'Pulse', February 2010 - Chaplain's Contributioin

03/02/10

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9: 7)

These words of St Paul to the Christians in Corinth are inscribed on the brass Offertory plate at Holy Trinity. You will also find that they are quoted inside the cover of each of our Service books, where we tell visitors that, 'Our financial support is entirely by God's grace and through the offerings of the congregation. We trust that if you enjoy worshipping with us you will make your contribution so that God will continue to be served here, remembering that, Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9: 7). St Paul wrote this encouragement to the church in Corinth because the Corinthians had generously promised to give support to the church in Macedonia, and Paul wanted them to give cheerfully and generously. The Corinthians were not under obligation to the Macedonians, but felt moved to help a church in need.
We, like the Macedonians, should be grateful for the support we receive at Holy Trinity from fellow Christians from other churches, but we have no right to expect support unless we are fulfilling our obligation to make our contribution in our own church.
The Bible leaves us in no doubt about the contribution God expects from us as church members. In the Old Testament this was referred to as the tithe - a tenth of our economy. The book of Leviticus describes our responsibility to God: "'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord" (Leviticus 27:30). This was not for self-serving consumption in the temple, but for those in need. The book of Deuteronomy describes the distribution of the tithe: "And you...shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household. When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce...you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied (Deuteronomy 26:11-12).
And so our giving is out of thanksgiving for all that God has given to us. If our feelings of thanks are stunted then consider the promise in the words of the prophet Malachi: "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it" (Malachi 3: 8-10).

Yours in Christ
John Gulland