"Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:45, 46 NIV) Driving around the island, and browsing the local papers, we have noticed over one hundred properties listed For Sale. Does it seem to you that the island is up for grabs to the highest bidder? Many old-timers have made the decision to cash out while there is a seller's market. Some have already sold out and moved to nearby communities. Let's just hope that people who invest in Cedar Key will love living here, sell their homes in the North, and stay permanently.
We have not had many inquiries from people who want to buy a church. It is certainly possible to make an investment in the kingdom of heaven. In fact, Jesus told that short story to help us understand the great value of the church. One of the big issues sellers of real estate or a business have is determining the selling price. Just when you think you have heard of the most expensive piece of property, along comes a new listing that tops all the rest.
I sincerely believe that the best possible investment in Cedar Key is the Cedar Key Church of Christ. Furthermore, I strongly recommend that you cash out of everything else and put all your hard-earned treasure to work in the kingdom of heaven. This investment is guaranteed to increase over time, and the short-term dividends are out of this world. Tell me the truth, what could be better than that?
How do we go about determining the fair market value of the church? Let's approach this like we would the sale of a professional practice or service organization. First, we want to think about the value of any real estate. Just for the sake of our illustration, let's say the church building and lots it sits on should bring in somewhere around $400,000; the preacher's home also sits on a nice elevated property with a Gulf view and might easily bring in about $700,000. Then we need to think about those most valuable intangible assets belonging to the local church.
The church offers the local community the most intrinsic and beneficial product or service that is available anywhere else in the world. Nothing compares to this offer of eternal life. The offer has the full support and good faith promise of the Creator of the universe. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)
The average median income for American workers in 2004 was 42,409 and $9,950 (23%) of this went for health insurance premiums. $2,661 of this amount came from the employees' pocket. Spending on prescription drugs topped the $180 billion mark in 2004. (Kaiser Family Foundation)
That means workers are willing to continue paying high prices for physical and mental security. This also indicates that Americans will continue to value the church even more highly as they realize the present and eternal benefits that come from church membership. People who regularly go to church, live longer, have better marriages, the children have less behavioral problems, and members make more money. *studies by Duke University, Indiana University, and The Economist magazine.
Therefore, it does not seem like much to ask people to give 10% of their income to the place where Christ gives out the eternal blessings. With an average weekly attendance of 25 people, the church receives about $40,000 per year to handle its small budget. We have plenty of room to accommodate twice that many people each week. With just a little coaxing, we should be able to get a few more people seriously interested in eternal life. That should double the contribution to around $80,000 per year. So, using a strictly business approach, let`s just say we will value this at ten times the revenues. That is another $800,000 for the intangible products and services. According to this worldly wisdom, it looks like the church is worth around $2,000,000.
This is a reasonable formula after all, because the church is always going to flourish as long as it remains faithful to its charter. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)
In reality friends, it doesn't cost you one single penny to belong to the family of God. The price for your membership was paid long ago on a hill outside the city of Jerusalem. Jesus of Nazareth became the substitute for your sins and mine as he suffered bitterly and died on the cross. His body was taken down from that place of execution and placed in a borrowed tomb. On the third day after his death, Jesus rose from the grave!
After the resurrection, Jesus the Messiah appeared to many people. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, and the chosen disciples. Then Jesus appeared in his resurrected body to Thomas and over five hundred of the disciples. A group of disciples watched as the body of Jesus ascended from the earth back up to Heaven. Believe, repent and obey Christ for salvation.
You are invited to the services of the Church of Christ at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Write me with any questions or comments. David Binkley, Sr., P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or E-mail at dgbinkley@aol.com. You may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com. |
