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The Culture of Giving and Stewardship in the Church

Greetings Ministry Partners,

The Vietnamese are widely regarded as generous and hospitable. They often sacrifice their own comforts to host guests with better meals and accommodations than they would do for themselves. Yet, why do Vietnamese believers contribute so sparingly to their own church? Let us explore this question through the lens of cultural values deeply ingrained in the Vietnamese psyche. 

1. Cultural Reciprocity: Vietnamese culture values the principle of “reciprocity,” where giving is often tied to receiving. When engaging with the church, many see their prayers or offerings as acts of devotion that should be met with blessings or divine intervention in return. This reflects a transactional view of spirituality shaped by cultural norms.
2. Ancestor Worship and Divine Protection: Traditionally, Vietnamese spirituality focuses on ancestor worship and seeking protection from higher powers. People believe that divine forces have the ability to influence their lives, fostering a mindset of requesting help during difficult times rather than serving as an act of selflessness.
3. Historical and Agrarian Influences: Vietnam’s agrarian history, marked by uncontrollable natural disasters and hardships, has reinforced humility and reliance on supernatural forces. This dependence cultivated a cultural habit of seeking divine blessings for security and prosperity.
4. Religious Influences: Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, which emphasize karma and divine intervention, have deeply influenced Vietnamese thought. This background shapes the belief that blessings are gifts from higher powers, obtained through prayer and devotion.

Vietnamese people’s approach to the church reflects a cultural emphasis on seeking blessings for personal and communal well-being, rooted in reciprocity, reliance on divine protection, and historical traditions. This mindset prioritizes receiving over serving in spiritual practice.

We pray that cultural barriers will make way for truth. As Scripture declares, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). We believe that when believers are rightly taught the biblical doctrine of stewardship, we will witness the church’s transformative power—where cultural generosity and biblical truth converge.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

CCI Vietnam National Director

New Classes

We are pleased to announce that this February, we have added two new classes to our learning journey with CCI Vietnam. Both classes, with 34 students, are in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Please pray for our students and our faithful teachers.  

Two new classes started this month in the Central Highlands Vietnam.

Classes in the Northern Provinces

Training

A God's Financial Principles (GFP) seminar and Love & Biblical Dating seminar were held last month.

Staff Update

I had the opportunity to preach and promote CCI in a church at Calumpang and Lipa City, Philippines.

We are pleased to inform the CCI family that the wife of our bookkeeper, has given birth to a baby girl. The baby girl is now three weeks old, weighing: 3.1kg. Both mother and child are healthy. Please pray for her health and for her to be a great joy to the family.

Testimonies

Testimony from a Student

"As a pastor's wife, being equipped with a systematic learning program is very important for me to be able to support my husband in serving God better. Book #6 (Personal Spiritual Life) has equipped me with a solid spiritual journey in my relationship with God and with people, especially believers in the church. This course has brought me many benefits beyond my expectations. I will continue to study to be more equipped for the ministry, as a ministry supporter for my husband."

GFP Participant's Testimony

"Through the God's Financial Principles (GFP) Seminar, I have come to realize that property, family, and myself all belong to God. I am just a steward, a manager of God's property. We must be faithful with what we have, even the smallest. Talent and success do not come from people but from God's gift. In addition, the course has also helped me understand the truth of giving. Giving must come from love and joy. I desire to be a faithful steward of God. I am inspired to save regularly and give faithfully."

Resolving Conflict in a Godly Way Seminar Testimony

"I am deeply grateful to God for guiding me to study the nature of conflict. Through this journey, I've come to understand that every person carries both light and shadow within them—a capacity for good and a potential for harm. Before this study, I often fixated on the flaws of others, allowing negativity to cloud my perspective. But learning about conflict transformed my mindset: I now see that choosing to focus on the good in others—even in those I might consider "enemies"—is key to living joyfully and peacefully. This shift not only frees me from bitterness but also strengthens my relationships and connection to community. By embracing this truth, I walk closer to God's heart, where grace and reconciliation thrive.

Thank you, God, for this insight, and thank you, Pastor S and CCI, for equipping us with wisdom that bridges divides and heals hearts."

Crossing Cultures International

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