2. DEVOTION
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Christ is the Capstone
DR. KEN HEMPHILL
“For those who follow Him, He is the capstone that makes all life’s efforts cohere
and have lasting meaning.”
The cornerstone described in 1 Peter 2:6 creates a powerful image. The “head of the
corner” was a massive stone set, not in the foundation, but in the upper corner of a
building to bind the walls firmly together. The huge stone would have been useless in
other positions in the building. It lay rejected in the building yard while the walls were
being built. Its size would have made it a stumbling block to the builders as long as it lay
on the ground unused. But once in place, it became the capstone on which all else in the
building depended.
Christ is too great to be neglected or rejected. For those who follow Him, He is the
capstone that makes all life’s efforts cohere and have lasting meaning. But for those
who stumble over and reject Him, life will lack purpose and meaning. There will be
judgment in the life to come.
The first mark of a genuine disciple is the recognition of the gift of salvation graciously
offered in Christ. Christian stewardship is marked by the confession that all we are and
all we have has been received from God and therefore belongs to God

3. DEVOTION
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Faithful Giving
DR. ERNEST STANDERFER
“Through faithful giving, we care for others and honor our Lord.”
Faithful – constant, dedicated, devoted, loyal, steadfast, dependable, reliable,
Responsible
Faithful giving – giving through one’s church with dedication and loyalty
A church member who had been a widow for several years recently passed away.
Though living on a fixed income, she had committed to give—what many would say was
a large gift—each month through her church. Few knew of her commitment, but nothing
deterred her from giving—not sickness, the advice of others—nothing. Her church was
important to her, and she was a dedicated and faithful giver.
Once, the Apostle Paul commended a church for their faithful giving.
“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians
know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from
Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving,
except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and
again when I was in need … I have received full payment and even more; I am
amply supplied, now that I have received … the gifts you sent. They are a
fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:14-16,
18, NIV).
Through faithful giving, we care for others and honor our Lord.