May 10, 2007
One of the attendees at our Visitors Information Class last week told me about finding a $20 dollar bill in the church. It was one of his very first Sundays to visit and he saw it just lying on the floor. It was folded neatly and he was sure that someone had prepared it for putting into the offering plate. He asked all those around him if it was theirs and then, with no takers, placed it in the offering plate at the service he attended.
It really bothered him that someone had planned to put that $20 bill in the offering plate but did not know that the mission was accomplished. He was hoping that there was some way that I could get the word out. So here it is: if you lost a $20 bill that was destined for the offering plate, please know that it was found and fully invested in the ministries of Christ Church.
There are potential problems with this announcement. For instance, I can envision someone coming to the office and telling us it was their $20 bill and they would like credit on their giving statement. We would have no cause to doubt them whatsoever, but I'm not sure what the IRS rules are. Or, even more problematic, what if someone came forward and told us they lost a $20 bill, but that it was not headed for the offering plate and they want it back. What would we do? I'm beginning to wonder whether or not I should have started this column.
I'm going to end on faith. I feel fairly confident that, if that was your $20 bill, and regardless of your original intentions, you are more than happy that it has now been invested in the ministries of our church. I just know that is the case. Just as I know that I'm going to have to endure a whole host of smart guys coming by and claiming credit for it on Sunday!
