The Most Important Christmas Tradition
Edward D Lacey
Dear Friends,
‘Tis the season for the celebration of Christ’s birth and many cherished family traditions like Santa. I have loved Christmas since I was a small child. We still have black and white photos of our family gatherings. They look so happy, but almost all the adults present on that day are all gone. Yet, these precious memories remain vivid in my mind.
But let’s face it. December also a month when almost every charity and non-profit organization in the country asks for contributions. Why? Well, one reason is because our tax law motivates giving at the end of the year. Cartecay Baptist Family is among those asking the Lord’s people to be generous again this year. Our motivation is not the US tax law, but the love of God who so loved us that He gave His only begotten (only one of his kind), for us. Actually, I've long felt that the most sacrificial gift we give should be our gift to God. Phyllis and I do this through the annual Lottie Moon Christmas offering for International Missions.
Frankly, I think Baptists operate by a more restrictive set of guidelines than any organization of which I am aware. Here are some self-imposed “rules” that you can take to the bank.
1. The Lord has apparently chosen to place His mantle of approval on our world-wide ministry, so it is incumbent upon us to devote every resource, blessing, and ounce of energy to carrying out our Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).
2. One of the ways we discern the Lord's will regarding the continuation of our work is through the support He sends (or doesn't send) from His people. Therefore, during lean times we will make our obligations known to our friends—but we will not squirm, scratch or beg for contributions. We will never resort to what we consider to be disrespectful and dishonorable methods of fund-raising, even when the needs are serious.
3. We ask our people not to support any Christian program until their tithing obligations to the local church have been met. It is the first line of defense for the family of God.
4. We will not operate our ministry at a deficit. However, from time to time it is necessary to borrow funds for capital expenditures. When that occurs, we will seek to repay the loan as soon as possible. Cartecay Baptists have not had to borrow anything in our last eight years, and our Treasurer, Deacons, and Finance Committee continue to audit and approve each transaction. Unbudgeted expenditures are approved by the church at regular monthly meetings.
5. We consider the contributions we receive to be "blood money"—sent from loving supporters who have sacrificed to make their gifts possible. Our obligation, therefore, is to spend that money conservatively and wisely as possible in continuing our ministry. We have no limousines or airplanes or condos in Hawaii. Every penny is stretched as far as possible to serve the needs of God's work around the world.
6. We will receipt all non-monetary donations showing the fair market value, in accordance with IRS requirements.
7. When we make a purchase, we will pay the invoice within 30 days, if possible. We do not intend to use "OPM" (other people's money).
8. We will not be primarily a fund-raiser. While tithing is God's only plan for financing His kingdom work, by faith we will say as little as possible about giving. Perpetual asking for contributions is odious to us.
9. Our ministry will respect the confidence of our members and contributors, and we will maintain tight security on our records of friends and supporters.
10. We will try to remember always that Jesus Christ is our possessor and our dispossessor. He ordained and blesses our ministry, and it belongs entirely to Him.
Our pledge to you is that we will continue to follow these principles to the letter, and that we will use your contributions judiciously to advance the cause of Christ. To do anything less would be to stand accountable someday for the trust placed in us by our members and friends. The way we raise and spend money is one of the best measures of our integrity and accountability to God.
Thank you all for your support throughout this year. We appreciate that kindness more than I can say.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
