"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." —Luke 6:38

This Sunday, Pastor Mark begins a new series you won’t want to miss.

Life is not a zero-sum game. In game theory, there’s a well-known concept: zero-sum theory.

A zero-sum situation refers to one person’s gain being exactly balanced by another person’s loss. Think of poker: the money on the table doesn’t change; one player’s win means another player’s loss. But in non-zero-sum situations, everyone can benefit—a win-win instead of a win-lose.

While this theory is intriguing and even popular, it doesn’t hold up when applied to a life of faith.

Economic theorists tell us that capitalism—our nation's economic system—cannot thrive unless it’s expanding. New ideas, businesses, and markets are essential for growth. A poker game, with its limited chips, doesn’t accurately reflect how our economy works, even though it’s become a popular worldview.

The Bible teaches us something very different: giving is living.

Can a parent live without giving? No. None of us can. Life itself demands we give—whether it's to the IRS or in our relationships. Can you love without giving? Can you truly live without it?

I’m not suggesting we give everything away and leave ourselves with nothing. What I am proposing is a profound truth: giving refreshes us. It motivates and unites us in ways nothing else can. It pushes us beyond the zero-sum mentality. In God's economy, He’s always adding more chips to the table—new dreams, new life, new ideas, fresh energy for the weary, and a deep peace that enables us to do what we couldn't on our own.

In this new series by Pastor Mark, we hope to discover something life-changing, something that will bless our families, communities, and nation for generations. We pray to embrace the truth that giving is living.

Your friend for life,

Pastor Tim