FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Todd Gaddis

withdrawn from my checking account. Why would I not make absolutely sure I give back to God a portion of what He’s given to me? As pastor, I notice that members are always on the go, here one week gone the next. People get ill and sometimes just have to crash. I understand. I need and like to take a Sunday off now and then myself. We are still responsible for making sure our gift makes it to church, even if we don’t. Of course, we can bring it the next time we come, but that can mound up in a hurry. Lots of people prefer that their dollars go toward special projects and designated causes like the organ fund, stained glass windows, benevolence, etc. These and other causes are wonderful, but should never take the place of regular budget giving. If everyone gave as God directs, we would not have to make special appeals and hold capital campaigns. I realize that many people are on fixed incomes and others get compensated on an irregular basis. God understands that. I’m not trying to be legalistic about the matter. I do, however, have a passion about church stewardship. It’s not right that ten to twenty percent of the givers account for eighty percent or more of the giving. And it’s certainly wrong when small disagreements lead a member to stop giving to the church. Consider these words from America’s first billionaire, the late John D. Rockefeller, who gave away more than $500 million, $5 billion in today’s money. The founder of Standard Oil Company faithfully tithed his whole life, a practice he started as a child. Rockefeller recalled:

I had to begin work as a small boy to help support my mother. My first wages amounted to $1.50 per week. The first week after I went to work, I took the $1.50 home to my mother and she held the money in her lap and explained to me that she would be happy if I would give a tenth of it to the Lord. I did, and from that week until this day I have tithed every dollar God has entrusted

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