“The Power Of A Plan” is September 22’s entry from Dr. David Jeremiah’s ‘Turning Points with God: 365 Daily Devotions’.
"On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." 1 Corinthians 16:2
In the first century AD, persecution had driven the young Jerusalem church into hiding. Believers were ostracized by the Jewish community and could not buy or sell in the commercial markets. They were without food or money. The apostle Paul mounted a fund-raising campaign among the churches in Achaia and Macedonia to raise money for the church in Jerusalem.
Paul proposed a plan to the Corinthians: every Lord’s Day (Sunday) the believers would bring what funds they could and contribute them to a collection. When Paul arrived, the funds would be ready–there would be no panicky efforts to raise money. The plan worked, and Paul delivered the relief funds to Jerusalem in Romans 15:25-27.
Whether we are giving time, talent, or treasure, a plan produces results. It’s too easy for us to want to give, mean to give, and hope to give–and never get around to giving. A plan represents a commitment, a vow to the Lord, and gives us a track on which to run.
If your giving–whether time, talent, or treasure–has been sporadic, prayerfully consider committing to a plan. It won’t be long before you’ll never be without one again.
To end, a quote from unknown, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
