Mark's thoughts: Our offering in the life of faith

 

“In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).

 

“One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:6-7).

 

These are the first two Scripture passages that are listed in the Small Catechism’s Table of Duties under the heading “What the Hearers Owe Their Pastors.” They state the biblical truth that Christians are to provide for the material needs – the livelihood - of the pastors who preach and teach the Gospel to them (see also 1 Timothy 5:17-18). Congregations support their pastor through their offerings.  Of course, the congregation also needs a place where it can gather to receive the Means of Grace as this ministry takes place.  And so the offering given provides for the pastor and church building, along with the necessary expenses that occur in the life of the congregation. 

 

Our offerings are used for a very practical purpose.  This purpose, however, is not the reason that we give offerings. Instead, Christians give an offering for two reasons.  First, it is a way in which we keep the First Commandment. We give thanks to God and honor him as the source of every blessing that we have received.  As Proverbs 3:9 states, “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” Second, we do so in response to gift that God has given us in the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ. When Paul talked about the collection that the Corinthians were taking up to support the Church in Jerusalem he said, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

 

These are the reasons that we give an offering.  Scripture also tells us the attitude with which we are to do this.  St. Paul wrote: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

 

The New Testament does not tell us how much we are to give as we live in this time when Christ has died for us and risen from the dead.  However, the Church has seen the practice that God commanded for Israel to be a model.  Israel was commanded to give a tithe – to give ten percent.  This tithe was given at different times to be used at the celebration of the festivals in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 14:22-26), to provide a livelihood for the Levites (Numbers 18:24) (who were themselves to give a tithe out of this tithe; 18:25-26), and to provide for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

 

The tithe – ten percent – provides a biblically grounded goal for our offering.  We give on the basis of the blessings that God has given to us.  There may be times when a tithe is not possible.  When this is the case, we give as we are able.  This evaluation also requires us to be honest with ourselves about the various other ways we are using the blessings we have received.

 

The goal of the tithe is based on the blessing that God gives to us each year.  We seek to give a tenth of our income in our offering during the course of the year.  This process of giving is not always smooth and even. There are times when we are unable to attend the Divine Service.  There are times when we may forget to bring an offering.  Technology can be a great assistance in this.  Many congregations provide the opportunity to give your offering via direct deposit. In this way the offering is given regularly and without interruption.

 

Our offering is something that we should consider each year as we look at how God is blessing us.  Where the tithe is a goal that we are working towards, we examine whether it is possible to make a small step forward – say one percent.  Where the tithe is the offering that we are giving, we check to see whether our offering still reflects the income that we are actually receiving. As God blesses us with more, we respond by giving more. Likewise, if God blesses us with less, we will probably end up giving less.  Since our income usually changes from year to year, our offering will as well. This yearly examination of our offering is part of the life of faith.