I've noticed that despite good attendance at services and great enthusiasm for our various projects, we have not given sufficiently in recent months to make budget. Oh, we're not missing it by much, but every week, little by little, we fall behind in our giving.

In order to encourage us to bear down in this area, I'd like to remind you of a few things concerning our offerings here at Choctaw:

1. WE NEED EVERY CENT. A church budget is not like a business where there is a “profit" left over at the end of the year. We have a zero balance system where we budget exactly for our expenses each year. Not making budget literally means that we will not be able to pay our bills. Let's not be poor stewards in the eyes of unbelievers.
2. WE CAN DO IT. Our congregation is constantly growing in numbers and our budget is roughly the same as it was in the previous year. Do the math – more people, less money. What's wrong with this picture?
3. LOVE COSTS MONEY. Every ministry we are involved in requires financing in some way. Even Jesus required money to carry on His ministry (Luke 8:3). Don't see the budget as only finance; realize that it is your way of being involved in every ministry.

We have 4 Sundays left to finish the year and we are $3,000.00 short. Let's increase our personal giving by 20% and “make budget" for 1998.