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What is "Charitable" Giving?

9/14/2021

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The Government of Canada allows registered charities to issue official tax receipts for charitable giving.  This is carefully regulated and every charity is required to file a "charity return" on an annual basis in order to comply with and continue issuing charitable receipts.

While charitable giving is never the motivation for giving, it is helpful to know that the Government of Canada supports charities by allowing charities to issue tax receipts which will then result in approximately 35% of the donation being returned to the donor (by way of a reduction on their annual income tax).

But that leads to the question... what qualifies as a charitable contribution (for tax purposes)?  That is the question this post will attempt to answer.  This is not a "legal" answer... it is only a summary to the best of my knowledge.

Let's look at some examples of what qualifies and what does not qualify.

A general (unrestricted) donation to the church will always be considered a charitable contribution.   This would include any tithes or offerings that are not designated to anyone or anything in particular.  Furthermore, donations to our building fund would also be considered a charitable contribution.

A donation to a mission or ministry that the church supports; provided that mission or ministry is also a charity, qualifies as a charitable donation.  For example, you might want to send a donation to Wycliffe or to Avant Ministries.  You can certainly send it directly to those ministries; or you can send it to the church earmarked for those ministries.  Because those ministries are charities themselves, we will process your donation, send it off to the respective organization, and we will be the ones to send you a tax receipt at the end of the year.

Likewise, donations to ministries within the Church of the Nazarene are also charitable contributions.  For example, donations to the Thanksgiving Offering (for World Evangelism) or the Alabaster Offering or any other Nazarene offering or missions project are all charitable contributions.

What is NOT a charitable contribution is donations made to a specific individual.  For example, let's say you want to bless one of your pastors with a gift of $100.   That is very kind of you (and thank you, by the way); but that is not a charitable contribution because it is for an individual who is not a charity themselves.  It is not treated any different than, say, you gave that $100 directly to one of the pastors.  The benefit of giving it through the church would be that your gift would be anonymous to the pastor involved, but it wouldn't be a charitable contribution.

You might want to give a financial gift to a missionary.  That is also not a charitable contribution if you are giving it (even through the church) for the individual's personal use.  If on the other hand, you are giving it to that individual's missionary work, or deputation fund (and not to the individual themself) then it is a charitable contribution.

For example, you might want to bless Nora with a $100 gift.  You give those funds to us and we send those funds to Nora. That is not a charitable contribution.  However, if you earmark a $100 donation to Nora's Wycliffe Ministry (and we send that money, on your behalf, to Wycliffe for Nora's ministry) then it is a charitable contribution.

What about benevolence giving?  From time to time there are special needs and we would like to help out people through a difficult situation.  Here's how that works.  If you are giving a donation to the church's Benevolence Fund, that is definitely a charitable contribution... but do keep in mind that the donation is to the fund, not to any particular individual.  If you earmark it for a particular individual, it is no longer a charitable contribution.   By giving to the Benevolence Fund you are leaving it up to the discretion of the church board to use the funds to help individuals that the Board determines.  If you are directing your funds to a specific person, then that is not a charitable contribution.

What about fundraising events?  For example, we sometimes have a baked goods auction.  We have seen some cakes auctioned for $100 or more (who can resist Lindsy's cakes?).  This is a little more tricky because the cakes definitely have value (you are getting something back for your $100), but the cake doesn't usually sell for $100 either (in other words, you are being generous).  In this case, the value of the cake is deducted from your donation.and the balance is considered a charitable contribution.  So, for example, the cake might be valued at $40; but you give $100 for it.  We would issue you a tax receipt for $60 in this example.

There is also the question about services in lieu of a donation.  These are not charitable contributions.  For example, we need an electrician to do about $500 of labour for us.  Mr. (or Mrs.) Nice Electrician does the work and does not charge us.  That is very kind (and appreciated) but we can not issue a charitable receipt for that.  If on the other hand, Mr. (or Mrs.) Nice Electrician bills us $500 (and we pay them $500), then they can give us back $500 (because, after all, they are nice), then we can give them a chartiable receipt for that $500.

