I gave an update on Gateway's finances for the last year a few weeks back on a Sunday morning, but we wanted to make a separate video for those of you who weren't around or who missed some of the information and wanted a recap!
I'm aware we don't do updates very often, but it's important that we keep you updated on this so that we can be transparent and accountable.
It also gives us a great opportunity to highlight some of the places we've been able to invest in, as we've given finances away over this last year.
Important foundations
It's important to not just view this simply as a business/administrative update, but as a Kingdom matter. So I wanted to share a verse from Matthew...
For [the Kingdom of Heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants
and entrusted to them his property - Matthew 25:14
So both for us individually, as families, but also for us as the Gateway family, it's important that we start with the foundation that everything we have isn't ours - it comes from God! Our responsibility is to steward it wisely and to use it in a way that honours God and advances His Kingdom.
The principal of the whole of the New Testament around money is generosity - so that's the foundation we want to start with in regards to our own money, but also with Gateway's finances.
Make the most of every opportunity
One of the things that struck me as I was looking over the finances from the last year and as we were preaching through Ephesians, in our last preaching series, was a verse in Ephesians 5...
[make] the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil - Ephesians 5:16
I absolutely believe that what we do with our finances is a part of how we make the most of the opportunities that God gives us.
So as we review Gateway’s financial position, I want to encourage you to take a moment to review your own finances and giving again.
You can find all the different ways you can give at gcswindon.org.uk/giving.
Thank you!
I just want to again say a huge thank you - your generosity and the faithfulness of God, especially over these last few years, has been incredible.
See you soon,
Nigel Howarth
Elder
