Since we recently endured the IRS deadline, here is a story that is appropriate. It is simply titled “TAXES,” but it could also be called “The Abundant Life vs. a Life of Abundance.”

A tax assessor came one day to a poor Christian to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay. The following conversation took place:

“What property do you possess?” asked the assessor.

“I am a very wealthy man,” replied the Christian.

“List your possessions, please,” the assessor instructed.

The Christian said: “First, I have everlasting life (John 3:16).

“Second, I have a mansion in heaven (John 14:2).

“Third, I have peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

“Fourth, I have joy unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8).

“Fifth, I have divine love which never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).

“Sixth, I have a faithful wife (Proverbs 31:10).

“Seventh, I have healthy, happy, obedient children (Exodus 20:12).

“Eighth, I have true, loyal friends (Proverbs 18:24).

“Ninth, I have songs in the night (Psalms 42:8).

“Tenth, I have a crown of life (James 1:12).”

The tax assessor closed his book, and said, “Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation.”

I pray that all of us will have this kind of tax free “wealth.”

---------

Paula recently brought home a new book called The Big Book of Lists to Live By. It’s full of interesting information and advice. One such list is found in our right column today: learning to “Minimize Materialism.”

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word!

Minimize Materialism

· Engage in activities that don’t cost much. This reinforces the fact that fun isn’t always associated with money.

· Teach your children and show them by your actions that people matter more than things.

· Minimize the exposure to commercial content, including advertisements that appear in your newspaper.

· Beware of “fiction wishing.” Don’t say, “Wouldn’t it be great if we had . . .?”

· Encourage the deferral of gratification. En-courage your kids to save money in order to purchase something they want instead of just going to the store and buying it for them. Let them know that they can’t have everything they want and they have to make choices.

· Reach out to people in need by volunteering time or services. Visit those in hospitals, nursing homes, or children’s homes.

· Encourage your children to save, recycle, reuse, give away, and take care of the material items they have.

· Avoid the temptation of comparing what you or your children have with what others have.

· Explain the difference between functionality and extravagance. For example, designer clothes may not always be better.

Talk about the fact that happiness and contentment are rarely the result of what we have. Help your children see that it is what’s inside a person that counts, not how many things he or she has.

May 3	Houston Hamby
May 5	Adam Banuelos
May 6	Justin Cannon
May 13	Taylor Scott
May 14	Joe Maddox
May 20	Kathy Ripley
May 24	Lana Leasher
	Jim O’Brien
May 26	Sharon Shelton-Minichowski
May 27	Everett Hayes
May 28	Peggy Hamby

THOSE TO SERVE - April 30
Welcome	Ross Anderson
Song Leader	Jimmy Pulliam
Opening Prayer	Dick Massey
Lord's Table	* Steve Putman
	*Keith Bearden
	Dennis Robbins
	Tom Raines
Scripture Reading	Romeo Brinkley
	Hebrews 12:2, 3
Closing Prayer	Paul Smith
Welcome -PM	Ross Anderson
Song Leader	Jason Ray
Opening Prayer	Greg Cannon
Scripture Reading	Jimmy Scott
	Mark 7:24-28
Closing Prayer
Communion Preparation	Joyce Shelton
Nursery Attendant	Willie Mae Warren & Kaley Goss

Bible School	86
Worship AM	118
Worship PM	79
Wednesday Bible Study	58
Contribution	$ 3,524.00

VIEWPOINT

Since we recently endured the IRS deadline, here is a story that is appropriate. It is simply titled “TAXES,” but it could also be called “The Abundant Life vs. a Life of Abundance.”

Jana Diane Wisenbaker