We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring. 2nd Thessalonians 1:3-4
As I write this we are in the middle of our stewardship process. You will have gotten a letter by now, and already been involved with one Sunday of hearing how our “Faith Grows” through our stewardship commitment. We may joke that “it’s that time of year again!” but I want to tell you how important your commitment to stewardship is to your relationship with Christ. When I was a young married woman, with small children to support, working part-time, my husband and I made the commitment to tithe ten percent of our income, because we felt that the scriptures were calling us to do so. It wasn’t always easy, but we wrote that check to the church first when the paychecks came in. He and I had both been raised by parents who tithed, under all circumstances. Both of our fathers were clergy-persons, and neither one of them was wealthy. But they taught us that part of being persons who walked as disciples of Jesus Christ was having faith that God would care for us, and was hearing the call to be a full part of the work of the Kingdom.
The work of our hands and hearts for the Kingdom of God, both in the church and beyond it, requires our giving. God has given to us abundantly so that we can share abundantly. When we make the commitment to join fully in the work of the church, it strengthens our relationship to the whole community, and in that it strengthens our relationship to God. The church (at least the United Methodist Church!) is not a place where “somebody else” is making decisions about how our work is to be done, and then asking you to give your “share”. Your commitment requires your voice, your hands, your prayers, and your giving, because you are a part of the whole.
This year, we’re talking about proportional giving: that means that you look at your resources and give a proportion to your faith community. Figure out what proportion of your income you’ve given this past year—can you increase it by a percentage point this year? Will you make an ultimate goal of getting to the 10 % tithe? It might not happen this year, but you can make a faith step towards getting there. The gifts that you give to Basehor UMC are used with great care, with serious oversight, and to great effect! We have made a difference here in the lives of many, and we are rejoicing! Thank you, God!
In Christ, Pastor Claudia
