Using Money Matters To Mature Christians

Using Money Matters To Mature Christians

Maturing new Christians is a very important part of establishing congregations. Most adults who become Christians here in Brazil have many things to change in their actions and attitudes to be salt and light to the world around them. I really enjoy studying the Bible with people and seeing the joy in their eyes when what they have heard most of their life about Jesus and what they are now reading in the Bible intermix and truth is found, their eyes opening, seeing, and believing. But what about after they are baptized? How do they proceed from there, learning to walk in this new life of service to God?

One of the areas of life that most people have a hard time being salt and light is financial, an area lurking in the shadows, which no one talks about much. The truth of the matter is that Jesus talks about money as one of the two masters that we will either serve or hate in Matthew 6. I have begun to teach couples in the church some principles that I have read and heard from Dave Ramsey. I am teaching these couples that living debt free makes sense, that it is possible and they will be able to help others, by giving, supporting Brazilian evangelists and helping establish new congregations as well as traveling to visit and help in campaigns, etc. It may not seem like the most exciting thing to do but actually it is exciting. You can see joy in their eyes when they see the possibility of growing spiritually and helping others. It is not the same joy as when they understood better what Jesus did for us all but it is still exciting to be a part of helping others grow, learn and become more mature. Thank you for your prayers.

Comments

The Planting, the Watering, and the Increase

Emesson started coming to Bible Club over a year ago, when Neil Schultz and Cait Beckloff, our AIM team, were teaching it. For several months, they planted the seed in his and his sister's hearts. Unfortunately Neil and Cait's time in João Pessoa ended. In 2014 Bible Club received a boon when Erick and Jenny Paddy, former AIMers, returned to the field and picked up teaching the Bible Study for English speakers. They watered the sprouting seed in Emesson's life until God's Word became more important for him than just practicing his English. Last Wednesday night, God gave the increase, adding Emesson to the Family of Christ. Sometimes things don't happen when we think they should, but God is in control; His time is best, and we must thank Him for playing a small part in His plan.

For the Kids, Part III

In the USA, there are two special days during the year that children love: birthday and Christmas. Brazil adds one more: Children's Day. On this day, children receive a present and since it coincides with Our Lady of Appeared Conception, Brazil's patron saint, it is also a national holiday. Each week we get kids from the Castelo Branco neighborhood together at the square in front of Dona Terezinha's house to talk about Jesus. For Children's Day, we invited the parents to watch the kids perform a play of the "Prodigal Son," then each kid receives his or her fill of cotton candy, cake, and a sack full of goodies. The parents who came received a Today's Portuguese New Testament and an invitation to the weekly Bible study at Terezinha's. Lori Hagewood has organized this activity for three year with the help from Terezinha, Joseph, and Michel (from the China Taiwan restaurant). Michael, Ashton, and Tif...

Weekend VBS

The end of April, my wife, Monica, traveled to Patos with the AME (Adventures in Evangelistic Missions) group to have VBS with the church there. It was the first VBS for the AME class and for the church in Patos, the first one in about 10 years. Monica said that there were 24 children on the first day and 26 on the second. It was a weekend VBS, Saturday morning, afternoon and Sunday morning. They also did a campaign around the church building inviting people to the VBS, the church meeting, and an adult class on Friday night. They also had a couples meeting as well as a youth group meetings happening in between other activities. Needless to say, they were pretty busy. They all came back exci...

McKinney Report

Search This Blog