-Written By Larry Grine (Member and Community Group Host)-
Many things are different these days. For instance, we’re not gathering to worship together. This change is significant since experiencing face-to-face fellowship is a big part of many of our lives.
It would be easy to question, “Since I’m not going to church, why should I continue to give? After all, if I can’t go to my favorite restaurant because it’s closed then I don’t continue to spend money there.” This kind of thinking isn’t new. Even before the current crisis related to the coronavirus, people have tended to practice this mentality when they go on summer trips. When people don’t attend the weekend gatherings, their giving goes on vacation as well.
This line of reasoning and the resulting lack of giving betray three key misunderstandings: Who God is, who we are, and what giving is.
First, who is God? He is the sovereign Creator, King over all. He is not a waiter anticipating a tip while hoping his service has pleased us. He is not a performer hanging on our applause to show him how happy we are with the show. God is not gullible and easy to manipulate; we cannot con him into thinking that he is the one who is obligated to honor us financially. God will not bow to our demands and meet our greeds. He doesn’t owe us; he is God.
Second, who are we? We are God’s people. We are not consumers; we are the body of Christ, the church. The phrase, “go to church,” conveys a misconception. Our church isn’t the building we meet in on Sunday mornings. We, the people, are the church. So, even when we can’t gather together, we are still the people of God, united in covenant community.
Third, what is giving? Giving isn’t a payment for a performance; it is an act of worship as the people of God respond to God’s gracious generosity. What does giving accomplish? Giving is also the way we continue to support the many facets that together comprise our common commitments. When we are not attending, the expenditures remain the same. Salaries, rent, and missions don’t change when we can’t gather to worship together. When we give, we get to faithfully participate in something bigger than ourselves.
You might think, “All this is motivational, but I’m out of work! The pandemonium related to the pandemic has affected my income!” Fortunately God knows your situation and doesn’t hold you responsible for what you cannot do. In 1 Cor. 8:12, we read, “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” Our responsibility is proportional to how we’ve been blessed and some of us are not particularly blessed financially right now. Be creative, what else do you have to offer? There are many ways to honor God and bless others.
The people mentioned in 2 Cor. 8 weren’t so preoccupied with what they didn’t have that they missed the chance to do something with what they did have. Verse 2 says, “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” What made them special and an example to others was their attitude, their willingness, not the amount of their gift. They were enthusiastic and faithful despite hardship.
I’ll end with a summary. Some things have not changed:
1. God is worthy of worship. When times are good, he is worthy. When times are bad he is still worthy. He is unchanging and so also should be our response to him.
2. We are the people of God. We are the body of Christ, the church, in covenant community. We are not merely consumers, wanting to get our money’s worth.
3. Giving is a way the people of God worship and it also meets real ongoing needs. I could add that giving also reflects the condition of our hearts.
I urge you to commit yourself to consistently and sacrificially supporting what God is still doing in and through Mission.