GOLTER'S MUSINGS OCTOBER 2018

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

  • How Much to Give to Him?

    October 5, 2018

    The Lord doesn’t say. No figures, no mathematical calculations. He does not leave you without direction.


    First, is His own manner of giving to you. The Holy Spirit indicates this when St. Paul writes in this way, describing the giving of the churches in Macedonia. “But they gave of themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us,”

    (2 Cor. 8:5).


    Christians giving of themselves first to the Lord merely reflects the Father’s giving first of His Son. The Father “made rich” the Corinthians in Christ (1 Cor. 1:5).

    Please note this richness is not of goods or earthly possessions but of the Son. Owning the Father’s Gift by faith is the first and ongoing highest treasure, and pleasure.


    Giving of self and then the offering is the joyful response, reflecting the Father’s Gift. Happy and content is the heart that sees giving to the Lord in this manner.

    No Scrooges here, grouchy givers who put themselves at the center of their lives. What a joy-less life.


    Giving generously back to the Lord, of self and goods, merely teaches a decided lack of slavery to this world and things.


    Jesus teaches one cannot serve two masters. An attempt to both love Jesus and money won’t work. “For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money,” (Matthew 6:24). Many Christians are enslaved by money.


    How much to give to Him? Freely, joyfully, of first priority, as the Lord blesses, not from the left-overs.


    Bottom line: The Lord funds His mission through you, not wanting to leave you out of this joy.


    A final thought: Imagine what unbelievers think of your giving. How silly are these Christians. They’re missing out on the true luxuries of life!


    They don’t know.


    You do.


    May they come to know.


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

  • You Don't Go to the Dairy Farm to Get milk.

    October 18, 2018

    Why? You won’t get milk there. You go to the grocery store. 


    You don’t fly to the Holy Land to get forgiveness. You must go to where Christ delivers the gifts of the Cross.


    Where God won and where He distributes forgiveness, a crucial distinction.


    Hear Martin Luther:

    We treat the forgiveness of sins in two ways. First, how it is achieved and won. Second, how it is distributed and given to us. Christ has achieved it on the cross, it is true. But He has not distributed or given it on the cross. He has not won it in the supper or sacrament. There He has distributed and given it through the Word, as also in the gospel, where it is preached. He has won it once and for all on the cross….

    If now I seek the forgiveness of sins, I do not run to the cross, for I will not find it given there….But I will find in the sacrament or gospel the Word which distributes, presents, offers, and gives to me that forgiveness which was won on the cross….


    Whoever has a bad conscience from his sins should go to the sacrament and obtain comfort, not because of the bread and wine, not because of the Body and Blood of Christ, but because of the Word which in the sacrament offers, presents, and gives the Body and Blood of Christ, given and shed for me (for the forgiveness of sins)… (Luther’s Works Vo. 40:213-214).


    Jesus doesn’t direct you to:

    • Follow the seven principles of being a better Christian…
    • Look inside your heart…
    • Feel for God’s presence…
    • Pray harder…


    You don’t go to the dairy farm to get milk, and…


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

  • Reasons NOT to be a Lutheran..

    OCTOBER 27, 2018

    Reasons NOT to be a Lutheran. So goes the title of a book written by Dr. Thomas D. McAdam (2016). Since we’re heading toward the celebration of the Reformation, it’s seems quite proper to share his reasons with you. And, if you’re pressed for time, this book is a fast read!


    The reasons are listed below:














    After reviewing his exhaustive list, I fully agree with the book’s premise.


    Note: Yes, all pages are completely blank except for this:

    [Wherein the Lawyers Require we Put Words of Some Kind]

    [Where Upon Mightiest Doodle or Take Notes as Thou Wishest]


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran