Editorial
JAMES E. COSSEY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
GOD MUST
COME FIRST
M
AJOR CORPORATIONS on can’t see where tomorrow’s resources will
almost every continent are come from. God’s requirements are actu-
experiencing losses and ally quite reasonable: acknowledge that it
proposing cutbacks and is all His, return the first tenth to Him up
realignment. Some say front, bless His work and needy situations
that American unemployment may soar with gifts above the tithe, and then let
–Even in
higher than 10 percent by mid-2009, and Him multiply and bless the remainder.
government leaders say we can look for- Dear Sister Bryant, whom I pastored
ward to red ink for some time to come. many years ago, said, “You can have
Uncertain
According to the Wall Street Journal this is God’s blessing on 90 cents or God’s curse
a global recession, and not a problem on a dollar. Which do you want?”
Times!
peculiar to the United States. A wealthy man had passed away, and
It is reported that church property two construction workers observed the
foreclosures in America were higher last funeral procession. Said one to the other,
EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT
year than in the previous 20 and that giv- “How much [money] do you think he left
ing was down roughly 15 percent across his family?” To which the other quickly
ME THAT FAITHFULNESS
all denominational lines. These are diffi- quipped, “He left them all of it.” Here’s
IN STEWARDSHIP IS MOST
cult days. To admit such is not a negative the fact: “We brought nothing into this
confession; it is a statement of reality and world, and it is certain we can carry
IMPORTANT WHEN TIMES
an acknowledgment of a tremendous nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7). The person
ARE HARD AND MONEY IS opportunity for God’s people to prove beneath the most elaborate tombstone
SCARCE. ANYBODY CAN BE
God and see if He will not open the win- possesses no more than those in
dows of heaven and pour out a blessing unmarked plots, and those buried in
FAITHFUL WHEN FUNDS ARE
(Malachi 3:10). paupers’ graves are as wealthy (in this
FLOURISHING, BUT CHRIST
This issue of the Evangel is dedicated world’s goods) as deceased nobility.
to biblical stewardship as a reminder to Yes, these are economically hard
AND HIS WORK SHOULD BE
each of us that God is the ultimate owner times. But most of what we are fretting
FOREMOST TO US EVEN of everything (Psalm 24:1-2). When all is ourselves over is just stuff. The only last-
WHEN WE CAN’T SEE WHERE
said and done, biblical stewardship isn’t ing investment of which we can be total-
about what we give to God, but rather ly certain is what we place in the work of
TOMORROW’S RESOURCES
about what He has entrusted to our care. His kingdom: “Seek first the kingdom of
WILL COME FROM.
When asked, “How much of your money God and His righteousness, and all these
belongs to God?” many Christians reply, things shall be added to you” (Matthew
“Ten percent.” Wrong answer! It all 6:33, NKJV).
You are invited to visit the online
belongs to Him, and we are but stewards God never promised to supply all
Evangel site at www.onlineevangel.org
over His possessions. our wants, but He did promise to supply
and my personal blog at
www.jecossey.blogspot.com
Experience has taught me that faith- our needs (Philippians 4:19). If we have
(NOTE: Views expressed on my blog are
fulness in stewardship is most important faith, family, friends, and food, we are
my personal views and do not, in any
when times are hard and money is scarce. blessed. David said, “I have not seen the
way, speak officially for the Church of
Anybody can be faithful when funds are righteous forsaken nor his descendants
God or the Church of God Evangel).
flourishing, but Christ and His work begging bread” (Psalm 37:25, NKJV).
should be foremost to us even when we Neither have I.
EVANGEL • MAR 2009 3
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36