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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-10-20, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20,1999. PAGE 13. From the Minister's Study Sometimes riches a matter of perspective By Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Blyth Christian Reformed Church We have probably all heard it said that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. That is not just a complaint from the whiners in society. There’s good statistical evidence to support that. That points to some major injustice. It is often at the expense of the poor that the rich get richer. If multinational companies can make more money by having their products made in countries where the wages are abysmally low, they often have no second thoughts about moving production to such places. That in turn helps to keep wages lower in North America. And in the process, record profits are being made by many of these companies. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The crushing debt of many Third World countries has reduced them to greater poverty than ever. At the same time, western nations are enjoying growing prosperity. Recent union contracts reached at the major motor companies are evidence of such prosperity. There are all kinds of inequities WMS hears executive meeting report Continued from page 6 Mrs. Leslie Knight asked for the business portion of the meeting. She reported on the executive meeting held in Mitchell. Mrs. Harvey Smith reminded all to renew subscriptions to the Glad Tidings booklet. Jean Easton of Exeter brought greetings from the Presbyterial and gave a sermonette on Psalm 23. Mrs. Jack Knight held a short Ladies Aid meeting. Lunch was served by Mrs. Harvey Smith and Mrs. Murray Crawford, assisted by the hostess. in society. And all too often, nothing is done about it. Those who can stack the cards in their own favour like to keep it that way. It is to their personal advantage that there is inequity in our society. But not all inequity can be blamed on the card stackers. There is also an inequity for which people have to accept personal responsibility. A hard worker who is willing to carry responsibility usually has more money to spend than one who likes to take it easy. And a wise manager of personal resources will be much further ahead than those who spend their money before they get it. That's the context in which the Bible says: “Everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” (Matthew 25: 29) That passage used to bother me a bit, until I understood the context. It’s all about faithfulness in the use of our God-given talents and resources. There is indeed a reward in using them well. A wise manager will enjoy the benefits of his efforts. But poor management of what God has given us will cost us. Also with God it is a matter of “use it or lose it.” Today, people are often more interested in making money than in being good stewarts of what God has given them and in being faithful in serving their Maker. They may become richer in financial terms but in the end will find themselves poorer in matters that really count, while many who may be poorer financially today because they have their priorities right will end up richer where it really counts. Not all “getting richer” is exactly for our good. And though no one likes “getting poorer,” it has helped some to become richer in the things that endure. Sometimes, riches are just a matter of perspective. Sharing a Healthier Future™ , PdHTicipacrian Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Pastor Ben Wiebe 887-6388 Blyth United Church Come Worship The Lord With. Us Sundays - 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Minister ~ Rev. Ernest Dow ALL ARE WELCOME 523-4224 Checking out the goods Ella Ives was one of the first shoppers to arrive at Blyth United Church’s rummage sale Saturday morning to take advantage of bargain prices and a large selection. MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11.00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 ftleau fain u& fai umi&tlip tHi& Sunday Morning Worship Service ~ 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service ~ 7:30 p.m. "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. Hebrews 10:24-25 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH • Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest A Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible you are ‘Welcome at the BLYTH COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA ybu are welcome this Sunday OCTOBER 24 - PENTECOST 22 MORNING PRAYER Trinity, Blyth St. John's, 9:30 a.m. Brussels Wheelchair accessible 11:15 a.m. Rev. Nancy Beale - Rector - 887-9273 HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 526-7555 PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-9017 ASSOCIATE PASTOR - YOUTH - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788 Sunday 8:45 a.m.- Morning Worship Service 10:00 a.m.- Family Bible Hour 11 a.m.- Morning Worship Service 8 p.m.- Evening Service Wednesday 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.- Family Night (Kids' Club) Friday 7:30 p.m.- Youth Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Ethel Communion - 9:45 - 10:30 Family Bible Hour and Sunday School 11:00 - 12:00 Prayer & Bible Study Tuesday 8 p.m. John 14:6 - Jesus said, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE, no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Everyone Welcome For more information call 887-6665 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. Christine Johnson • Minister Church Office 887-6259 E-maH: bepc@wcl.on.ca October 24, 1999 9:30 a.m. - Worship Ethel United Church 11:00 a.m. - Worship, Sacrament of Baptism Brussels United Church FareweU Potluck for Rev. Chris to follow Friday. Oct. 22 - 7-9 p.m. - Silent Auction - Pre-showing and Bidding Saturday, Oct. 23 - 10-3 p.m.-Silent Auction Sunday. Oct. 24 - Two sittings - 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. - Harvest Supper, Ethel United Church - Call Dianne Dianne Diehl at 887-9442 A WARM WELCOME TO ALL!