Dear Friends in Christ, 

It’s the middle of the most important season of a church’s administrative life: pledging season!  It’s the time when you are asked to consider your financial commitment to the church.

Your stewardship of money and giving are especially critical during this time. As has been said, “money makes the world go round.”  It’s a way of acknowledging that money is vital for most endeavors in life including church ministry.  And, while it’s true, as has been said and sung, money can’t buy happiness or love, it can fund love.  And, in and through the church, money continually funds Christian love.   

Your stewardship and giving are especially critical at this time because there are fewer givers committed to  church-giving today.  If you want to fund similar amounts of love that you have in the past, you’re called to grow in your giving.  It’s a matter of simple math – as well as spiritual practice.  

But, of course, giving isn’t simple. It’s hard.  Giving affects one’s purse, budget, and feelings.  Giving can be rewarding, but it can also be anxiety-provoking – especially if you’re challenging yourself to give more money.  Giving can be – as well as feel – risky.  It can make us feel vulnerable, and it requires courage and trust.   

The good news is this: there are ways to mitigate the anxiety of contemplating giving more, and there are sound methods for increasing one’s giving.  These include pledging (which can be adjusted), proportional giving, (percentage-based),  giving incrementally more each year, and estate planning.  I know because I embarked on a journey when young to become a tither – a giver of 10% of my income, and, over a period of 18 years, I increased my giving by 8700%!   And, when I die, at least a tenth of any remaining assets will go to churches and other charitable organizations. 

Now, maybe tithing doesn’t seem realistic for you, but surely, some percentage of giving does.  So I encourage you to set a percentage goal this year.  Then, each year increase your percentage giving incrementally to the degree you’re able.  And, don’t leave out your will or trust.  If you follow these strategies of faith, imagine what might happen.  And, then, imagine even more – because, before I embarked on my journey of faith, I never came close to realizing how much money I could give, let alone how rewarding – and powerfully freeing, it would be!

Blessings of Giving Proportionally,
Pastor Ed