by William Hill | Aug 21, 2026 | Blog
Imagine…
Bill Gates walks into your church. He is warmly greeted by the people. He sits. He listens. He gives to the work of the church.
You think to yourself, “I bet he gave a lot.” — Note: his current estimated worth is 107 billion.
Another person walks in. He is dressed poorly. Holes in his clothes. Hair disheveled. He looks like he hasn’t slept in days or had a good meal for many days. He is also warmly greeted. He sits. He listens. He also gives.
You think, “I bet he didn’t give much.”
After the service, the deacons count the giving. They find that Bill Gates gave a $500,000 check. They also find a giving envelope. In it are three worn-out quarters.
Who gave more to the work of the church?
Who is more celebrated by the church treasurer?
The lesson? The worth and value of one’s giving is determined by the cost it makes. That is, if it isn’t sacrificial, it isn’t giving. If it doesn’t cause you any discomfort, you didn’t really give.
The economics of God’s kingdom are not that of the world’s.
* Are you giving out of abundance or from need?
* Do you trust God to meet your needs, even when you give all you have?
By the way, that’s what Jesus taught.
41 Sitting across from the temple treasury, he watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. 43 Summoning his disciples, he said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had —all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)
It isn’t about how **much** you can AFFORD to give **after** adding up all your bills. It’s about saying you are going to give an amount that says, “This will be somewhat painful, but the work of the ministry and the price of my soul have no price tag.”
“Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” (Matt. 6:21)
Sermon: True and False Religion
Sermon Text: Mark 12:38-44
SUMMARY: This sermon contrasts false religion, characterized by the scribes’ hypocrisy and desire for human approval, with true religion exemplified by a poor widow’s sacrificial giving. Using Mark 12 as the primary text, the message argues that financial stewardship is ultimately a reflection of one’s spiritual condition and devotion to God’s kingdom. The preacher challenges believers to examine their hearts, warning against religious arrogance and urging them to give proportionally and sacrificially rather than from mere abundance. True faith permeates every aspect of life, demanding total commitment to Christ rather than superficial observance. The central call is for congregants to align their resources and priorities with the glory of God, ensuring their hearts are fixed on eternal values.
by William Hill | Jun 11, 2026 | Blog
I am a huge fan of NCIS. On the program, LeRoy Jethro Gibbs is often heard quoting various rules that he made up over the course of his life. The idea for these rules came from his first wife, Shannon. Sometimes, good ideas come from unexpected places, and as a result, I have started my list of rules. They are as follows (to date):
- Some people behave like idiots. (Feb. 1, 2026)
- You don’t need to care. (Feb. 1, 2026)
- Sometimes you’re wrong. (Feb. 7, 2026)
- Never abandon a friend. (Feb. 7, 2026)
- Life is about choices. (Feb. 12, 2026)
- You have no control over the minds, hearts, and actions of other people. (June 4, 2026)
- You must accept the will of God in all things. (June 4, 2026)
- People do what they want to do. (June 11, 2026)
- Excuses are not reasons. (June 12, 2026)
- Trust is not given away, but earned. (June 19, 2026)
These rules are in no particular order. They all have context. Some issues or events provoked many of them.
by William Hill | May 15, 2026 | Blog
I am interested in what others consider the most important priorities for a local church. Please take a few minutes to contribute. Thanks!
Informal Survey: Priorities for a Local Church – Fill out form
by William Hill | Dec 5, 2025 | Blog
NOTE: This is an introductory note to a lengthier series I plan to write in 2026.
I was thinking this morning about the rise and influence of Islam in the United States. I know that many people refuse to acknowledge it. They do so out of ignorance or willful denial.
Every Lord’s Day, God’s people have the privilege (and it is a privilege) to worship the triune God. It is taken for granted that their church will be there, open, and ready to receive worshipers. Sadly, it is taken for granted. It is not cherished. It is not held in the highest esteem.
What will you do when Islam prevents that privilege? How will you respond? What will be your attitude?
The hard truth is that it will be worse than what it is now. It won’t be better. You won’t suddenly regard the local church as vital and essential while under threat. If you won’t regard it with the highest value now, why should you assume you will when your life is under threat or that of your family?
Is it such a terrible sacrifice to be in worship? Is the Lord not worth it? Did he not say that if he is not more important than your family, your other endeavours, priorities, and everything else, then you are not worthy of him? Do you not know that many of your brothers and sisters are under significant threat to worship their God, enjoy fellowship, be together, talk about the things of the Lord, and strengthen one another while under terrible danger? Yet some in these United States won’t come to worship for myriad reasons, most of them woefully inadequate. Some have a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Some treat it as nothing more than a night at the movies — we will go if the urge strikes. For some, it is not the most important, indeed, essential time of their week.
It is past time for some to take stock in how they view their church, the labors of their pastors and elders, the fellowship of the saints, and, most importantly, the joy that comes from a God who calls us together to honor and adore him. It may not last.
by William Hill | Oct 11, 2025 | Blog
Starting October 20, 2025, a new Morning Devotional series will begin. The series will focus on the book of James.
Each devotional will be in video format and posted to this website. Additionally, the videos will be on his YouTube channel.
A new devotional will be posted by 7 AM CT, Monday through Friday. They will be approximately 10 minutes long.
The book of James is a very practical book with teachings regarding many matters of the Christian life.
You can subscribe to the pastor’s YouTube channel to watch the videos. You will get a notification when a new devotional is released.
by William Hill | Sep 27, 2025 | Blog
Sometimes there are issues in the church that require a response. Sometimes issues arise that require clarity. It is my effort in this paper to address the issue of an unamendable church constitution and provide clarity, if the Lord is willing.
The goal of this paper is to address the issues surrounding a Presbyterian denomination that seeks to erect an unamendable constitution (The Westminster Standards, including the Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms and The Book of Church Order). I write, not as an expert necessarily, but as one who has over forty years of experience in various Presbyterian contexts, and as one who has been an ordained officer in Presbyterian churches for twelve years. I am writing within the context of Presbyterianism, but these principles can be applied to any denomination with a church constitution.
Thesis: I will demonstrate that an unamendable church constitution is devoid of historical precedent, and erecting one results in numerous problems, including undermining the doctrine of Sola Scriptura and matters of conscience.
You can read the entire paper (or download it) here:
Binding the Conscience – Issues Surrounding an Unamendable Church Constitution
