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1976 was the bicentennial year for the United States. It was also year number one of recovery from a three-year recession, during which 2.3 million Americans lost their jobs. This was a post-World War II record, which only punctuated the impact felt by tens of millions of people.
Remember that last time we spoke on the phone? Don’t worry if you can’t remember. I do.
Here’s what you said to me about your church’s giving.
Article Type: Ask a Planner
Question: I would like to give farming equipment in a way that benefits both my church and my favorite ministries. What’s the best way to accomplish this?
Answer: The Stewards Fund (Barnabas Foundation’s donor-advised fund) provides you a streamlined solution for giving to multiple ministries. You can give property and/or cash into a single charitable giving account, and then you can recommend grants be made from that account to your church and other favorite charities.
Article Type: A Message From the Director
I just love being around farmers! It probably stems from my work as a child on a tractor.
The Bible is full of verses and parables about agriculture, and the “law of the harvest” is one of my favorites. I’ve found the wisdom of “you reap what you sow” applies to every single area of life.
Article Type: Pastor to Pastor
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (John 6:27, NIV)
I saw it this morning, while walking my dog. An hour before daybreak, the shadowy figure of a coyote disappeared and re-appeared between the streetlights just ahead of us. After my dog let out a nervous huff, it stopped, turned to stare at us, and then kept trotting ahead.
Article Type: Life Stories
Why Gifting Farm Equipment Proved a “Win-Win” Solution for Gary Teerink
Farming isn’t just a job for Gary Teerink. It’s his family’s legacy. A third-generation farmer, Gary has seen the Lord’s provision throughout his 80 years on the farm in Worthington, MN, originally started by his grandfather.
“The Lord has really blessed me and my brother,” says Gary
Q: Can I give stock to my church?
A: Yes! Most gifts received by churches and other charities are in the form of cash, even though this is not always the most tax-efficient way to give.
Article Type: General Articles
Know a person who “has it all”? Got a name? A face?
What else can be said about a person who only gets green lights and open doors? It seems they always have more followers, dollars and points than you.
Deep down, you don’t really believe any singular person has it all. So, why do we still let that person bug us?
Article Type: Life Stories
How Roger and Audrey Otten Share the Light in Their Community
If you want to catch the Ottens, you’d better call early in the morning. Each at the age of 90, Roger and Audrey are on the move every day.
Connecting and investing in the community is how the Ottens have spent their 67 years of married life together.
“We think it’s important,” states Rog.
“Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:23, NIV)
Check your sermon file on this passage; my guess is you’ve got at least a few. That’s because preachers have to wrestle with this hard saying of Jesus — especially in a capitalistic context.
Here’s my granular take on why Jesus says it’s so hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven.