A Message From Your Pastor
One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, “How much should I give?” People tend to look for a fixed amount, but a fixed amount is not cleanly given in the Bible. What is given is a valuable principle ---- first fruits. Throughout the Bible, God tells us that we should honor Him with the first and best of all He gives to us. I believe that involves a tithe, which literally means “10 percent.” However, tithes weren’t the only offerings described in Scripture. We see special offerings given at the Temple to be distributed to the poor, the widow, or to the refugee. We see freewill offerings where God’s people voluntarily gave to a specific need beyond their first fruits and tithes. The New Testament doesn’t delineate prescriptions for giving as much as it does descriptions of what giving looked like. Zacchaeus was so thankful that he gave away half of his possessions. A poor widow gave “all that she had” to the Temple. A forgiven woman broke an alabaster flask of expensive perfume to worship.
In 1 Corinthians 16, the Christians are urged to set aside money for an offering in response to a need. In this letter, I think there are three important ideas for our own obedience.
1. All of us should be giving.
(“each of you”) This means all, not just the rich. Do we love and trust God enough to give Him our first and our best?
2. We should have a plan for our giving.
(“on the first day of the week”) This implies regular, thoughtful giving. In other words, don’t be an impulsive giver waiting on the next campaign or need. That kind of giving isn’t biblical, it’s emotionally contrived. Rather, build generosity into your budget. Make it your first bill, not your last.
3. Giving to your local church should be your priority.
Paul encourages the Corinthians to give to their local church because that’s the hub of Jesus’s ministry. From the church, they can take care of community needs and support evangelism and church planting.
For Susan and I, one of our greatest joys comes from seeing our own giving regularly make a difference because we get to lock arms with so many of you.
This weekend at the 11:00 service, we will baptize a young woman who is a law student. Our church has made a difference in her life. Her group leader will baptize her with so much joy!
Yesterday, I sat with a man who spoke of his wife moving out of the darkness of a hidden addiction and into the light of help and recovery. He didn’t have to say it with many words. I could see the joy and relief all over him. The community they needed was found in our church.
This week a young man came to talk about how his difficult upbringing, depression, and bad information on the internet have led him to terrible confusion and almost deadly choices. However, the Gospel preached has awakened his heart and given him hope to turn around. So much more than we know happens when we gather in rows.
Last month, a young couple excited about the church came to see us and asked us more about what their giving can go towards. They don’t even have kids yet but spoke about how they want to invest in our place as they see the love, laughter, and volume of children running up and down our halls. They responded generously and their gift has given us the faith to finish the third floor. This “final frontier” truly makes our whole place usable and completes what we were able to see accomplished this past year with “Growing Up.” Their gift was the catalyst. More is needed as the project has begun. With your help, we can have this ready to use in August!
I know, I know… there are scandals and sensational headlines and trust is low in our land, but I was reminded that “planes that land never make the news.” I’m praying we can keep being faithful. When it comes to our own local church and its finances, we are committed to transparency, integrity, and generosity.
Thank you! I’ve had easier seasons. But truly, it’s my great joy to be your pastor.
- Robert Green