LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 93

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CONVENTION ESSAYS 93

ond assumption is that you and I together agree with the
President of the Synod who says yes to congregational of-
ferings and yes also to direct gifts.

My final assumption is that you see growth in giving as
something uniquely spiritual, godly. Money is not a dirty
word. Christ wasn’t timid about the subject of money.

Read the gospel of Matthew and note all the teaching
Jesus does about money, wealth, priorities—all the exam-
ples—all the analogies: ~

Matthew 6:2— When you give a gift, sound no trumpet.

6:19— Don’t lay up treasures on earth but lay
up treasures in heaven.

6:24— You can not serve God and wealth.
6:34— Don’t worry about tomorrow.
7:11— Your Father knows how to give good
gifts.
10:10— The laborer deserves his food.
10:31— Sparrows are cheap—you are precious.

13:44— The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure
hidden in a field—like a pear! of great
value.

16:24— Let’ a man deny himself and follow
Christ.

17:24— Pay your taxes.

18:10— Seek the lost.

18:23— The king will settle accounts with ser-
vants.

19:16— Love God, not wealth.
20:1— The master decides the wages.
21:12— Keep holy things holy.
21:33— Strive to be a good manager.
22:15—- Do all things legally.
23:11— The servant is the greatest.
24:45— Be faithful in your servanthood.
25:14— Use all your talents wisely.
26:6— Jesus deserves the best.
28:16— Live to fulfill the Great Commission.
“Make disciples; baptize; teach all I have commanded
you.” Much of what Christ had to say was couched in fi-
nancial terms or used financial examples. He gave us the
divine prescription for growth in giving:
¢ Serve God alone; not God and wealth.
¢ Lay up treasures in heaven.
e Pay your taxes/do all things legally.
Give to the poor.

Keep holy things holy.
Use all your talents.
Give the best to the Lord.

What Has Changed in Christian Giving?

Significantly, the manner in which Christians give their
-best to the Lord has changed dramatically over the last
years. It used to be that all of our financial offerings were

given to and through the congregation. Today the norm is

quite different.

National studies tell us today the average church mem-
ber gives 50% of his or her offering to the local congrega-
tion. Additionally that same steward supports 10 or more
charitable causes—some of them are church related; some
are not. .

There are over 1.25 million not-for-profit organizations
in the U.S. today. All of them have work to do. All of them
do it on a basis of charitable contributions. It’s no wonder
our mail boxes are stuffed with requests.

These organizations cover the gamut of concerns. Some
of them are the 6000+ congregations which make up our
Synod. Then there are 35 Districts, each with opportuni-
ties. We must also take into account our two seminaries
and ten colleges; the numerous high schools and grade
schools which express in large measure our commitment to
Christian education. Missions, World Relief, Human Care,
Evangelism, Black Ministry, and KFUO (to name but a
few) round out one side of the “synodical recipient pie.” The
other side is composed of auxiliaries such as LWML, LLL,
and recognized services organizations such as Bethesda,
Good Shepherd Home, Mill Neck Manor, Lutheran Child
and Family Services, and the like.

There are other Christian ministries and organizations
which seek (and gain) the support of our people. To name
only a few: the Salvation Army, Billy Graham, Robert
Schuler, and Focus on the Family. Members of the LCMS
are Major, major contributors to these and other Christian
causes.

Then let’s add a few more opportunities for giving
growth to the roster: museums, hospitals, the American
Cancer Society, the National Cystic Fibrosis Society, the
Nature Conservancy, the Science Club, the National Rifle
Association, and Pheasants Forever.

You can check a box on your tax return to support polit-
ical campaigning. Frankly that’s too easy. If you really
want to understand the direct-mail aspect of charitable giv-
ing, make a contribution to the Republican National Com-
mittee. Then take a bushel basket to your mailbox each
day; make an extra pot of coffee; sit back and read your ap-
peals from every candidate and for every cause you can
imagine. :

Suffice it to say, in terms of where and how Christians
give their dollars, it’s a new day. For church people to be-
moan the fact that other ministries and other organizations
beyond the local church have needs and seek funding really
misses the point. We are them. We are the hospital sup-
porter, museum volunteer, the soup kitchen cook, the radio
and television listener, and the Democratic or Republican
party member. . ;

Also for us to assume that we hold out to our people only
a congregational budget and a packet of envelopes for them
to consider misses the point. Trying just to hunker down,
get focused, and relate only to the congregational budget
doesn’t come to grips with the vast variety of opportunities
and ways in which Christians give today.

These changes cause some people both fear and anger.
In its worst form anger is evidenced in statements which
ascribe ownership of a donor (or a donor’s wallet) to a par-

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