One of the traditional disiplines of Lent is almsgiving. Giving alms, Jesus teaches, means making the needs of others our own, especially the needy. They are all around us: children and elderly, the sick and suffering, families and individuals, neighbours and those living faraway. If we are honest we easily forget the needs of others and seldom do much about it. So let us all reflect on the fact that Jesus taught us: giving will make us live.
What shall we give to the needy this lent? In deciding, decide generously. After all, before us is the great alms Jesus gave: “He loved us, and gave himself up for us.” So why not choose a really worthy charity for a one off payment this Lent? And having done that find time to consider your wider, more regular giving.
I think there is a danger here! This is a suggestion easily ignored by the modern Christian. Why? Because money is very close to our hearts in this consumerist age. It can so easily become our ‘god’ and we can live in denial about how significant a priority it has become. I remain convinced- this is the reason most people ‘swith off’ when money is mentioned in Church. Becuase we love money, we resent the fact that God’s house requires funding. Yes, many a heart fails to find Jesus becuase it is consumed with desire for personal gain.
What has intrigued me since being a priest is people’s level of giving. In every church I have known the following is true; a committed minority give sacrifically- the rest give pitifully. And little that is said or done will change this. If you preach on giving – the sacrifical give more, the pitiful givers ignore you! Even if the budget is in defecit, or the building crumbling, people bury heads in the sand. Finance turns off the heart and ears like little else! Thus the wallet remains the very last thing people offer to God!
At S. Barnabas we have some very generous supporters. I thank God for them daily. And as a congregation we are steadily getting better…but there is still a way to go. As ever we remain frustrating close to breaking even…but a little way from it. Yet ironically, and probably at the disapproval of the Diocesan board of finance, I do not really care about the current budget. I have always been fairly disinterested in money, which rather bores me. I desire healthy giving only because it is the sure sign of true and living faith. The day everyone is giving sacrifically -is the day that we are coming alive to God as a united and committed family!
So as Lent begins let us each ask three questions whilst at prayer:
1) What does my level of giving say about my faith? Does it reveal a generous, thankful heart or a mean, resenting Spirit?
2) What place does giving to God have in my monthly outgoings? What does this say about the priority of faith in my life?
3) Do I find giving difficult or easy? How important is money to me? Is there a danger that I love wealth a little too much?
The discipline of alms giving is always a challenge. But remember- Jesus told us that giving will set us free! Grow closer to God- stop relying on financial security to provide for your needs and place your trust in him.
Dear Fr. Ed,
You are so right to challenge our thinking about giving. I know that there are many who would love to give more and support their beloved church and feel guilty for not doing so. These are mainly the young with growing families, who in addition to the rising cost of fuel and lighting have to set aside money, if they commute, for the very high rail fares. As you probably are aware the cost of feeding growing children is by no means cheap and becomes even more costly when they progress to Secondary School and parents have to pay for costly uniforms ,sports kit, school trips etc. There are others who are on a fixed income or the basic pension. I know for a fact that they would like to give more and feel guilty for not being able to.
You have stated one of the cures many times, both in your blog and in the ‘Pew Sheet’ “Bring another person to church”.
I know it must be frustrating for you and those responsible for the upkeep of such a beautiful church, when Income falls short of Expenditure. I can assure you that there are a good number in the congregation that feel the same.