This past Sunday was an uncomfortable day for the pastor at our church. It was a day that he had to talk about giving & tithing - two things I’m sure pastors feel like they never talk about, but two things that I’m sure congregants feel like they talk about too much. It also seems to never fail that churches have more visitors on days when the sermon is about giving the church, which is uncomfortable for everyone, and with all of those facts in mind, yes, this past Sunday’s sermon was about giving.
I’ve always thought the giving can look like a lot of things, money being one of them, obviously, but also time.
One of my friends, John, is in medical school, and he has always believed in tithing his time, especially while in school and taking out loans. He has the conviction that he can’t tithe money while he doesn’t have a job and by using student loan funding, so he goes above and beyond to serve, which I have always respected.
On the other hand, I have a friend who’s a devout atheist, and he’s creating a nonprofit business based on giving back 11% of all proceeds; that’s 1% better than the 10% mark that the Church often instills as how much one should tithe. I respect that business model as well, and how he wants to put into practice the idea that one doesn’t have to go to Church to do good things in the world.
Then, there’s my wife and I, both with jobs, both going to Church and both giving back. But how much is enough? How much is not enough? Both in time and in cash. It’s a question that is different for all families and all individuals, and it’s one we talk about often, but I always wonder - will it ever feel like we’re giving enough? Just as I wonder - will it ever feel like I have enough?
Two questions. Opposite ends of the spectrum. Never clear answers.
-Cliff
-Cliff’s Note: Even though there are questions in giving, give gladly.