It is hard to believe that Charge Conference is a little over a month away. The Administrative Council has been diligently working on the necessary reports that are to be presented during this conference. Each committee chairperson has been evaluating their needs and informing the Council of next year’s expectations. Now we face the unenviable task of putting together a financial budget for 2011 based on these needs. Oh yes, you might have figured out where I am going with this information. It is stewardship time again. I believe the only people liked less than used car salespersons or insurance salespersons are those who ask people to support the church through a financial pledge (lol).
In another visit with Henrietta Thomas, not too long ago, I was once again reminded of what it means to be a follower of Christ. During the visit we were sitting in a common area on a couch talking about things in general. She mentioned her daughter, Anne Abernethy, always seemed to be at the church donating cans of food. I informed Henrietta that we collect food for Bluffton Self Help and Access Networks. What she did next touched me deeply. Henrietta reached into her purse and pulled out a $10 bill and asked me to use this money to buy cans of food for our collection. My first thought turned to Jesus teaching his disciples about giving after the widow made her offering at the temple. Jesus said (paraphrased) “Y’all see those folks over there? It may seem based on the amount of their giving they are large contributors. See that older woman over yonder? She only put a couple of coins in the offering plate. Let me point out that what she gave was nothing more than a drop in the bucket full of water. Yet, her giving came from the heart. Those other folks, well, they gave what was in essence loose change. The church is their last priority.”
Henrietta’s offering was nothing more than a drop in the bucket full of water in the grand scheme of things. All she bought was less than 10 cans of food. Not even a day’s supply of food for Bluffton Self Help or Access Networks. Yet, Henrietta gave from the heart. She just turned 93 years old. How many 93- year- old women do we know, who have a rigidly fixed income that can afford to give away $10? Again, Henrietta taught me a unique lesson in her own way.
I know we emphasize giving in the church by referencing the term “tithing”. Yes, we ask for 10% of your income referencing Abram’s offering to the Melchizedek found in Genesis 14:17-24. This was the first tithe offered. Maybe it is time to rethink how we approach financial support for the church as Stewardship Sunday approaches us in November. The recent economic crisis has damaged giving in the church in general. I can sympathize and empathize with this problem. The church should not pretend that such a condition does not exist. Instead, let’s rethink our approach. Forget about the term “tithe” and let’s talk about faithful giving (me included). While giving by membership pays for church salaries I want you to know that administrative salaries cannot exceed 40% of the total budget. So why do we ask for money?
It is true we are trying to meet our overhead and then sometimes we are in need of money for specific projects. But the most important reason, as I see it, is to support the mission work, along with outreach, of the church. Through giving you are investing in yourself, your church, and in the Kingdom of God. An emotional moment for me came during an Epiphany Weekend several years ago in Columbia at the Broad River Rd. DJJ facility. Epiphany is a prison ministry for incarcerated youth. Like any ministry it plants seeds with the hopes that some one will experience the wonderful grace of God. Team members had sold meal tickets to raise money to offset the cost of food. DJJ is not charged for the youth to attend Epiphany Weekend. It is free. As each meal came out a card was placed at each place setting where a youth was seated. On the card was written “This meal has been provided by __________ out of their love for God and you”. Each ticket sold for $5. Not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things but it was a lot. For some of these teenagers who are behind bars the thought that another person cares about them is inconceivable. I’m not sure who experienced the greater joy, those receiving or those giving. Faithful giving is one way others experience the Kingdom of God. Faithful giving is about the unconditional love of God, which asks for nothing in return. It is not about earning brownie points with God. Faithful giving is one way we worship God.
Like the widow who offers God her all in worship, like Henrietta who offers God her all in worship, let us now do the same and know our offering is a way we worship God. Do not think of giving as an obligation but about how others experience the grace and love of Christ as we can reach out to those in need. Think about the joy on the children’s faces in our church as they light up because someone actually cares enough about them by making sure they have supplies and snacks. Think about those who benefit form our ministries in time of need. Yes, God will say, “Well done good and faithful servant”. This year, please give with your heart and give what you can.
No comments:
Post a Comment