Shut Down
The “shut-down” ended today. Our Government often acts like a 4th grade classroom trying to divide up the power and resources with every single individual getting exactly what they want of both. That won’t work in the 4th grade, and it won’t work in a Democratic Republic.
I never cease to be amazed that the United States Government operates its financial business on a “short-term to short-term” basis. One would think the United States of America would have a real budget with real line items that are overseen by people who know what they are doing and how to do it, for a long term – for example, a year.
On the third day of the shutdown, the Senate voted 81-18 on a short-term continuing resolution to fund the government through Feb. 8, . . . (TIME)
We will now have a Government that will be financially viable until February 8th. Following which, there will be another “crisis” and another “short-term” fix. What genius must lie within the walls of Congress. Makes one wonder how the vast majority of Congress persons have managed to remain “in-charge” for years and years and years.
Imagine if we tried to operate a successful Church on such a plan. Everyone gets exactly what they want – a new building, better staff, shorter sermons, more free lunches and dinners, fantastic activities for kids, the best youth program in the World, out-reach via every possible means from 4 color brochures to Television, and a 35 year old, handsome, winsome pastor with 50 years of experience.
Some folks would have to cough up a lot more money.
But God is wiser than Congressmen. . .and Presidents. His plan in this matter is at least two-fold (I will let the theological scholars give us all the rest of the plan and make an attempt to prove me simple-minded), and it is simply this: 1) get your heart right with God ( Philippians 3:7-10), and, 2) purpose in your heart to do what He would have you do financially (2 Corinthians 9:7). Period, paragraph.
I have never seen a Church in financial difficulty that followed that plan well. Perhaps it is because His plans are perfect. ‘Ya think?