In the early days of my first pastorate, the deacons would lead devotion, go outside to smoke cigarettes, then rejoin the service when the sermon began. I told my aunt about my plans to put an end to it. She gave me good and wise reasons why I should leave the matter alone for now. I was undeterred and determined to ban leaders from smoking. My aunt advised me that I may have the right to tell the deacons not to smoke on church premises, but I could not tell them what to do at home. “That’s the problem,” I...

The Lord punished Israel’s stubborn rebellion by permitting their enemies to overtake them. The Babylonian Captivity lasted for seventy years. Then the Lord raised up Cyrus of Persia to defeat the Babylonians, set the Israelites free to return to their home, and order the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.  Fast-forward approximately one hundred years. Thousands of Jews have returned to the promised land. The temple has been rebuilt. Priests have resumed the offering of sacrifices. The city walls have been restored. The people are enjoying relative peace. Things could be better. Israel had not gained its independence from Persia. And Israel faced ongoing economic challenges. Yet, if you interviewed the man...

Worship Through Giving (Malachi 3: 8-12)