On the Subject of Giving Money

January 15, 2011 [Saturday],

Dear Fellow Travelers,

          Tomorrow at Grace Christian Fellowship, the message will be on the subject of giving, in particular, giving money. Admittedly, speaking on this subject is very unusual for me, and the reasons are several: (1) I do not want to be guilty of trying to manipulate my congregants into giving what they cannot afford to give, or do not want to give; (2) I certainly do not want to be guilty of creating a legalistic environment, which leaves my congregants feeling like they are inferior church members (Christians) because they do not give “enough,” whatever “enough” might be; (3) I sincerely believe that the Holy Spirit is not only capable of placing our needs on the hearts of His people, but also of motivating them to give to meet those needs, even though they are not attendees at Grace Christian Fellowship (actually, almost 40% of our contributions come from those who fit into this category); and (4) When I speak to my congregants about giving to Grace Christian Fellowship, I am, obviously, asking them to contribute to my salary, and this is, simply, not easy for me. I suppose you could call it pride.

          You might be wondering why I am telling you this, so I will go ahead and tell you: Because of the difficult financial times most churches are experiencing, I want to encourage you to evaluate what you are giving to your local church. In all probability, you could increase what you plan to give during 2011 and do it with little pain, probably none. Suppose, for example, that you have 50 families in your local church and each family increased what they give by only $5.00 per week. That would increase the income to your church by $13,000 per year! It is amazing what a little team work can do!

          You probably do not realize it, but most churches have members who attend, but never give anything financially. I do not know why this is true, I simply know that it is true. Maybe they feel that they have so little to give that it really doesn’t matter. Maybe they don’t  like the pastor and, therefore, do not want to contribute to his salary. Maybe they are angry because someone hurt them along the way, and refusing to give is their way of getting back what was taken from them, when they were hurt. Sometimes, they simply have no money to give. I really do not know the reasons, but I do know this: If you fall into this category, please consider these words that Jesus, Himself, spoke: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

          Anyway, give this some thought and choose to bless the church you attend with an increase in the amount you give this year.  

"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:29 NASB).