given through the Cooperative Program in 2007 to 27th place in 2008. In my opinion, the primary reason is the leadership of our pastor Mark Marshal. Our church is modeling the way for my family. It’s not trite to say, “We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future.”
When life tumbles in what then will you do? Here is some real help from Howard Dayton at Crown Financial Ministries:
“First, find God’s direction for your life. Many frustrations we experience are the result of patterning our life after someone else, rather than finding through prayer and study of God’s Word, God’s direction for us. Next, make a conscious effort to trust God. Put thoughts, words and commitments into action, and don’t buy on credit or hoard. Wait for God to supply and plan ahead. Then develop a long-range viewpoint. Trust God’s directives and guidance, even when you cannot see the end result or are unable to understand why He may be doing it that way (Matthew 6:34). Finally, pray always. Diligent prayer is the key that unlocks God’s blessings, power and direction (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).”
Archer Thorpe is a Ministry Strategist/Leadership Specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
Reprinted by permission from the March 25, 2009 issue of the Baptist & Reflector.
