Did I Forget to Tell You… that GIVING is Gratitude to God-- Not a vote of approval or control?
If I was a betting person, I would have bet my life that I have said a million times that we give in gratitude for all God has given to us.
But I swear, people must have heard something different. They have the not-at-all church idea that “what I give – or withhold—is all about what I approve of.” Giving shifts from gratitude to God to a focus on what we like and do not like. It is a move to selfishness instead of God’s generosity.
I understand the world operates on the principle of money as the currency of influence. The more people give to politicians, the more access they expect. And often, the more deference politicians give to their donors. People give to civic clubs to bolster their influence. They give to Country Clubs or educational institutions or civic organizations for influence and prestige.
So I know it happens all the time.
But that is not what we do in church. The gift the church gives to people is perspective: God perspective.
One of my most interesting experiences as a District Superintendent was the summer of 2009. I had come for the first Sunday of a newly-appointed pastor, who preached a wonderful sermon straight from the gospel. Quoting directly from Luke 4, the pastor spoke of Jesus mission: “To bring good news to the poor….”. And the pastor rightly said, “If it’s not good news to the poor, it’s not the good news of Jesus.”
On the way out of the church, a man stopped me. He asked if I was the new District Superintendent. When I said yes, he said that he wanted me to know that he was heading straight to the church office to take back the check he had written to the church that morning. I guess he thought I was going to have some kind of big reaction.
When I did not respond with an “Oh no! Don’t do that!”, he launched into telling me that he was a physician and he gave lots of money to the church and lots of charitable causes in the community. But he was not going to give his money to support a message like the preacher. He was, he repeated, going to the church office to retrieve his check.
“Before you go get your check, ” I said, “could you tell me two things? One: was the sermon contrary to the message of the Bible?” “No,” he said, “ I know it is in the Bible. I just don’t like all that talk about the poor.”
“Well then, would you tell me how long you have been a United Methodist?”
“37 years,” he replied.
“Then, sir, I owe you an apology.” (He looked a little surprised.)
“Because if, in 37 years, we have not taught you that we give to God because He is good and has been generous to us—and no other reason—then I owe you an apology. Gratitude to God is the center of giving for us in the church. I know that people give to civic and political organizations to show approval and to gain influence. But that’s not how church works. We give in recognition, humility and thanks for all God has done for us. If you are giving to influence or control what a preacher says from the pulpit, then you you need to go get your check and find another denomination. If you think that what you give is a vote of approval, then go get your big check with my blessing. In church, we give to acknowledge and respect God’s goodness. Our giving is to thank Him.”
The man walked off in a huff. He did not head in the direction of the office – but if he wanted to go get his check, I was glad to have him take it. But I was so very sad about what he had said. Money – either by giving it or withholding it—is not how we acquire influence. Influence should go to people who are wise and faithful and mature in their faith…not those who immaturely want to buy their way into a church decision.
In the church, we give people (especially the wealthy) a great gift in remembering that Jesus was very clear about the spiritual dangers of wealth. Knowing that it is especially seductive for the materially blessed to become focused on themselves and what they want, it is so very important for us to say – over and over again—that we do not operate like “the world”. We call people to give to be in right relationship with God – the giver of every good and perfect gift. We call people to give to help people put God – and not themselves—at the center of the universe. We call people to give to tap into God’s goodness – which is not based on money. In a world which puts money on a supremely high pedestal, the church is the place to put God on the throne. The love of God cannot be bought or earned or deserved.
So if I haven’t said it clearly enough, let me be clear: the basis of our giving is gratitude to God. Period. If you are giving a gift to draw praise for yourself, keep your money. You would be better off to reflect on God’s goodness to you and the church will be more spiritually healthy to help you shift your self-absorbed focus.
If you are giving to try to influence what a preacher says, keep your money. That is an unholy use of money. You would be better off spiritually to pray for your pastor and engage in respectful, holy conversation with your pastor. And the church will give you a great gift by standing up for the integrity of the free pulpit. Chances are, the prayerfully considered full word of God is something you desperately need.
If you are giving to control a decision your church is making, keep your money. That is a manipulative use of money that does not reflect well on you. You would be better off to gain influence by being a faithful, wise and mature Christian leader. Those characteristics cannot be bought. The church will be more faithful to God when it does not confuse money with wisdom. The witness of the church in this arena may be one of God’s greatest gifts to you.
Give to be thankful. Give to bless others. But don’t give to control.
We give because God has given to us. We give to thank Him, to bless Him and to share in the honor of spreading His unique wisdom and love to the world. Yes, it is different than the way the rest of the world operates. That is exactly what makes our witness so central to our integrity.
