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Dear Friends,

“Melt down the saints”

This was the famous command of Oliver Cromwell when the British government lacked silver to mint coins. Officials were sent throughout the country and reported that the statues adorning the cathedrals contained silver. Cromwell ordered them to “melt down the saints and put them into circulation”.

Ever since I heard this story I’ve been reminded of its illustration that God has provided our needs inside the fellowship. The money we need for our ministry is not “outside” somewhere but “inside” — what we need is for God to ‘melt us down’ and it will be there.

Most of us in the church don’t save much (I presume) but just live from week to week. Of course if we added up what is spent at cafes and movies and favourite indulgences (clothes, music, books, etc.) it would make a tidy sum but few have thousands of dollars to throw around.

Nevertheless inside our whole fellowship we have been given enough to support the ministry of St Thomas’, the mission in Australia and overseas, to even go beyond our circumstances to break new ground in our property usefulness, developing fresh ministries and even supporting others in need. I hope this enthuses you — between us we can do great things! How do I know this? Because of 2 Corinthians 9:8 and many of God’s promises.

You may also realise that not only are we lagging in the offertories but we are embarking on a costly (but infinitely worthwhile) venture into Northbridge where many of our givers will leave us to go. And we have plans in 2010–2011 to make our last property (Ministry Centre) strong and very useful. We don’t want to cut back staff or missionaries in doing these things. And God has given all we need for this — inside the saints.

Can I ask you to:

(1) Make this part of your prayer for St Thomas’ — generosity.

(2) Adjust your giving if you haven’t for a while (Kathy and I make sure that more than 10% of our income is always going into the ministry giving).

(3) If you are in a position to do so, please give a ‘strong’ gift to cut back the deficit and enable things to happen and thrive.

(4) Remember there are people who don’t use the offertory bags because they are making direct bank transfers. But if you belong to St Thomas’, whatever your income, you should be giving one way or another!

(5) Know God’s ‘economy blessing’ works like this, “the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Lord, please “Melt down the saints”!

Yours in fellowship,

Simon Manchester

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