Setting Our Minds on What Is Right

Any church active in mission and visionary in ministry faces the challenge of catching up as the year moves towards it end. That was true before the pandemic, though the pandemic added to the challenge. If I find a church that easily meets it financial goals, I would not be very attracted to it. I would ask,
· “Don’t you know how much need there is in our world?”
· “Are most of the people in the congregation giving 10% or more of their income?”
· “Why aren’t you calling people to grow in generosity?”

Over decades of pastoring, I have developed some deep convictions and strong preferences about these matters. No passage of the Bible has instructed me as much as 2 Corinthians 8-9. This Sunday we look at the middle section of these two chapters. At the heart of this section is this statement that grabs my attention: “for we are setting our minds on what is right not only before the Lord but also before the people.” (verse 21) What will it mean for Perinton Presbyterian to set its mind on what is right before the Lord and before the people?

SDG, Pastor Harry

Scriptures for this Sunday: 2 Corinthians 8:16-24. This passage is one section of a larger section of 2 Corinthians, chapters 8-9, which is a unit of thought. Laura preached last Sunday from 8:1-15 and will again on November 20 from chapter 9. It is wise to read the whole unit, which doesn’t take long and forms the New Testament’s longest section on generosity.