Oct 21, 2022 |
Rector's Blog Throwback Episode, What Percentage of Your Income Do You Give to The Church?
| The Rev. Philip DeVaul
Rector's Blog Throwback Episode, What Percentage of Your Income Do You Give to The Church?
...for many people – myself included, 10% has always felt nearly impossible. If we are seeking some respite from such a high percentage, the New Testament is no help: It turns out all the first Christians held their possessions in common and shared all their resources equally among one another. There’s a word for that and we American Christians don’t like it. So, what are we to do?
As an adult, I have pledged 10% not knowing how I’d make that work, and then had some miracle money fall in my lap to pay that. It’s pretty exciting once, but it’s no way to structure your life. I’ve made pledges and had to double back and decrease the amount or ask for forgiveness. These have been painful experiences that did not leave me feeling closer to God or closer to my worshiping community: Mostly I felt like a bad Christian for not getting it right, and a worse Christian for not being cheerful in giving because I was living in a scarcity mindset and was not sure how it would all work.
In every situation I’m describing to you, I always loved my church. I’ve always wanted to get it right.
As an adult, I have pledged 10% not knowing how I’d make that work, and then had some miracle money fall in my lap to pay that. It’s pretty exciting once, but it’s no way to structure your life. I’ve made pledges and had to double back and decrease the amount or ask for forgiveness. These have been painful experiences that did not leave me feeling closer to God or closer to my worshiping community: Mostly I felt like a bad Christian for not getting it right, and a worse Christian for not being cheerful in giving because I was living in a scarcity mindset and was not sure how it would all work.
In every situation I’m describing to you, I always loved my church. I’ve always wanted to get it right.
