2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

This passage is remarkable in explaining the whole concept of giving. Sadly, we are surrounded by a cacophony of voices begging for donations, to the point that it tends to turn us off to them all. That is sad because some of them are worthy indeed, but we would have to be exceedingly rich financially to respond to even a fraction of them. At this point, politicians are some of the most insistent, which can be particularly irritating even when we like them as candidates. On top of that, some of the pleas that on the surface seem noble are in fact no more than scams, with only a fraction of the funds collected going to the purported cause. It all calls for spiritual discernment as well as a healthy dose of common sense. There is a motivational gift/personality type of Giving, (Romans 12:8) and such people are particularly in need of discernment and common sense or they will be bled dry in no time. I have known people who needed specific interventions to keep them from giving to the point of damaging themselves and those around them. Whereas that might bring to mind the second verse in this chapter, (Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.) they can easily become patsies for the unscrupulous. We are all called to stewardship of what the Lord places in our hands, and not just finances. Some people give so much of their time that they destroy their own health! Accurate stewardship calls for faith that God is our ultimate Source, (Genesis 22:14, James 1:17) as well as total submission to Him as to what to do with what He has provided.

I am very aware of the tensions involved with money in the Church. I have consistently been turned off by preachers who were constantly begging for money. Many people feel that’s all that churches do! From the beginning of this church we have avoided “passing the plate,” but rather have had a designated offering box where people could be anonymous in their giving. I agree that giving is a part of worship, but at one point I yielded to such arguments and we tried “passing the plate” for a few months. Our intake dropped noticeably! On the other side, I have testified many times of how faithful the Lord has been to meet our financial needs since Cathy and I committed to consistent tithing, and that’s been for over 50 years now. For the past several years we have increased that to 15%, and our bank balance continues to grow! I try to let God be in charge of both our income and our expenses, and I find that He’s a much more generous accountant than I am!

Father, the whole matter of finances has tripped up so many people, both inside and outside the Church. Help me not only be a good steward myself, but lead those in my care to be likewise, so that Your plans for what You put in our hands may be fulfilled, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!