There are few topics that create more controversy or conflict when presented from the pulpit than stewardship. More specifically, it gets really uncomfortable in the room when we start talking about finances and giving. People get a little bit sensitive and, at times, defensive when you talk about their money and even more so when you ask them to give some of it away. In fact, one of the top reasons people say they left a church to attend another or left the church altogether is “all they did was ask for money.”
I want to be a pastor and church driven and defined by our mission. The reality, however, is that the execution of our mission does require money.
For reasons that are somewhat unclear to me, this is something that resonates with me. It is very important to me that I NOT be a pastor that makes constant appeals for money from the pulpit and that we, as FBC Seymour, NOT be known as a church defined by our financial status. It is my deep desire that we be a church that is defined by a deep dedication to understanding of and obedience to the Word of God and that consequently seeks to extend the light and love of the gospel in our community and the world at large in both word and deed. I want to be a pastor and church driven and defined by our mission. The reality, however, is that the execution of our mission does require money. So, from time to time, as uncomfortable as it may be, we do have to make the ask.
Everyone has their own stories about how they developed their perceptions of giving and the church. Sadly, there’s no shortage of stories of pastors, churches, and religious organizations who have abused and misused the monies entrusted to them. But, by God’s good grace, I haven’t personally experienced any such situation. Back to my childhood, I’ve been blessed to be a part of churches that have worked very hard to keep the main thing the main thing. They were all devoted to using the resources entrusted to them responsibly for the glory of God and the good of others. In fact, in my younger years I was eager to contribute to my church. There was a point in time where giving was a GET TO, not a GOT TO.
Two early personal examples immediately come to mind. My Grandma Ruth was a wonderful woman. She was the very best example of what a devoted old church lady could be. When she was in town, it was 100% certain that we would be in church if the doors were open. She always had a steady supply of Tic Tacs, which she would give us throughout the service, and she would always give us money to put in the plate. On one occasion, she gave me two dollars. One dollar was for me to keep and the other was for me to put in the offering plate when it passed. I was so excited to GET TO participate in the offering. I couldn’t wait until the plate came down our pew so I could put my dollar in. When the plate came, it was all I had imagined and more. My heart was filled with joy. So much so that I asked Grandma Ruth if I could give the second dollar as well. She gave me the go-ahead and so I put it in the plate as it passed in the pew behind us. It was a banner day!
The second example surrounds little milk carton-looking coin containers my church sent home with the children of the church a few times a year. My parents had to hide their change when those bad boys came out. My brother, sister, and I would scour the house for any unclaimed coin we could find. We also raided our piggy banks. We wanted to fill our cartons because we knew we would GET TO walk to the front of the sanctuary and give our special offerings to help make the mission happen.
At some point giving felt less like a special privilege and more like a rote responsibility.
I don’t know when the feeling faded and the GET TO suddenly devolved into a GOT TO. At some point giving felt less like a special privilege and more like a rote responsibility. My theory is that as we transition into adulthood giving gets lumped in with all of the many bills that come due. Business begins to obscure the blessing; obligation threatens to eliminate elation.
It reminds me of these words from the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” There is a sense in which giving is a responsibility; it is something we have GOT TO do as followers of Jesus. But, it is also a special privilege. We GET TO participate in what God is doing in the world. May we find the joy in giving and may God receive and use our offerings in great ways for His glory and the good of the world.
