The new KBC Cooperative Program brochure is entitled “The Power of AND.” It rightfully points out that in Acts 1:8 Jesus did not say “or” when He said “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea AND Samaria, AND to the ends of the earth.”  The Cooperative Program brochure makes the point that we can be witnesses here, there AND everywhere as we give through the Cooperative Program.

The Cooperative Program works best when individuals tithe and then churches tithe.  The idea of a tithe of the tithe is referenced in Numbers 18:26 which says, “Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering.’”

As we consider the power of AND, I would add another “and” as in tithes AND offerings.  Both Deuteronomy 12:6 and 12:11 reference bringing the tithe and various offerings to the Lord.  As Southern Baptists we teach tithing.  We know that the tithe is the foundation of faithful stewardship.  We also encourage sacrificial giving through missions offerings.

September is the month we receive the Eliza Broadus Offering for State Missions.  This is the 100^th anniversary year of our annual state missions offering which was started in 1913 at the urging of Eliza Broadus.  Kentucky WMU is the sponsor of the offering and named it in her honor starting in 1976. Our 2013 goal is $1.25 million!

Tithing provides support for the ministries of your church. A tithe of all the tithes received by your church given through the Cooperative Program supports the work of Kentucky Baptists through the Mission Board, Christian education, and the Kentucky Baptist entities.  The tithe of the tithe also provides funds for international missions, North American missions, Southern Baptist seminaries, and other ministries of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Likewise, your offerings provide additional missions support for ministries in Kentucky and around the world as you participate in the Eliza Broadus Offering for State Missions, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions, and in associational missions.

More than Ever, Make a Difference!