Finally, I should mention "gifts in kind".  These are usually physical items that have a value and are donated to the church.  Gifts in kind are charitable contributions.... but only to the actual value they have (at the time of donation) and only if the church is actually looking for and wanting that item.  For example, the church might be looking for a video camera and you just bought a video camera two months ago and decided to donate it to the church.  You can give it to the church and we can issue you a tax receipt for the value of that camera.  On the other hand, you might have a computer that you paid $2,000 for about two years ago.  We are not looking for a computer, and that computer is definitely not valued at $2,000 anymore; so we would not issue you a charitable contribution receipt for that gift.

The rules for a charitable contribution are very specific and are there to safeguard the system so that it is not misued and continues to benefit charities. I do hope this helps clarify questions you may have.  If you need any more information, please do contact the church office.
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Electronic Giving - Here to Stay

11/17/2020

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It seems that with a growing number of people who have been choosing to make electonic contributions to the church, I thought I would take a few moments to describe the options and the pros/cons for each one so that you can decide what is best for you.

Essentially (right now) there are three options.

1. eTransfer
eTransfer is a direct transfer of funds from your online banking to the Church of the Nazarene bank account.  Any eTransfer to "whitehorsenazarene@gmail.com" is automatically deposited into the church account and the church office receives an email stating that you have made a transfer.

Because this email account is set up with the bank already; you will not need to enter a security question and answer for the transfer.  It will be automatic.  It will be automatically deposited to our account.  No one (at our end) needs to "accept" the transfer and there is no cost (to the church) for receiving your transfer.  It is easy and it is quick.

Most eTransfers will be for "tithes" however, you are most welcome to include "offerings" as well.  If there is no "note" we will assume it is your tithes.  However, if you wish to add a contribution to a special offering, you can specify it (or the portion of it) in the "note" section before finalizing your eTransfer.

Once the eTransfer is received, the church office prints out a report that shows your name and the transferred amount.  This is then entered into our "contributions" database, which later issues you a tax receipt.

2. Credit Card: Tithe.ly
Tithe.ly is a church specific credit card option.  If you wish to use a credit card, and if you don't mind NOT being anonymous, and especially if you would like to give a contribution by credit card regularly.... "tithe.ly" is your best option for a couple of reasons:

a) for YOU there is a "tithe.ly" app that you can download.  Once you set it up and choose the Whitehorse Church of the Nazarene, you can open the app, press a button or two, and make a donation virtually on the spot.  Once it is set up, it takes only seconds to make a contribution. If you are in church, the app will recognize your location; but you can make a donation from any location.  This is probably the easiest way to give (regularly) with credit card.

b) for US, the fee we are charged from "tithe.ly" is a little lower than the alternative (which we will look at next).  The fee is not a big deal.  We are quite prepared to absorb the fee for either credit card service... but this one is just a fraction lower.

3. Credit Card: Canada Helps
Canada Helps also offers charities the benefit of receiving donations through credit card.  There is no fee to you and the fee to us is just a fraction more than the alternative.  Canada Helps will charge us a flat 4% of your contribution.

The advantage of Canada Helps is that you can issue your contribution 100% anonymously (to us) and STILL get a tax receipt.  How is that possible?  Because our charity is registered with Canada Helps and THEY will issue you the tax receipt.  So when someone gives through Canada Helps they can indicate their name (if they wish) or make their contribution anonymous.  Either way, the tax receipt is issued from them, not us.  We will not issue a tax receipt for any contributions made through Canada Helps because they issue it.

LINKS
  • ​Canada Helps donations through a website.
  • Tithe.ly donations through a website.
  • Tithe.ly app for Apple Phones & Tablets.
  • Tithe.ly app for Android Phones & Tablets.

Please be aware that MORE than the actual financial contribution (as much as that is appreciated), your faithfulness to the Lord is the top priority.

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Tithes & Offerings

10/20/2020

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Picture
​One of the "traditions" for Nazarenes around the world is to give to a special offering. These offerings can be a real source of blessing.

