Exodus 38:21-31 Every material used for the tabernacle was meticulously recorded and examined for accounting. What can I learn about how I ought to spend my life, time, money and energy as a Christian? Am I good steward of the resources provided by the church?
Seeing from this text how the people gave lavishly, freely and spontaneously all their resources to build the tabernacle, I am reminded of our church in action. As we're raising funds through Element Café for the youth and various other ways, I see how similar this picture is to the members of our congregation again. Week after week, our youth are there selling coffee, and sure enough, there are people who continue to purchase from Element Café regardless of the same old pastries we sell every week. They come, and they continue to support the youth generously and freely. though they are free to purchase better pastries and better coffee down the street each morning, they come and tell me, even almost apologetically, "Oh man, I almost forgot about Element Cafe this morning and almost went to Mudrakers today. I'm so glad i remembered to come here." Or others will say, "I'm so glad you have this cafe now. Now i can spend my money here and better yet, know that it's going to help support the youth." The deliberate effort people have made to support our youth every morning, the willingness of everyone to help out and purchase whatever we sell; this is something that our youth should not take for granted from the members of our congregation. They need to see the generous giving our members do to support each and one of them, not only from Element Café, but through the various fundraisers we've done the past 3 years. From all the Sunday lunches, to the yard sales, to the Italian sodas, to smoothies, to even helping the youth recycle, they have helped support the youth so much and as long as we continue to have mission trips for youth, these fundraisers are never ending! I don't think our youth realize how rare it is that they have so much support from such a young congregation as us.