Christian Giving 101

This is an exciting time to be part of this church family. We have just gone through a period of difficulty and uncertainty with many issues and challenges facing us and as always God has been faithful.

• Our marriage has gone far better than expected
• Enriched our Christian experience
• New relationships grown and flourishing
• New opportunities of ministry, mission and worship
• New people coming to faith or deepening in their personal relationship with Jesus
• We are experiencing new depths of unity
• Between our congregations as we minister together
• Through prayer and fasting seeking to hear God’s voice
• A clearer vision for the future based on relationships rather than buildings
• We are strengthening and building our leadership base to enable the work of ministry to go forward
• New leadership team: Narina, Margaret, Debbie and Jo with me & two churchwardens.
• New staff:
• Lara working with Children
• Tim sharing my responsibilities and enabling things to be done better and more things to be done
• Hot news – Sheila, accepted for ordination training over 6 months ago; new form of training – 4 years in a parish – expected to go elsewhere, now confirmed coming here from September. 2 years licensed lay working and 2 years Curate. Only cost to us expenses!

As the same time we have faced unprecedented challenges as I have spoken of before:

• As the work has increased we had seen our staff reduce
• We have struggled to find staff to replace them
• This has now been addressed
• Our two separate leadership teams were disbanded and we are still in the process of appointing a new one
• This has now been resolved
• The question about the future of a new building project dragged on
• The future on this is now clear

• some key people have been sent out to help in other churches
• some have left
• consequence income down significantly
• We thank God that we are now beginning to see signs of recovery and a renewed confidence

But one area not yet tackled is our finances and this we need to do now.

Old Testament Principle:  Tithes and Offerings (Deut. 12:6)

• Tithing:           10% of income
• Predates the 10 Commandments
• Abraham followed this principle
• Seen as an obligation and normal
• Offering:        Freewill giving
• Over and above the 10%
• Special Gifts
• Sometimes more than the 10% was required for a special project e.g. building the Temple 1 Ch 29:5-9

Non-payment of the full 10%, the tithe & the offering, to the temple (the church) is seen as robbing God – Mal 3:8

New Testament Principles

No longer under law but through God’s grace free to make our choices.

But that doesn’t mean free to do whatever we like – God is looking for us to go above and beyond rules and regulations.

Jesus for example commended those who tithes, but told them that more was required of them in how they lived their lives.

Jesus talked a good deal about money and treasure – in today’s reading he is more concerned about the attitude of heart rather than the size of a gift. The widow gave everything, though it was only a small amount, and he looks to us for a similar response.

Paul gives a more systematic approach in his letters to the Christians in Corinth as he encouraged them to give towards God’s work, it was to be:

• Regular                      1 Cor 16:2
• Planned                     1 Cor 16:2
• Expression of love, worship and obedience 2 Cor 8:9

• Sacrificial – it hurts! 2 Cor 9:6
• Willing & joyful         2 Cor 9:7

I am told a significant proportion of established members of the church are not giving at all – friends this business is not optional. No one can tell you how much you should give and I never would, but there is not doubt that you should give to God through the local church.

When Jackie & I decided to tithe it seemed an impossible level of giving but over a few years we gradually reached that level and have never looked back.

Then I was engaged in a discussion about whether we should tithe our net or our gross income and someone said “do you want a net or a gross blessing from God”. It was a “no-brainer” after that!

Giving to Enable Mission and Ministry

The true motive for giving is an expression of our love for God but the reality is without each one of us giving sacrificially we cannot do the things God has called us to as a people.

• We have a large deficit from last year – not how we planned it but that is where we are
• The PCC has taken on additional staffing “in faith” as we have sought God’s will and His leading - which significantly increases our regular outgoings
• Our buildings have been neglected during our period of uncertainty. God is now calling us to be good stewards of what we have and to do the necessary work – which will cost thousands of pounds

I’m not worried about our financial future because I know we have the money – it’s in our bank accounts!

I fully recognise that some of us are in personally challenging circumstance because of the credit crunch, but many of us, including Jackie and I, are actually better off with significantly reduced mortgage payments.

Today we are asking every single member to review their giving and to complete a pledge card. We are asking you to complete this card whether your giving will remain the same, whether it goes down or whether you are able to increase your giving because together we are asking everyone to renew their financial commitment to God through this church. 

Those who don’t complete a card today, whether they are here or not, will be approached individually to ensure everyone has an opportunity to share in this act of re-commitment.

After a time for reflection and prayer the Church Council are asking you to bring it forward and place in the basket at the foot of the cross. Couples you need to do this together. If you are in different parts of the building come together to discuss it and pray and bring your card forward together.