​One question that often comes up is how is an "offering" different than the "tithe"?

Good question!

Biblically, the tithe is a tenth portion of one's increase that is given to the Lord. In the Old Testament, this was a requirement. In the New Testament, it is not a "requirement of the law" (at least, not the written law), but a response of love.

Does that mean I don't need to give a tithe?

This might sound self-serving, but I truly believe it (and practice it myself); that the law of love doesn't even consider that question. Seeing how Jesus compares the law of love to the written law (the law of love always goes beyond the requirements of the written law); it would seem that the old written law is a starting point for even greater response (not less).The question that love asks is not how little I can give, but how much I can give. (I’ve sometimes said that giving 10% is for beginners - because that is the starting point).

That's where the "offering" comes in. The offering is a contribution, over and above the "tithe" that is usually given for a special purpose. While the "tithe" is for the general ministries of the church; the "offering" can be for anything one desires to give toward.

It could be the Alabaster Offering (used to help fund the purchase of land or building materials for missions projects); it could be some other ministry or missionary that I support. It could be the Thanksgiving Offering (for World Evangelism). It could be to a building fund or a benevolence fund or any number of things.

For us in the Church of the Nazarene, we usually collect an Easter Offering (in the spring) and a Thanksgiving Offering (in the fall) both for world evangelism. These offerings will go 100% over and above what our church is already committed to giving to world missions. The World Evangelism Fund is the "bread and butter" of our missionary work.

What happens to the "tithe"?

The tithe is used for the ongoing ministry of the local church and our portion of the ongoing ministry of the district and the global church. We believe that when God's people are faithful in giving their tithes, then the needs of the church will be met. That is why we don't actually collect special offerings for our own needs; nor do we engage in fundraising for our ongoing ministry. This is also why we don't charge a fee for anything that we provide, whether it is books or meals or whatever else. In fact, in my 33+years that God has given me in Whitehorse, I know of only one occasion when we charged a fee to participate in something (and that was done, not for the money, but to reserve seats for those who really wanted to come). We are able to provide what we do without added cost because we believe the source of income for the church is the tithe; and people have been very faithful in giving their tithes.

Are there more offerings coming up?

There are always special offerings coming up. We don't apologize for that because we don't "push" them either. We simply let people know that there are these needs, beyond our own local church needs, and we give you an opportunity to give an "offering" towards it. If you can, great. If you can't, that's fine. No shame in that. Give as the Lord enables you.
What are some of those offerings?

Let's see.... without thinking too hard... (and I'm sure I'll miss some) we usually receive these offerings throughout the year:
  • Thanskgiving Offering (for World Evangelism)
  • Compassionate Ministries Offering (usually in December - but also any time there is a global need).
  • Alabaster Offering (in February and September)
  • Easter Offering (also for World Evangelism)
  • Deputation Offering (when we have a visiting missionary - for a project they want to undertake)

So there you have it... a summary of what our "tithes" and "offerings" are all about.
​
Thank you so much for your continued faithfulness. If you have any questions, we are always delighted to provide information.
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The Bible & Money - Biblical principles to live by

3/30/2016

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​Last fall, the Globe and Mail had the headline story, "Canadian household debt hits record high as consumer spending rises."  It went on to talk about "Canadians’ growing love affair with debt."  With nearly $80 billion in just credit card debt alone, the average Canadian does indeed have a love affair with debt, owing $1.65 for every $1.00 he/she has in disposable income.  People are in desperate financial straits – perhaps more than any time in recent history.
 
The cause for this dismal financial picture is often limited income; which makes sense; if we had “unlimited income” we wouldn’t have a financial problem.  However, I am convinced that more often than not, the greater problem is not limited income, but unlimited expense.  At every turn, we are bombarded with a compulsion for more!  We want bigger, newer, faster, brighter, etc, and there is always the option to buy now, pay later.
 
