Comments on: Going Way Back: Celebrating Big Givers

By: Sonja

Sonja — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:45:22 +0000

Interesting that 2 Corinthians 9 was quoted in an earlier comment. I immediately thought of that chapter, and the one preceding it, as one to “defend” the churches that are being so harshly criticized here. These verses are best understood by reading the entire chapter, but check these out:

2 Corinthians 8:8-9 – I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:24 – Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

(Paul is not really encouraging anonymous giving here…)

My church has regular dinner that is open to anyone willing to give a certain amount “above the tithe” every year. It is not based on the amount we tithe, but the amount we give towards expansion projects and vision.

My husband and I are not wealthy, but we are excited to make the necessary sacrifices to give this reasonable amount and attend the dinners made up of other people with the same passion to help build the church. We love our church. We don’t love our money. That’s why we don’t get offended about this.

By: Tom Becker

Tom Becker — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:36:13 +0000

I agree with Eropper….

The verse in Corinthians is right on. I especially like the comment from Barna about the attention to their own personal vision rather than God’s. So true.

By: EROPPER

EROPPER — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:53:21 +0000

How about we all stop drinking the “kool-aid” of the institutional “church” and their “tithing” and follow what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Another great quote from Barna’s “Revolution” I think applies :)
“They have no use for churches that play religious games, whether those games are worship services that drone on without the presence of God or ministry programs that bear no spiritual fruit. Revolutionaries eschew ministries that compromise or soft sell our sinful nature to expand organizational turf. They refuse to follow people in ministry in leadership positions who cast a personal vision rather than God’s, or who seek popularity rather than the proclamation of truth in their public statements, or who are more concerned about their own legacy than that of Jesus Christ. They refuse to donate one more dollar to man-made monuments that mark their own achievements and guarantee their place in history.”

dangit, I ran out of ” …… ;) … I guess I have to stop….. ;)

By: Tom Becker

Tom Becker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:19:54 +0000

No question, it’s nobody elses business what you give. My former pastor at a market-driven church knew how much the staff made and we were expected to give accordingly but we could not know how much HE made or gave.

If you don’t think this thing about givers being honored at dinners and such actually takes place, there are probably a lot of things going on in your church you don’t know about.

There are other ways to give also such as serving with your time. People who sacrifice and give of their talents and expertise to do things like paint and lay carpet or repair in the church building are giving also.

Love that you re-posted this Anne.

By: Jennifer Gerhardt

Jennifer Gerhardt — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:34:21 +0000

I can’t help thinking of the dinner parables Jesus tells–especially about the one where we’re told to leave the good seat so we’re not embarrassed when someone more important comes in and we have to be moved. I wonder if our perceptions of people are totally wrong–if, like you said, the biggest givers (think the widow with the mites) aren’t actually on our big giver lists. I wonder if the people we honor with the best seats wouldn’t be unseated by a clearer sighted host.
And I wonder about people who accept the seats of honor. I don’t think it’s wise. Maybe not wrong, but probably not wise.