Note: This is a guest post from my friend and mentor Russ Butcher, who is also a church planter. Check it out:

Every Monday and/or Tuesday I wait with anticipation on hearing what the dollar amount of our Sunday offering is. Very often my demeanor and peace of mind is directly impacted based on whether or not our offering is deemed acceptable or not. If we have a “good” offering I will be full of joy and in a good mood or if we have a “bad” offering I may be a little down or solemn. Of course if the offering is “good” it is because our people are “getting” it and if the offering is “bad” we simply have to be dependent on God for more.

We are 10 months into this church planting adventure and you would think by now that I would be learning to trust God more on things of this nature. Shouldn’t I completely trust God daily, weekly and every moment that He knows what is best for me, our staff and CATG? Why do we question God’s faithfulness when we have a “bad” offering and rejoice in His faithfulness when we have a “good” offering?

I have a few friends that have taken the leap into the church planting world and they are writing their ministry plans and considering budgets. They will get bent out of shape sometimes about where the money will come from for their new church. I tell them with utmost confidence not to worry about it because God is in control! “He will provide for every need that you have.” I tell them. “Simply focus on people, share the vision with as many people as possible, and God will provide!” I will even give them a scripture to drive home my point.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

HA! HA! Sounds great doesn’t it! I am such a hypocrite! I can preach it! I can shout it, but to tell you the truth, I am scared to death each and every week and often count our success according to our own performance and those that journey with us.

The truth is:

• God is faithful each and every moment regardless of our offering and regardless of our circumstances.
• God’s goodness and faithfulness should never be measured according to OUR standards.
• My response should be to depend on Him and trust Him in such a way that transcends my circumstances and the circumstances of our church plant.
• I can trust Him and can COUNT ON HIM!

Whether it is a church planting adventure, a business, your children, your marriage, your soberness, your health, your faith, your salvation or your sanity, what or WHOM are you counting on?