What I’d like to do in this Perspective is outline several Biblical principles on the topic of money.  Jesus did speak more about money than any other subject besides the “Kingdom of God.”  Jesus talked more about money than he did Heaven and Hell combined.  Eleven of the 39 parables He tells are about finances.
 
Why does Jesus talk about money so much?  Because He knows what kind of an impact it will have on our spiritual lives.  Yes, money is a spiritual issue.  Jesus said it himself, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21).
 
Rather than say what you should or shouldn’t do, I believe that if we follow these Biblical principles we will do well in the area of finances.  Doesn’t mean we will “get rich”, but it will certainly put us on the right path both economically and spiritually.  Regardless of whether you are well off, or in financial need, whether you are in retirement or a student, these principles will help us stay on track.
 
Principle #1: Trust in God.
 
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Sooner or later, experience shows us that putting your trust in the economy, your employer, or your bank account is not a good idea.  They are not dependable. They can seem to be a great help one moment, but the next moment everything gets changed.
 
Our American friends put it on their currency: "In God We Trust".  Whether people live by that or not is a different story; but it’s a good reminder that even while we are holding money in our hands, that ultimately our hope is in God, not in money.
 
This is an important principle, for it lays the groundwork for all the rest.  It is God who we depend on.  That’s one of the reasons why God gave the people in the Old Testament the command for a Sabbath rest.  Not only was the Sabbath a day to rest physically, the reason for the rest was so that mankind would learn to put their trust in God.  For six days they would labour and toil.  For six days they would earn their living, ensuring that they have bread for that day.  But on the Sabbath, they rested. Why?  In order to be reminded that they depend on God. 
 
Yes, we go to work, we take responsibility, we do what we can – but we do so with an understanding that it is God who will supply all our needs.  Incidentally, this is also why we stay away from lotteries and other games of chance; we do not want to put our hope in “luck”.  We put our trust in God.
 
Principle #2: Don’t love Money.
 
1 Timothy 6:10 says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

It's important to clarify that the root of all evil is NOT money... it is the love of money. Money is not evil.   Having money, and even lots of it, is not evil.  God has been known to pour out blessings, even financial blessings, on some.  The problem is the love of money; and the love of money has led many people astray.
 
The problem with the love of money (besides it being idolatry) is that when we pursue it; that is, when we set money as the goal of life, we end up hurting ourselves - and most likely others as well, in the process.  Many people have been hurt by the notion of getting rich quick.  Others have taken advantage of others in their pursuit of money.  Still others have forfeited integrity in order to acquire wealth.   The love of money has been the downfall of many relationships.  It blinds people and causes them to do what they otherwise would not.  In many ways, its rather intoxicating – which is why Jesus said it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  The more you have, the easier it is to get off track.  It’s not impossible to stay on track – it’s just more difficult.  We guard against that by keeping an “arms length” relationship with money.  In the end, money isn’t to be loved, it is a tool to be used for the honor and glory of God.

Principle #3: Give Generously.

“There he goes…. talking about giving…. doesn’t he know that’s an Old Testament law?”
 
It is true; Malachi 3:10 does say, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
 
This an Old Testament command.  Aren’t we now living under grace?  Absolutely.  However, living under grace gives us greater responsibility, not less responsibility.  Put another way; what we do under “grace” should far outweigh what we did under “law”, and we clearly see this in the teachings of Jesus.
 
Several times, in Matthew 5, we find Jesus saying, "You have heard that it was said... but I tell you...."  In each instance, Jesus pointed to an Old Testament law, and the pointed to how they needed to surpass that law.  In concluding that section in Matthew, Jesus said, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).  It is very obvious that under grace we need to do better than the law. 

One way we do better is by giving generously.  Acts 20:35  "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"

Giving sets us free, while hoarding entraps us (James 5:2).  Giving changes the lives of others (John 3:16). Giving brings blessing back to us (Luke 6:38).  Giving allows us to store up treasures in Heaven rather than here on the earth (Matthew 19:21). Giving really is fun – we need to be in on it.  It is one of the best ways to keep the love of money in check!

Giving isn't just for individuals.  It applies for the church as well.  In 2014-2015 our local church gave away 29.9% of our contributions.  Incredible!  I remember a time when we didn’t have $100 to buy Sunday School materials.  Yet, this past year we gave away MORE money than what our donations were 10 years ago.

The truth of the matter is that giving 10% is just a starting point.  I like to think of it as a beginner’s tithe.  It’s a starting point.  I am so grateful to parents who taught me to tithe at a young age.  It has never been a burden and always a blessing.  God has shown himself faithful time and time again.

Above our tithe, we need to be generous in all our giving; whether that’s helping out a neighbor or a family member or in a special missions offering.  We will never go wrong in being generous.  People will forget your words, but they will remember your actions.
 
Principle #4: Stay out of debt.
 
Proverbs 22:7 reminds us, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
 
When you owe someone money; you are in effect their servant. Now, there's nothing wrong with being a servant - we should be servants - all of us - but we're talking about something else here - we're talking about owing - and when we owe, we are in essence going to work for someone else's behalf.
 
Perhaps the best way to put this is to suggest that going into debt is a form of self-inflicted slavery.  You take something, in exchange for a promise to pay back.  You are basically selling your future in order to gain something in the present.  That's usually not a good move because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  We can get into trouble.  It is so much better to stay out of debt (often by saying “no” to self) in the first place.  We don’t need the latest.  We don’t need the greatest.  We don’t need the newest or fastest.
 
If it is too late for you to stay out of debt, make it a priority to get out of debt.  The best way to get out of debt (or to stay out of debt) is to follow our last principle.
 
Principle #5: Follow a budget.
 
“Budget” is not a four letter word.  It is actually a Biblical principle. In Luke 14:28 Jesus reminds those who were seeking to be his disciple, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
 
Many people break into a panic when they hear the word “budget”, thinking that a budget will not allow them to enjoy using money.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, a budget does exactly the opposite – it frees you to spend money the way you should.
 
Many years ago my older brother took his family and my family for a day at Disneyland.  I can’t remember how many of us there were, but we were a large crew.  By the time the entrance fee was paid and the food was purchased, it amounted to a rather significant amount.  Then, to top if off (no pun intended), there were souvenir hats at a ridiculous price.   My generous brother paid for it all.  I asked him how he could do that and he said it was all money put aside for this purpose.  I learned an important lesson that day.
 
That’s what a budget will do for you – it will allow you to freely spend money according to a plan, instead of on the spur of the moment.  It will give you a realistic picture of what you can afford and what you can’t afford.  It will help you put the other principles into practice.
 
The bottom line is you can’t afford to not have a budget.
 
Conclusion:

Money really is an important issue.  Like the tongue, it can be used for good or evil. The difficulty is using it for the good.  It's not always easy. The more you have, the more challenges you will face. But using money wisely is not impossible.
 
If we stick to the principles outlined above, we will have done our part.  The issue isn’t “how much” we have, but how we honor God with what we have.  And the best way to do that, is to live by Biblical principles for handling finances.

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Getting Out of Debt

1/18/2011

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Debt-free living is a possibility (yes, that even includes a mortgage). But it won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen unless you take some specific steps to get there.

What can you do? These are not given in any particular order, but they will serve as a good place to start.

1. Change your attitude. Don’t accept debt as “normal”. The Bible is clear on it’s attitude toward debt – it’s not a good thing!

2. Make a commitment not to take on any more debt. Learn to laugh at the “buy now, pay later” offers. Don’t consider “low monthly payments”, consider “how much will this cost me in the long run”.

3. Develop a plan for spending money. A plan doesn’t restrict you, a plan sets you FREE to spend according to your plan. If you don’t make a plan, you will most likely find yourself spending more than you bring in (or in ways you do not intend), which inevitably means “debt”.

4. Understand ownership. It may be in “your” bank account, but as a Christian we know that it not only comes from God but ultimately belongs to God. Use it accordingly. Put God first. Tithe.

