I owe it my loyalty. I
must help carry out every good work it undertakes. I should help other congregations
in special efforts, but I should not neglect my home congregation.
I owe it my dependability.
I am depending on it for many things it does in my behalf. It is not fair and right
for me to depend on it and not be such that it cannot depend on me.
I owe it my financial support.
It takes money to operate the church and preach the gospel. I am responsible to the
Lord to give as He has prospered me. My home congregation has first call on my
financial ability, for if the members of the church do not support the work of the home
congregation, it will not be supported. The expenses go on whether I am there or
not, so I should make up my contribution when absent.
I owe it my presence.
If everyone stayed home there would be no worship of God. I am responsible as anyone to
attend all of my congregation's services. I must not be a parasite.
I owe it the influence of a godly
life. The life I live either helps others to obey the gospel or makes it
the harder for them. How I live effects the work of the church and the salvation of
the lost. I should live in such a way that my life will be blessing to others.