There are moments when even long-time believers ask, “What are we really doing here?”
It’s an honest question. Maybe it comes when you look around on a quiet Sunday and wonder if lives are actually changing. Maybe it comes when it’s time to give, and you hesitate—wondering if your support is going to a mission, or just to maintenance.
You’re not alone in asking.
The early church had these questions, too. In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul meets with the elders of the church in Ephesus to say goodbye. He knows hardship is coming. He knows his time is short. But instead of dwelling on comfort, he leaves them with a powerful vision of what the Church is meant to be.
“I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus…”
—Acts 20:24
Paul reminds them—and us—that the Church isn’t about self-preservation. It’s about transformation. It’s about staying faithful to the mission of Jesus, no matter the cost.
And here’s the key point:
“…the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28)
That’s a strong reminder. This isn’t our church to rebrand or repurpose. It belongs to Jesus. And that means everything we do—every sermon, every dollar given, every person served—needs to align with His mission: calling people back to God, offering grace and truth, and forming people of faith who will shape the world for generations to come.
So what does that mean for us today?
It means your giving matters.
Not because we’re trying to meet a number, but because we believe in the kind of future Jesus gave His life for. Around here, we like to talk about planting spiritual oak trees—raising up men and women of deep faith who will bless families, neighborhoods, and communities long after we’re gone.
That’s what this series is about. Not just financial giving, but purposeful giving. Generosity that’s tied to God’s mission—not guilt, tradition, or pressure.
How You Can Take the Next Step
Here are three simple things to reflect on this week as we prepare for Sunday:
- Pray about your role in this church’s mission—not just financially, but with your gifts and time.
- Revisit your giving with fresh eyes. Ask, Is this how I want to invest in God’s Kingdom?
- Share your story. Has this church impacted your life? Even in a small way? Tell someone. Generosity grows when we remember what God has already done.
A Final Word
If you’ve felt skeptical about church lately, I understand. But maybe this isn’t a sign to pull away. Maybe it’s a sign to lean in—to help reimagine what the Church can be.
Let’s be a church that’s known not just for preserving the past but for boldly stepping into the future.
Let’s be a church where every gift is an investment in people.
Where every act of generosity helps someone take a step closer to Jesus.
Where every prayer, every story, and every offering points beyond ourselves—to a God who gave everything for us.
That’s a church worth giving to. That’s a mission worth living for.
See you Sunday at 10:00 AM.
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