Nothing in recent years has demonstrated the fellowship of Alabama Baptists as clearly as their response to the April 27 tornadoes. And that response resembles the response of first-century Christians to the apostle Paul’s urging as he attempted to gather an offering for the starving believers in Jerusalem.
Paul emphasized the fellowship that existed between believers in Jerusalem and believers spread throughout what we today call the Middle East. Alabama Baptists recognize that fellow believers suffered immense loss as their homes and churches were damaged and destroyed by tornadoes. And even though many of these Alabama Baptists have never met each other, the bond of being Alabama Baptists causes a generous response.
As of this writing, Alabama Baptists have given $1,921,396.46 to Alabama tornado relief through the Alabama Baptist State Convention, according to figures released by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. More has been given to relief efforts sponsored by churches and associations, which is not included in the $1.9 million. And the figure does not count relief efforts done by individuals in the immediate aftermath of the storms. Only God knows how much Alabama Baptists have given to date, and much more will be needed.
The response of Alabama Baptists is not the result of a high-pressure campaign. It is voluntary. Giving in the New Testament is never done grudgingly or as a result of manipulation or guilt. New Testament giving is done because one recognizes the sovereignty of God over all that he or she has. God is the owner. We are the stewards.
The tornadoes have provided opportunity for Alabama Baptists to use what they have for the benefit of others. To do less turns possessions into selfish greed, which the Bible always condemns.
Alabama Baptist giving has been generous. Like the Macedonians, whom Paul commended, Alabama Baptists have given liberally. Despite high unemployment and an eroding economic base that began as one of the nation’s lowest, Alabama Baptists have made it possible for mobile chapels to be made available to 13 Alabama Baptist churches damaged by the tornadoes. That project is estimated to claim about 40 percent of what has been given. State convention officials also are working with directors of missions in various parts of the state to respond to local needs. The promise is that every dollar given to the tornado relief fund will be used for that purpose.
In 1 Corinthians 8:4, Paul referred to the offering he was raising as “a ministry to the saints.” That is exactly what the Alabama tornado relief fund is. It is a ministry to the “saints” in damaged and destroyed churches across the state.
That Alabama Baptists have an avenue of ministry and cooperation to coordinate this statewide effort is a blessing of God and an unexpected demonstration of the important role state conventions and associations play. It shows again that Baptists can do more working together than any one can do alone.
Amid the thankfulness for all that Alabama Baptists have done in responding to the tornadoes, there is one nagging concern. Regular giving to missions causes through the Cooperative Program (CP) dropped almost 18 percent in May compared to the amount received in April. May CP receipts were $2,805,322. In April, the total was $3,417,233, which was the lowest amount given this calendar year.
Obviously with the devastation that hit Alabama the last week of April, a drop in giving was anticipated. It also may be that some Alabama Baptists determined to channel their regular tithes and offerings to disaster relief rather than supporting the ongoing missions work through the CP.
Such a decision may reflect a lack of understanding of the difference between a tithe and an offering.
In a Baptist church in London where my family worshiped recently, the pastor invited all the church members to bring their tithes and present them to God on the altar. He pointed out that it was the members’ responsibility to give their tithes (which he described as 10 percent of their earnings) through the church.
Only after the tithes had been presented were those of us visiting the church offered the opportunity to present offerings to God. Offerings were described as above the tithe.
The experience reminded me of a Baptist worship service in one of South Africa’s homelands some years earlier in which the congregation first brought its tithes and later gave its offerings.
Baptists in many parts of the world regularly make this distinction between tithes and offerings. Baptists in the United States seldom make this distinction even though it is biblically based.
Malachi 3:10 commands tithes be brought to the “storehouse.” Today the church serves that role. According to the Bible, tithes are to be given through the church to support its work at home and around the world.
Offerings are above and beyond the tithe. Offerings are a spontaneous expression of love. They evidence the genuineness of faith as one gives out of concern for others. Offerings never replace faith. They simply demonstrate faith.
Offerings are not about mathematical calculations. They are about reflecting the mind of Christ in one’s use of what he or she has.
It may be good for Alabama Baptists to remember the difference between tithes and offerings in the days ahead.
Generous, voluntary giving for Baptist disaster relief efforts will continue to be needed. And so will faithful giving of tithes through the regular channels of churches and the CP. Through both, Alabama Baptists will continue ministering to the saints during this unusual time.
Share with others: