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Hello friends,
“The donor received no goods or services in exchange for the gift” is often listed in the fine print of a donation acknowledgement form. This is so that the IRS knows that the donor did not receive something of value for the gift that was given to the organization.
I have recently been thinking about giving. I know that you may think that because I am a Pastor, I always think about giving. But that’s not the case. I don’t really like talking about it. But I was recently convicted about how I was giving my offering to God. How should we give our tithes and offerings? And to whom are we giving them? Why do you give? Is it because you want to offer your sacrifice to New Covenant or to the ELCA? Perhaps you have a tax strategy in mind? But shouldn’t our gifts be offered to God? “Or who has given a gift to him to receive a gift in return?” Romans 11:35
I believe that when we offer our gifts that our giving should be focused on God. Giving is something that happens between you, and God. We give our sacrifice to God because of all that God has given us. I remember when I was a young Pastor and our church had made a decision that was not supported by everyone. I was making hospital visits and the volunteer who gave out the room numbers to the Pastors was a member of our church. She told me that she and her husband were going to stop giving to the church because of the decision we had made (I think it was to greet one another at the beginning of the service). I don’t know what possessed me as a young Youth Pastor, but I looked at her and said “that’s fine, but you better give that money somewhere. Maybe you will consider giving it to world hunger.” I knew from the look on her face that she was at a loss for words. She was using their giving as a leverage for what she wanted at the church, but what “I wanted her to see is that giving is first and foremost, a sacrificial offering to God! How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?” 1 John 3:17
Like I said, giving has been on my heart and mind. I invite you to reflect on why you give. And then ask yourself the question, “Does my practice of the faith align with my theological perspective?”
This Sunday, we will look at the concept of the church and how we live that out in our faith. If you are reading ahead, you can look at Philippians 3:1-11 and think about how we can “Make some Joy!” Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Pastor Steve
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