Stewardship versus Fundraising

You have heard me say that there is a world of difference between Christian Stewardship and fundraising. One is a worldly way of looking at money, the other, I believe, is God’s way. But this got me thinking about some things I have been reading…

Researcher George Barna recently reported that those who attend church every week are significantly larger financial contributors. So here’s a thought: instead of asking for a financial pledge, why not ask for a pledge for those practices that make for Christian generosity? What would happen if we asked parishioners to pledge that they will attend church (here or wherever they are) every Sunday in 2019? The research tells us that this would dramatically increase the level of giving. It goes to show that our money and support will follow where we spend our time and where our loyalties lie. Right? Can you imagine a pledge card that says: I pledge to attend church 52 Sundays in 2019, 40 Sundays, 30 Sundays, whenever I don’t have something better to do (circle one)?

Barna also reported that those who have a daily practice of reading the Bible contribute a lot more financially than those who don’t. Maybe we should concentrate on encouraging daily times to meet with God in prayer and Bible reading. Besides asking the attendance question on a pledge card, we could include: I pledge to read the Bible at lease five minutes a day – 7 days a week, 5 days, 3 days, whenever I wake up and feel like it (circle one).

I am pretty sure that we will not have these on pledge cards in the near future, but I think it would be fun.  The truth is that God doesn’t want our money, he wants us. Ellen and I have found tithing (10%) is a biblical starting place for giving and a marker we have used for more than 40 years. But upholding this, and giving meaning to it, is something even more important: what Paul said to the Corinthians, “I seek not what is yours, BUT YOU” (2 Cor. 12:14).  The only effective plan for stewardship is to come to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ – to so fall in love with him that our love for money (which is big!) is a pale-love in comparison.  He wants our hearts not our money. And the heart of the matter is love.

My hope and prayer for us as we contemplate pledging for 2019 is that we will first consider the condition of our hearts, and then give in response to that!

Blessings,

Chuck Collins