Redeemer Lutheran Church

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Talking About Money in God’s House

Christians give to the Lord because they are grateful. The giving of themselves in totality - body, mind, spirit, talents, time and material resources - is the Christian way of expressing their thankfulness to God for all that they have. Responding to the immeasurable love and grace of God, dedicated Christians open their hearts and hands toward God in a spirit of appreciation and love.

Henry Brinton, a Virginia pastor, addressed this in an article entitled “It’s Tough to Talk About Money in God’s House.”
Rev. Brinton recalls a woman who attended worship regularly and consistently thanked him for the spiritual help she was receiving. However, when the stewardship campaign began and she was offered the opportunity to make a pledge, she felt offended and never returned.
Statistics have been gathered about how much the average churchgoer gives to the church. It turns out that the average Protestant now gives less than 2.5% of the household income. Sadly, that is down from 3.3% at the height of the Depression! Even sadder is the jarring fact that only 20% of church members do most of the giving.

“I can’t help imagining how much churches, and the segment of society helped by churches, would benefit if everyone would just dig a little deeper when the plate is passed,” concluded Rev. Brinton.
—Adapted from The Arizona Republic 

Tithing is a Gift of Love

It is important to remember that tithing is an attitude of giving. The amount you give or how it compares to the gifts of others doesn’t really matter.

What matters is that when you give, you give of yourself, all your loving concern, your affirmation of devotion to God, your good will to humankind, and your service to Christ. When you give with this spirit, then you are giving the fullest capacity of your spiritual, physical and mental resources.

A true gift is a portion of your self. When you give in this manner, you become an instrument of God. It is the gift of love.