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The Financial Ministry of Joanna
Brian Mashburn
July 16, 2017
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The Financial Ministry of Joanna
"It's not just about writing a check."
Perhaps you've heard this phrase before. I know I have. I'm sure I've said it before. It's not an inappropriate phrase, or a bad phrase, or an untrue phrase (at least in the instances that I've heard it used). As a matter of fact, it is usually an effective reminder to us of something very, very important - especially in regards to our Christian lives...
Get involved.
When someone says this phrase, they are usually calling for hands-on, personal engagement from people. More to the point, they are addressing that there may be some people who gladly give their money to ministry in order to avoid or hide from giving time, or energy, or relationship. Truly, it is important for us to remember that the giving of our lives to Christ is so much more than just giving our money to support other people's ministry.
That said, this line of thinking may have the unintended side effect of diminishing the act of giving our money to support other people's ministry.
Our minor character today is a woman who scripture exalts precisely because she did give her money to support other people in their ministry.
Her name is Joanna. We know precious little about her, but one thing we know is that the apostles of Jesus would not have been able to do their ministry without her.
Why? Because she supported them out of her own means. Talk about a minor character who made a major impact, she even supported Jesus himself and his ministry.
I am so thankful to her. And to all who have followed in her example by "just" writing a check.