Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
Where Your Treasure Is
A monthly stewardship update from the CCCCOctober 2011
Treasure
 
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This newsletter is developed by the leadership team of the Comprehensive Campaign, "Sharing His Vision - More Than We Can Imagine".

"Where Your Treasure Is" is an email devotional from the CCCC office to your inbox around the 15th of every month, to remind us of biblical principles of stewardship.  This initiative was launched because our Lord has said much about Stewardship, and all His people are to be listening.  I hope you find these devotionals helpful.   If you do, feel free to forward this publication to others, inviting them to join our mailing list to receive it directly in the future.  If you do not wish to receive this monthly devotional an unsubscribe link is provided on the bottom of this page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I must admit, I was never comfortable talking about it. The expressions on people's faces in the congregation changed (or at least I thought they did) when I mentioned it. Tithing! I eventually had to ask the Lord's forgiveness for being so apologetic - like I was forced to preach on this topic at least one time each year!

 

"Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me.

"But you say, 'How have we robbed you?'

"In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3:8-12).

 

I know you're probably familiar with that passage - and have even likely either preached or taught on it. But let those words sink in for a moment.

 

I fully understand that, in Christ, we are no longer under the "letter" of the Law; however, we have never been freed from living under the Spirit of the Law. This is not a call to contribute a legalistic tenth of our income, but a call to give the very best - the first fruits - to the Lord. These are not dues that we must pay, but rather an act of worship we want to offer. For some, it works out to be around a literal tenth. For others, it varies but averages far more. It's not about money - but about love. And God challenges his people to follow through and experience the results he will lavish upon us in response.

 

Problem #1: Guilt. Nearly every day I talk to pastors and church leaders who express their concern because offerings are down. And when the Conference prayerfully asks our membership for increased support, it is not unusual for people to quietly wonder where that increase will come from. What's worse, twice in recent months, I have heard pastors use guilt as a tool to raise giving. This should not be! If our parishioners are giving out of guilt or a sense of duty, they are NOT giving as an act of worship! Guilt, while a great worldly motivator, can never hope to produce such a kingdom lifestyle. Rather, we must lay the truth before them and trust the Holy Spirit to stir them to action through our intercession on their behalf.

 

Problem #2: Example. It makes people uncomfortable - and pastors are people too - but I have elected to have some fairly pointed conversations of late. When a pastor or church leader bemoans to me that people are not tithing, I have now learned to ask if they themselves are consistent tithers. As you can expect, the answer is most often 'no.' I have found that people are only uncomfortable with that question when they are NOT tithing. Those that regularly practice this act of loving worship may not want to talk dollar amounts, but they usually respond with joy to the question. In fact, they often follow that response by giving testimonies of how God has literally fulfilled his promise (see Malachi 3:10 above)! A pastor cannot expect his flock to do something that he is not doing himself.

 

Problem #3: Expectation. Whether driven by fear, discomfort, or some other catalyst, I find that in most churches there is absolutely no expectation expressed that people will worship through a tithe. I recently asked a pastor friend if the elders of his church were tithers. He responded, "I have no idea." In a knee-jerk reaction to financial improprieties within Christendom, we have mistakenly developed the notion that a pastor cannot know basic information about givers in the church. Ironically, that same pastor knows intimate details about marriages, addictions, abuse, familial dysfunction, immorality, and even issues in both the school and workplace - but to ask a person if they support the church financially (let alone if they tithe) is anathema. There is something wrong with this picture. We do not have to ask for dollar amounts, but it is perfectly appropriate for a pastor to look a parishioner (and especially church leaders) in the eye and ask if they are tithing. And just for good measure, those people can ask the pastor the same question! There must be an expectation that God's people - from the pastor through the pews - are consistently worshipping God by giving him the first and the best.

 

Problem #4: Debt. One of the biggest single reasons people (and pastors) give for not tithing consistently is "the economy." And while I do not wish to belittle the impact our US economy has had on the citizenry, this is only an authentic problem if you have lost your job or your income has been cut below the literal costs of providing life necessities. For the majority of Americans, the economy has only become a problem because of debt. We owe more on houses, cars and other things than we can afford to pay. Credit card debt is a particular monster within the church today. And these issues are just as sticky for pastors as for parishioners. The primary place where people should learn how to retire debt, be good stewards of their wealth, and plan appropriately for their future is in Christian community! The source of stewardship principles is the Word of God! And they work. Make no mistake; debt is very likely a huge issue facing your flock. So address it! Look to partners like Crown Financial and the Dave Ramsey organization for tools and training. Empower your people to beat this thing. (My personal favorite is Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University). Partner together with several churches to impact your whole town. It will make a noticeable difference.

 

Yes, the CCCC has asked our constituency for increased support so that we can follow what we believe with holy conviction is God's vision set before us. But we have said from the very beginning that our desire is to help our local congregations also experience an increased financial blessing. So take the pressure off and read this article in light of your own local needs. Motivate your flock with truth, not guilt - regularly informing them of the needs to accomplish their kingdom ministry and then interceding for them about their response. Lead by example - allowing them to see your own sacrifices and offerings. Help your people to eliminate and then live free from the debt that binds them. And set the expectations high - asking your flock (and especially those in leadership) to offer God pure worship through their time, talents and their tithes. Test God in this! And see if he does not lavish his love and blessings back upon you and your church. And when he does, remember the work he is doing nationally through your Conference.

 

Blessings!
 

John Kimball
CCCC Director of Conference Care & Church Development