By Norm Granger
Though we spend a major portion of our lives thinking about
money, working for money, worrying about money, spending money, saving money, we
still find it difficult to talk about money. The topic of money within the
church can be even more unnerving for there are many who feel it is an
inappropriate topic.
Jesus exhibited no aversion to the subject of money. He
spoke of it often and nearly half o his thirty-eight parables deal with the
subject of money or material possessions. Why? I want you to
think about this.
Money creates at least some anxiety in everyone for several
powerful reasons. Few of us even feel we have enough money. The
idea of no being able to pay our bills is scary. Money is associated
with a host of deep desires (e.g. immorality, security, love, power, and
self-esteem). These desires trigger anxiety that leads to such things as
envy, greed, guilt, competitiveness. Anxiety can become a warning system
that tells us we're involved in something that is potentially dangerous and
money is certainly that.
Jesus warns us time after time that money can threaten our
relationship with God.
Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters, for either
he will hate the one and love the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 12:15 Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a
man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Jesus warns us of the dangerous effects money can have on our
spiritual well-being. Giving your tithes and offerings is a spiritual act
of a Christian. Therefore I ask you the following questions.
* Can it be that handling of money is the key to true (spiritual)
giving?
* Can it be that our handling of money is the "cutting
edge" for our spiritual understanding and development?
* Could this be why Jesus spent so much time trying to get the
message across?
* HAVE WE HEARD HIM YET?
Just Remember; If Kingdom needs are unmet, it is never because resources
are unavailable, but because we are imperfect stewards.
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Fisk's Gates Millennium Scholars and Tom
Joiner Scholarships
THE TOM JOYNER FOUNDATION and the Gates Foundation have both helped
Fisk students for the current academic year with substantial scholarship
awards. Through Joyner's "Sky Show" radio program and a
host of other activities that preceded that event in March of 2000, a
total of $128,307 was raised for Fisk scholarship students. The
funding came from corporations, foundations and individuals As a
result, a total of 72 Fisk students received "Tom Joyner
Scholarships" ranging from $1,000 to $3,500.
The Gates Millennium Scholarship program was established with funding
from the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation in 1999. It is aimed at
expanding access and opportunity to higher education for those citizens
who will help reflect the diverse society in which we live. The goal
os to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for
thousands of outstanding students to reach their full potential. The
program is administered by the United Negro College Fund and two other
partners. The first scholar-ship awards were made during the summer
of 2000 for use during the 200-2001 academic year. Three Gates Millennium
Scholars are now enrolled at Fisk University.
Stephanie Ward, who came to Fisk from Waterloo, Iowa, is a freshman and
received a full room, board, and tuition award. Kimberland Jackson,
a sophomore, and Kisha Scruggs, a junior, each received smaller Gates
awards since other aid programs tool care of their financial needs.
It is possible that each of these students, if they
maintain a good record, will be able to continue their scholarship
through their time at Fisk and very possibly even continue the financial
assistance into graduate school and through the awarding of their
doctoral degree. To receive a Gates Scholarship, students must
maintain a 3.3 or better grade point average (GPA), have significant
financial need and have demonstrated leadership ability through
participation in community service and extracurricular or other
activities. High School students are nominated and recommended by
their teachers or counselors.
Stephanie Ward is a native of Houston, Texas, but prior
to her junior high school year move to Waterloo, Iowa to take care of
her ailing grandmother. Stephanie's mother followed her shortly
after settling matters in Texas. Stephanie enrolled at Waterloo
West High School and, in addition to regular courses, she took some
advanced placement college courses. Her mother had encouraged
Stephanie to begin the considering where she wanted to go to college
just the year before. Subsequently, Stephanie visited Fisk on a
college tour and knew immediately that this was the place she wanted to
attend college. Her grandmother lived long enough to know and take
pride in the fact that Stephanie was accepted and would enroll at Fisk.
Stephanie
graduated from Waterloo West High School with a 3.8 GPA and ranked 30th out of
250 in her graduating class. Her extracurricular activities included being
a member of the school orchestra, where she played viola, as well as a
member a of the Executive Student Board and also the yearbook staff. She
was chosen as the most accomplished African American Graduate. Several of
her teachers came to her almost simultaneously to recommend that she apply for
Gates Millennium Scholarship. Stephanie has given serious consideration to
becoming a neonatologist physician. However, she is also enamored with
English, Dramatics, and Speech. She is now nearing completion of an
autobiography-she's up to her thirteenth year-and Vintage Press has agreed to be
her publisher.
Somehow, in talking with Stephanie, you get the clear
feeling that whether she decides on neonatology, writing, or some other
occupation, she will be quite successful.
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Antioch Baptist Church
Rev. Michael E. Coleman, Pastor
426 Sumner Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
