“Crowned.” The word conjures images of royalty: diamonds, tiaras, golden carriages, and beautiful gowns. However, we rarely consider the extensive rules and regulations that govern royal life. Imagine being required to weigh yourself before and after Christmas dinner or stop eating simply because the king or queen has finished. Picture being unable to go to bed until the highest-ranking royal decides to retire or being obligated to carry your purse on your left arm in public. Here’s one that might surprise you—no selfies allowed! Could you handle being mandated to wear hosiery at all formal events or having your wardrobe colors dictated? This rule would be particularly challenging for me: you may wear black only at funerals. And you must always have a black outfit on hand for such occasions, even when traveling.
The rules go on and on. Breaking them could jeopardize a royal’s standing or their chance to ascend to the throne—and, ultimately, to wear the crown.
These earthly crowns are available only to a select few and are burdened with countless strings attached. As children of God, we aspire not to earthly crowns but to heavenly rewards. Should we be surprised or resentful that the crowns we receive in eternity are rewards for our service to God? Not that we could ever earn such rewards through our actions alone. Without the blood of Jesus, we would all be lost. Yet, the Bible speaks of crowns and rewards and tells us that we will cast our crowns at His feet. What joy to simply be with Him!
The Bible describes various crowns: a crown for faithfulness, a crown for service, and a crown for winning souls, to name a few. There’s even a reward for helping others: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done” (Proverbs 19:17, NIV).
It has been said there are three types of givers:
- Grudge givers: They give reluctantly, with an attitude that says, “I’d rather not do this.”
- Duty givers: They give out of a sense of obligation, feeling, “This is something I’m expected to do.”
- Thanks givers: They give freely and from the heart, embodying the spirit of, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to give.”
Mothers Memorial is all about giving. Men, women, young and old, boys, and girls all give to Mothers Memorial. In 2023, 81 percent of all UPCI self-governing churches gave to Mothers Memorial. In turn, Mothers Memorial channels those contributions to a wide range of causes:
- Global Missions: Supporting foreign students and providing appliances for missionaries.
- North American Missions: Missionary training, prison ministry, and other efforts.
- Support for At-Risk Youth: Lighthouse Ranch for boys, Haven of Hope for young women, and Tupelo Children’s Mansion, which aids children in dysfunctional or abusive family situations.
- Adoption Services: New Beginnings is an agency that protects the unborn and places them in healthy family units.
- Church Advancement: Multicultural Ministries, Spanish Evangelism Ministries, Building the Bridge, and other worthy causes.
- Prayer and Education: World Network of Prayer, Bible college teacher seminars, and more.
- Other allocations support HOPE Ministry, Music Ministry, SafeChurch, the National Apostolic Christian Leadership Conference, and many more, including financial assistance for district-level ministries.
The list is long, and the needs are great. Mothers Memorial exists to give. Your sacrificial giving impacts lives worldwide, furthering the Gospel and supporting the mission of the church. Thank you for what you have given in the past.
Once again, this year, we have an opportunity to give. Jesus observed the treasury (Mark 12:41-43), and I believe He still watches today. God loves a cheerful giver (II Corinthians 9:7) and rewards generosity both in this life and in the life to come: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38, KJV).
Thank you for giving!
