Summary:
• Every member should give out of gratitude and duty.
• Every member should give sacrificially.
• Every member should prayerfully decide how much he or she gives.
Discussion:
Each of us is ultimately responsible to God for the nature and extent of our giving. However, as Christians, we know that our giving should be based on at least two things: (a) the teachings of Him whom we acknowledge as Lord, and (b) the promises we made to God and to each other when we joined the church. Jesus taught that giving should be a joyful expression of our gratitude to God as well as part of our effort to bring His kingdom to fulfillment (II Cor. 9:6-15; Luke 12:48b). And when we joined the church, we promised to "serve Christ in his Church by . . . supporting and participating in its worship and work to the best of [our] abilit[ies]." Christian giving is therefore motivated by both gratitude and duty, and it is expected of each of us. For this reason, our Campaign Committee is praying for, and seeking, the support of 100% of our active members.
However, although each of us is expected to give, no one can tell us exactly how much to give (II Cor. 9:7). That is based on our ability, our willingness, and our commitment to the work of Christ's church. We do not ask for equal gifts, but rather equal sacrifice (Luke 12:48b). The person with modest means who pledges $10,000 over three years may be making a larger sacrifice in God's eyes than the person who pledges $100,000. But as King David reminds us (II Sam. 24:24), we should not give to the Lord that which costs us nothing. Each of us must decide the sacrifice that we are able to make, willing to make, and committed enough to make.
Some of our members (about a third) pledged and gave generously in 2004. They pledged $3.6 million and have so far given $2.4 million of that amount, many of them sacrificially. They have laid the foundation. Now it is time for those who did not pledge and give in 2004, and those who have joined since then, to step forward with their own commitments. At the same time, we realize that in order to achieve our final goal, the continuing and additional support of those who gave in 2004 will also be needed.
Remembering the commands of our Lord and our promises to each other, let's all do our very best. If we do, and with God's help, the remaining $3.6 million is well within our reach.