STOP! YOU’RE GIVING TOO MUCH!

Moses needed money. The tabernacle was God’s idea, and God directed its construction, but there were no resources. So Moses invited anyone “whose heart stirred them” (Exodus 36:2) to give a “freewill offering” (v. 3).  No pledge cards; no pressure or guilt-inducing maneuvers; no fancy thermometer-ed campaigns, not even “fundraising.”  But, because the cause and vision were so compelling, the people opened their hearts and checkbooks and gave way more than was needed.  So Moses said, STOP! YOU’RE GIVING TOO MUCH! “for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more” (v. 7).  I don’t remember this ever happening again quite so dramatically in the Bible or in any of the churches I have served, but it happened and happens. It shows that spontaneous and joyful giving follows a great God and a great vision.

I think churches get this backward all the time. They squeeze their people like tubes of toothpaste and then they ask, “Now, how much ministry can we afford with this much money.”  That’s secular fundraising, and who likes to be treated like that? It lets money (not vision) drive the ministry. A better way, and I think the biblical way, is to tell the vision God has given us at Christ Church Anglican, and if it’s really God’s vision, it will touch our hearts and we will happily and generously support it with our money.

There are other biblical principles that have guided Ellen and me over the years, but giving to support a big God who has a big vision is by far the most important.  We have learned something about “first fruits” giving (Deuteronomy 26:1-11) – giving first to God and not from what is left over after all the other bills are paid or because it affects the charitable-contributions-line on our itemized deductions.  We have learned about tithing as a starting place for giving (Malachi 3:8) – for us, for over 40 years now, it means at least 10% of our incomes as a thank-offering to God who owns us 100% and all that we have. In more recent times we are learning about sacrificial giving tithes and offerings – 10% for someone who earns a million dollars is not much of a sacrifice, but for someone who earns $30,000 it is.  And, lastly, we are learning to give “bountifully and cheerfully” (2 Corinthians 9:6,7) – not begrudgingly but because it’s a joy.

Underlying all of this is that God wants a relationship. He is the Hound of Heaven who pursues us until we find him; who never gives up; and who will sacrifice anything (even his own life) to make peace between us and God. If you do not have this enjoyable relationship for which we are made, it is my greatest hope and prayer that you will. Your money isn’t what he wants; he wants you. God will provide for what he calls for – people who are excited and captured with the vision of Christ Church will support this vision. God is good, and he is good like that!

All blessings,

Chuck Collins