5. Keep track of spending. How are you going to make adjustments unless you know exactly where your money is going? You need to keep accurate records. The results may surprise you and show you some areas where you can make changes.

6. Adjust your lifestyle. A daily stop at a coffee shop adds up a whole lot. So does eating out. If you drive, plan your trips so you don’t drive more than necessary. And do you really need cable TV? If it means the difference between going into debt or getting out of debt, just how much can you do without? You might surprise yourself.

7. Pay off small debts first. It will encourage you and give you incentive to keep going. Also give at least a little on your larger debts, it will let your creditors know you are trying and doing something about it.

8. Don’t think “if only I had more income, I wouldn’t be in debt”. In almost all cases that is not true. People with high incomes are in great debt. True, you do need some measure of income, but MOST ALWAYS the problem isn’t income, it’s expenses.

9. Don’t be afraid to get some help. A professional (financial advisor) or perhaps even your pastor would be glad to help. But you need to do the asking.

Pastor Norman
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Debt: A Hindrance to Giving

7/5/2009

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John Wesley had a simple formula for handling money: Make all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can.

Most of us have mastered the first of these steps or at least we’re attempting to master it. We want to earn as much as we can. I know when I was earning $4.00/hour, if I could find a job that would pay me $4.50 I would have jumped at it. Rightly or wrongly, I wanted to make all I can.

Many more of us have tried to get to step two, but we seem to have failed. A CBC news story this week spoke about the increasing debt that Canadians are incurring. According to the story more than half a million Canadians are more than 3 months behind on their credit payments. All together, Canadians have a combined national household debt of 1.3 trillion dollars. It doesn’t seem like we’re succeeding in the “save all you can” department.

With so much debt, it is no wonder that we are having an even harder time with the third step; “giving all we can”. We have bought ourselves into debt and can no longer afford to give. There is nothing to give.

How did we get here and perhaps more importantly, how can we get out?

Getting into debt is very easy. There are many opportunities to borrow money. There are increasing advertisements suggesting you should have whatever you want, whenever you want, and you don’t worry about it until 2012. We see others with something nice and we figure we should have it too. Furthermore, we figure, that as long as we’re doing our part in the offering, we can do whatever we want with the balance of our money. After all, it’s “ours”. We earned it.

The reality is we need a totally different understanding of money. We may have earned it, but it’s not “ours”. Yes, the pay check we get has our name on it. And the bank figures it belongs to us. But the Biblical perspective is quite different; it comes from God and belongs to God. We are the stewards of it. In other words, even though we give 10% to the church, the balance isn’t ours to do whatever we please. The balance also belongs to the Lord and we need to consult Him in it’s use.
Biblically God blesses people so that they can be a blessing to others. Yet, most of the time, when we get blessed (financially) we use it for ourselves. On the contrary, as John Wesley taught (and practiced) we earn and save all we can, not so we can “have it all” but so we can have more to give.

According to our church Manual, “The Church of the Nazarene believes that Jesus commanded His disciples to have a special relationship to the poor of the world; that Christ’s Church ought, first, to keep itself simple and free from an emphasis on wealth and extravagance and, second, to give itself to the care, feeding, clothing, and shelter of the poor. Throughout the Bible and in the life and example of Jesus, God identifies with and assists the poor, the oppressed, and those in society who cannot speak for themselves. In the same way, we, too, are called to identify with and to enter into solidarity with the poor and not simply to offer charity from positions of comfort” [Church of the Nazarene Manual, 903.4].

These are our roots; and good roots they are! They are taught in the Scriptures. As we prosper we must guard ourselves from drawing away from these roots.

The next time you get a bonus or some extra funds, instead of automatically thinking about how you can use that for yourself, take a moment and ask yourself is there is someone who you can bless with at least a portion of your blessing.

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    Pastor's Perspective

    Welcome to Pastor's Norman's blog, "Pastor's Perspective".  

    If interested, you can also follow Pastor Curt's Blog page.

    The opinions and commentaries expressed here do not necessarily represent the Church of the Nazarene.  They are provided here for your interest.

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