I’ve noted that a few churches I’m familiar with have been struggling with income significantly below expectations. There could be several reasons behind that this year. The rise in the minimum standard deduction was predicted to have a negative effect on charitable giving for one. The economic uncertainties of the current trade wars could be another. And some of the reasons may have to do with local circumstances unrelated to national economy. But whatever the reason, I believe there is a fundamental flaw in our approach to giving which needs to be addressed in times of abundance or times of scarcity. It comes down to why we give and how we give. Once those are addressed, only then can we talk about where we give.
Considering the common complaint that all churches do is ask for money, it is remarkable how reluctant many clergy are to preach on the subject. One would think that is all we do. But all too often when we overcome our reluctance it is because our preaching on money is time-sensitive; i.e., it’s timed to coincide with our annual funding campaign. The primary exception seems to be those times when income is significantly below expectations. In our reluctance to address giving, save in those times of institutional need, we miss significant opportunities to engage our congregations in practices of spiritual formation whose benefits extend way beyond the exercise of financial stewardship.
Generous DNA?
Over a dozen years ago, a study on altruism linked certain variants of a gene called AVPR1a with altruistic practices. [WARNING: before we get too exercised about this, I offer my favorite maxim: For every study there is eventually an equal and opposite study.] The scientific press cautiously observed “Genes affecting generosity may be found.” A reductionist might see this as evidence that behaviors we regard as uniquely human are nothing more than the result of evolutionary biology. But anyone who believes that there is a creative intelligence behind our genetic makeup would see this as God “hard-wiring” generosity into humanity, perhaps even that this genetic connection to generosity is some element of the imago dei that still resides in us. When we invite people to give, we invite them to exercise that image of God in practical action.
The Roots of Generosity: Giving to God
The ancient world which the first books of the Bible describe was one mostly free of the illusion of self-sufficiency. The inhabitants understood, in ways we no longer do, the very chanciness of life and the miracles of provision. Our modern understanding of the mechanics of life have quietly robbed us of both wonder and gratitude. That ancient world in the pages of Genesis was sprinkled with acts of thanksgiving to God. Those occasional spontaneous acts of giving to God in Genesis (the offering of sacrifices and building of altars and pillars) gave way to a structured set of instructions on giving found in the rest of the Pentateuch. Those instructions are focused around giving in general gratitude (thank offerings), in gratitude for harvest and in gratitude for the increase of herds. Whether the giving was prescribed by law or offered spontaneously, they served to remind us of our contingency. Acts of generosity in thanksgiving still have the power to connect us to God.
Why First – Then How – Then Where
If giving is to be more than fund raising, it needs to start with why we give. First of all, it is in our divine makeup to give (the DNA part). Second, giving reminds us that all we have accomplished, all the wealth we have created, is possible only because of what God has provided for us. This includes not only our very lives, but our intelligence, our upbringing, our opportunities, our education. “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17) This is our first message and it can be given any time of the year. When it is time to preach on giving from the perspective of church income, the why of giving in our preaching serves as a reminder of what has already been proclaimed and not a new concept to be wrestled with.
The how of giving is as important as the why. In order for generosity to become a spiritual discipline that draws us closer to God it needs to remind us of what God has given to us. The key to how is in proportional giving. Under the law, giving was tied to both the first fruits of produce and animals and the tithe – the tenth belonging to God – was the model. If we focus on the tenth rather than the return of a proportion we will find our teaching to be as ineffective as various denominational declarations of the tithe as the standard. If we have $10,000 of income, giving $100, one percent, is as effective a teaching method as giving $1,000, the tithe. In a former parish we called this “Give as we receive.”
Once the why and how have become part of a congregation’s ongoing narrative we can come to the where. While why and how can be challenging as they need to be addressed throughout the year, where is more challenging for the preacher as it involves both courage and risk. In order to underscore the why and how of generosity, we need to be able to let go of our desire to seek financial security for our congregation. Where gives permission to give outside of the congregation. This becomes a teaching point as we can examine those potential recipients whose work is overtly Kingdom related (feeding the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, etc.) and those whose work may be beneficial to the community but doesn’t ’t come under that category.
When we do address the local church as the potential where of giving we are also required to give good reasons beyond “we need to support our church.” Key elements of this are transparency and accountability in the handling of finances and assuring that the values reflected in the allocation of funds align with the values of the Kingdom.
Obviously, this approach is not a quick fix for our balance sheets. It is, however, a long-term investment in the long-term health of a Christian community.
The Apprentice Priest 