Being a Christian is a 365 day-a-year "vocation" (Ephesians 4:1 KJV), just as the Lord's work (which doesn't take a vacation!). His work is based on the generous contributions and personal work of the members of His church (2 Corinthians 8:1-5; Colossians 1:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8), many of which have made a commitment to give a certain percentage of their income on a weekly basis (2 Corinthians 9:7-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
It is because of these commitments and contributions, that a budget is agreed upon and still other commitments are made for salaries, utilities, benevolence, evangelism, teaching materials, etc. Money has always been and will always be a "sensitive" subject (especially with today's economic downturn). Unfortunately, vacation time sometimes brings a shortage of the regular contributions which can have a negative effect on the Lord's work.
Dear reader, this ought not to be so!
The walls around Jericho fell by God's power, but it was the marching, yelling, trumpet blowing, and shouting of Joshua's men in obedience to God's command, that completed the action (Joshua 6). Would the wall have fallen without their faithful response? To ask the question, is to answer the question. And so it is with the work of the Lord's church today. God will do His part (He doesn't take vacations!), if we will be faithful in doing our part (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Like Joshua and his men, we still have to do the marching, trumpet blowing, and shouting, (i.e., trusting, working, and giving), in order to get the Lord's work done. Dear reader, let us not leave God out of our plans when we go on summer vacation. And while we are away, let us not forget our contribution commitments to the local congregation (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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