We
are a wealthy church. At least, the data reveals that Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) members are wealthy. But, “Are
we good stewards?” There are several ways to
address this question. First, let us review the stewardship
of life concept. We could explore how we Presbyterians
care for the earth and all living creatures who dwell upon it.
We could check on how well we meet the opportunity we have to
respond to God’s grace. God doesn’t require dutiful
response to grace, but if we are paying attention it should
be our obvious choice. Practically, we answer the good stewardship
question by seeing how well we are meeting the congregations’
mission and ministry budgets, which include what we do together
through our connectional church. These queries will get us close
to an accurate answer, but there is a second question at the
heart of it all: “What do you do with the money
you have?”
Taken together, these two questions are somewhat like, “Are
you a good citizen?” and “Who will you vote for
to be president?” As good citizens, we always vote, especially
in a presidential election year. People at the polls know we
are good citizens because we sign in and are seen going into
the voting booth. A few of us will use bumper stickers or yard
signs to witness to our intention to vote for a particular candidate.
However, the voting booth is private and we don’t have
to tell anyone how we voted.
How people see you caring for the creation and valuing life
will communicate your efforts to be a good steward. However,
we Presbyterians tend to be very quiet about how much money
we give to the church. In fact, it seems as though we feel very
bold when we admit publicly that we give anything to the church
or to the arts or to a political campaign. My temptation is
to focus on “tithing” as the answer to both questions.
The reality of actual giving patterns makes it clear that most
church members can’t imagine giving away ten percent of
what they have. There is a disconnect between the questions
and the obvious right answer.
[An Educational Principle.] If the student is asking the question,
that student will learn upon hearing the answer.
Considering the principle, I wonder if we in the church really
want to ask what we should be doing with the money we have.
The teacher’s best friend, motivation, needs
to enter the conversation.
If asked, we could say, “God created you, saved you,
sustains you. What are you going to do about that?” If
you are asking that question, the advice is to give one’s
whole self to God. How you demonstrate that you want to give
yourself to God is to show up in worship. It’s like showing
up at the polls. It’s part of being the good citizen or
steward. The hard reality of being one of God’s is knowing
what to put in the plate.
[A Motivating Suggestion.] Change the way the “offering”
is received.
The Book of Common Worship (page 79) suggests that
the Offering begin with these words: “With
gladness, let us present the offering of our life and labor
to the Lord.” This is followed by a Scripture verse such
as, “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: It is more
blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b)
I suggest that instead of passing offering plates, everyone
who is able is invited to come forward to offer themselves and
the fruits of their labor or allowance or social security or
what they have as outlined in the Directory for Worship, Chapter
II, Section 5. Self-Offering. This method physically emphasizes
that “The Christian life is an offering of one’s
self to God. . . . ”
We take things for granted. The offering plate becomes a convenience,
a way to have more people participate in the service, and a
nice break in the talking so the choir can sing. Or taking the
offering is more like when a waitress brings the bill in a little
folder complete with a slot for the credit card and a bigger
slot for the tip. People see you paying the bill, but they can’t
tell if you are a good tipper. The offering is neither the bill
nor a tip for what’s been received!
To prepare people for this redirection, you might consider
issuing advanced notices over a six-week period in bulletin
notes, moments for mission, and newsletter articles. Call attention
to the Directory for Worship’s guiding thoughts and understandings,
and in worship use the Scripture verses provided in the Book
of Common Worship. Presented with the costly self-offering
of Jesus Christ and the renewed meaning of the Offering in worship,
we as conscientious stewards may better know what to do with
what we have. |
