Compound interest is a remarkable force of financial power. For instance, if you were to invest $100 at
7 percent interest for 20 years, it would turn into nearly $400. Or imagine if someone had invested just $1 at
the time of Christ into a bank account paying a modest 1 percent annual rate of return, it would now be worth
$437 million!
Of course, God doesn’t fund His Kingdom on compound interest. Instead, God relies on the faithful,
generous, consistent giving of followers of Jesus who financially empower the mission of sharing His love and
message with the world. It’s a much better system.
I don’t often preach or write about giving. I may plan a “stewardship sermon” once a year or so, but I
don’t feel a great need to dwell on this topic because I witness God’s goodness and the generosity of His people
at work in our church on a regular basis. Broadway is a faithfully generous congregation, and as a result,
we enjoy financial stability and are able to be generous in our support of other ministries.
Please don’t take this for granted or let it become a source of pride. It is only by God’s grace that our
church is financially sound. I mean this literally and spiritually. God’s word tells us that He provides for us so
we can be generous toward others and fund the work of His church. 2 Corinthians 9:11 promises, “You will be
enriched in every way so you can be generous on every occasion.”
This wonderful promise comes with a serious calling. God will enable our generosity, so long as we
remain generous. He will give us what we need so we can give to others in their need. That’s the secret of
Kingdom economics and how the Church has been provided for all these years.
I don’t often preach about giving, but I do believe in the importance of receiving an offering each Sunday
during worship. Some churches have dropped this practice, thinking it puts pressure on people or is somehow
unbecoming to talk about money in church. We continue to receive offerings each Sunday because we
believe giving is a form of worship that reminds us how God provides for His church through the generosity of
His people.
Thank you for giving faithfully to Broadway. Along with the many ways you serve and use spiritual
gifts in our ministries, your generous giving enables us to fulfill the mission Jesus gave His church. God could
have chosen a different system, but in His wisdom, He meets the financial needs of our church through the
consistent giving of those who believe in the importance of our ministry.
2 Cor. 9:11 continues, “and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” We see the
fulfillment of this verse every week at Broadway as people express joy and gratitude to God for the love we
share and for the message of salvation we proclaim. Your faithful giving supports the spiritual fruit produced
through our times of worship, prayer, Bible study, fellowship and all the ways we serve in Jesus’ name.
As we move through 2025, our church will have needs and expenses, some planned and others unexpected.
Church leaders will make decisions and administer our ministries within the budget approved by our
membership. We will allocate financial resources to advance our mission and support other Christ-honoring
ministries in our community and beyond. All of this happens through the faithfulness of God’s provision and
the generosity of His people.
