Lent is not the season that we usually think, talk, or write about giving. Normally we discuss stewardship in the fall, ‘round about budget time. However, two things motivate me as I write this article. First, Lent is a time when our attention turns to Christ’s gift of salvation through his sacrificial death for our sakes. Second, concern has recently been expressed that St. Timothy has presented too many giving options to its members in recent years. In addition to current – “regular” – giving and specific congregational funding like Building, Memorial, or Organ funds, we have been presented with denominational appeals like ELCA World Hunger Appeal, ELCA Disaster Relief, United Lutheran Seminary, Lutheran Social Ministries, and Seafarers’ International House, as well as local concerns such as WIN, CASA, NJ Cares, and our own Heart ‘n’ Hands Mission. Second, Christian stewardship – the management of the resources God has given us – should be year-round and is particularly appropriate as we observe Lent and prepare to celebrate Easter.

We give because God has given so much to us. The wonderful stewardship hymn of my youth says it beautifully: “We give thee but thine own, whate’er the gift may be; all that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord from thee.” God has given us everything we have, and we are called upon to return a portion – the standard biblical recommendation is 10% — a tithe. One cannot doubt that giving is an important aspect of Christian living. The question that naturally arises, and what has been posed to me, is “to whom shall we give?”

First, St. Timothy’s “regular” giving – weekly envelope offering – is what most of us commit ourselves to in the annual stewardship campaign. The monies received pay local expense – utilities, maintenance, and other property expenses; ministry expenses, including staff salaries and taxes, Sunday School curriculum, worship expenses; as well as mission support – about 10% of our income goes to the NJ Jersey Synod and the ELCA to support the ministry of the wider church. Next, many of us support St. Timothy’s building fund, which is used to pay for unbudgeted property expenses. In addition, we donate our resources to a variety of other ministries – those numerated above, as well as others – which St. Timothy endorses and/or supports.

To be sure, the list can easily be overwhelming, especially when most of us have numerous other expenses facing us. Some may even feel guilty when they hear of opportunities for giving but feel overtaxed by living expenses and other charitable giving. The reality is, and this is very important, no one is expected, let alone required, to give to every appeal. We’re all sensitive to the limited incomes of most of our members. Gifts are meant to be proportional to one’s ability to give. A two-income couple with grown children is likely to give more than a single-income couple with several young children. Likewise, those who are working are often (but not always) able to give more than those who are retired.

While some have suggested that we offer fewer appeals, I was told years ago by a stewardship expert that limiting appeals, we’re actually denying our people opportunities to give. He explained that not every person will be inspired by every appeal. Some ministries will excite me, and others won’t. Another person will be touched by ministries that are not as appealing to me. As we taught our kids when they were little, different people like different things.

I suggest that our first priority ought to be regular giving; our gifts keep the congregation, as well as our synod and our denomination, in the business of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Beyond that, it’s up to you. What excites you? What truly speaks to you and touches your heart? Some will have the interest and the resources to give to every single appeal, but most of us don’t. I promise that the Outreach Committee will work hard to coordinate appeals; we’ll try not to bombard the congregation with numerous giving opportunities simultaneously. Yet, we think it imprudent to limit ourselves to just a couple of special appeals per year. God and the neighbor are served in a wide variety of ways.

In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Robert M. Mountenay