Kingdom Builders

Cindy and I sat in the design center of Henry Fisher builders in Ft Thomas, Kentucky nearly twenty years ago. We had signed a contract to build a house and found ourselves at that moment of decision confronted with a myriad of choices on everything from doorknobs to kitchen cabinets to the color and style of brick for the exterior. So many possibilities...so many decisions!

Where does one begin in such a process? Fortunately, the consultant reminded us that it was best to build...one brick, one cabinet, one doorknob at a time. This measured approach gave proper perspective for each decision. The whole process went much more smoothly than I anticipated and ultimately, the finished product was something we were very pleased with.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be Kingdom builders. This transformational calling challenges us to use our talents wisely, offering the gifts of ourselves and our resources generously so that the Creator God will be praised and lives will be touched and changed. Called to such a task, we join together with others to maximize our efforts and work together as good stewards of God's blessing. When we work together, we do build the Kingdom, one gift...one person at a time.

This Sunday we will gather to worship the living God whose grace and mercy empowers our stewardship. During the service, we will commit ourselves anew to faithful financial giving, that the work and ministry of Westwood Baptist Church might not only continue, but also thrive. There are many things to do, many opportunities to maximize, many choices to make. Like sitting in a design center and considering the possibilities of building a home, we find ourselves anticipating the start of a new calendar year with many possibilities for Kingdom building. You received a letter a week or so ago that contained a commitment card with an envelope. You were asked to pray and consider what God would have you do through your financial giving to help build the Kingdom during the coming year. I hope you have prayerfully considered the possibilities and chosen well how you will participate in the unified budget for 2013. I also hope that you will fill out that card, place it in the envelope provided, and bring it with you to worship Sunday morning. Together you and I can, and I believe will, make a difference for the Kingdom of God...one gift at a time.

Let us remember the words of the Psalmist who wrote, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." Ours is a shared calling, built on the love of Almighty God, expressed in the faithful living and giving of God's people. Let us work and worship together, truly offering ourselves for the building of God's Kingdom, one gift at a time.

I look forward to joining you as we gather this Sunday to honor the living Lord in worship and commitment.

Jim Abernathy