by Dr. Paul Chappell

"Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

God wants to touch lives and see people changed through your church, but He wants you to help.

The flight pattern of geese is an interesting study. If you've ever seen them flying, you'll notice they travel together in a V formation. There are four major practices the geese perform while flying to help each other:

-They rotate their leader. When the lead goose gets tired, it moves to the back of the formation and another goose flies point.
-Each goose creates an updraft for the goose behind them. The V formation creates an air current by the way each goose flaps its wings. It's estimated that by flying in formation, each bird gets seventy-one percent more flying range than if it flew alone.
-If one goose is sick or wounded, two geese fly down with it and stay beside it until it's well enough to fly again.
-When flying, the geese in the back honk to let the lead goose know that things are fine in the rear.

Geese work together to make sure everyone in the formation makes it to the destination safe and sound. They don't think of their own desires or destination, but form one body by working together. By doing so, they have greater success than flying solo.

Just as geese come together and give of themselves to form a stronger body, so the habit of the church has been-for all to join together to benefit the cause of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul talks about the church at Macedonia and how even in their poverty they gave willingly unto God's work. "For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves." Even beyond what they could physically give, they were willing to give as much as they could.

As members of a church, we have a responsibility to do all we can to help promote God's work through our church. One way God wants to use us in His work is through our giving. Christ is working through the church in our day, and as we see other churches close their doors due to struggles, we must be more faithful than ever in our giving.

God wants to reach people through the bus ministry, but He wants you to help by supplying funds for the busses through giving. God wants to see children saved and learn of Him while they're young, but He wants you to help provide coloring pages, snacks, and Bibles for them through your giving. God wants to help young couples ground their marriage on His Word, but He wants you to help provide books, materials, and retreats through your giving. God wants to touch lives and see people changed through your church, but He wants you to help.

Will you help God make a difference in your church by faithfully giving back to Him what He's given you? As you commit to giving to God, look around at the people being helped by your church and thank God He allows you to be a part of His work.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 49-50 | Romans 1