The Blessing of Generosity

RON HAMILTON, CCCC CONFERENCE MINISTER

Giving to the CCCC reached a record high in 2020. This is amazing in light of the stressful times that we have been through with the COVID-19 pandemic and a year of great unrest. These times have tested the life and ministry of our pastors and churches. Yet, the membership of the Conference responded with generous giving to support the work of the CCCC. We thank the Lord for your faithfulness and praise the Lord for this provision.

This giving puts our fellowship in a strong financial position in which all of our bills are paid, and all of our accounts are fully funded. But the blessings of your gifts go far beyond financial stability. Your generous contributions make it possible for us to resource our membership with support, encouragement, and training.

I was on the Comprehensive Campaign Committee that was formed in 2010 to develop a 5-year strategy for financial development. This committee has a recurring discussion about helping our members move from thinking about giving as “paying dues” to supporting ministry. Dues are obligatory. Generosity is inspired by God.

The apostle Paul was instrumental in taking an offering for the needy believers in Jerusalem. He circulated letters and provided teaching about generosity as he sought these gifts. He provided a great lesson on generosity when he said,

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11)

This lesson on generosity helped givers understand that God gave them resources to share, that giving of those resources would meet the needs of people, and the receivers of the gifts would praise the Lord for His provision in their lives.

In a similar way, your generous giving results in “thanksgiving to God” throughout the Conference. After hearing reports of our ministry staff at meetings earlier this month, many of our Board members shared that this is an exciting time to be a part of this fellowship. Our ministry priorities of Church Development, Church Multiplication and Conference Care are thriving. Pastors are being trained and encouraged. Churches are taking advantage of resources to strengthen their ministry of “making disciples”. New churches are being started and struggling churches are being restarted.

Words of thanksgiving are springing up across our fellowship! This is directly related to the faithful support and generous giving of our membership. God is using your gifts to make a Kingdom difference in these times of great need. Thanks be to God!