By Craig Carlisle
I think this is a legitimate question to ask when approaching the subject of stewardship. I, perhaps like many other pastors, have tended to cringe when it is time for the sermon on stewardship. But I have learned in nearly 30 years of being a pastor that the dread is unfounded. I have discovered that our people expect it and they will even remind me when I haven’t preached on the subject in quite a while. Needless to say, I have been pleasantly surprised.
Some may look at this title and want to manipulate it to say something like, “Should a pastor think about his people’s giving?” Or “Dare a pastor think about his people’s giving?” I would like to go ahead and state the obvious at the outset, pastors do think about their people’s giving. You can usually tell what a pastor is thinking by the sermon he preaches when the time comes.
Reluctant to give
Some pastors try to guilt their members in to giving more which indicates he is thinking his people are reluctant to give.
Some will prominently publish giving numbers in church publications which indicates the pastor is thinking that if his people see how the giving is going they will be motivated to give more.
Others will use fundraising activities with the mindset being that people will only give if they have an opportunity to win even more in return.
Let me ask the question again, “How should a pastor think about his people’s giving?”
I believe we can find the answers toward the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
1. A pastor should be glad for His people’s giving.
Currently I am privileged to serve a most generous church. The Philippian church was that kind of church to Paul. The first time Paul visited Philippi, he brought the gospel to them. After Paul’s time there was complete, the church continued to regularly support him with their offerings (2 Cor. 8).
For some reason the support subsided, “But I rejoiced greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity” (Phil. 4:10). Perhaps it was Paul’s changing venues, the distance or recent poverty in Philippi. Whatever the circumstances, Paul never doubted the Philippians really did care. I love the word Paul uses here: “revived.” It’s a rarely used word that means “blossom again.” When the gift-bearing Epaphroditus appeared in Paul’s cell, it was like spring flowers suddenly bursting into bloom for the apostle.
Every Tuesday, I receive a summary of our giving from the previous Sunday from our financial secretary. It includes budget gifts, capital gifts, designated gifts and any gift that has been given to our church.
Some weeks there is great rejoicing and other weeks not so much. But, as a pastor, what I have learned to do is to be truly grateful for every gift our folks give. I have learned not to look at whether the giving is up or down, but to look at it with the attitude of gratitude.
Obedient to the Lord
I have confidence that our people love the Lord, they are being obedient to the Lord, they appreciate what we are doing through our ministries and I am truly grateful for their financial support. Isn’t that how a pastor should think about his people’s giving?
2. A pastor should be glad for his people’s giving because it tells him they view themselves as partners in the ministry.
Paul writes, “Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction” (Phil. 4:14). Paul is so encouraged by the fact that the Philippians participate with him. The Greek word used in this verse for “share” has a very deep meaning. It means “a deep partnership of two going in the same direction.”
The word “affliction” can mean “hardships of any kind,” but here it seems to indicate the challenges Paul is facing in spreading the gospel. This verse contains a hint of the significance of Christian giving. It also seems to hint at Paul’s hesitancy in telling them of his own needs.
The beauty of this passage is that we see the Philippians recognizing Paul’s strategic role in the spread of the gospel. The gifts meant that the Church eagerly participated in the work of God and in a very real sense were gifts toward the spread of the gospel to other Gentiles.
Strategic to spread the gospel
Pastors, is that not what our churches say when they give toward the ministries of our churches? Are they not saying we want to further the gospel in our community and the world? Do our churches realize that they are strategic in the spread of the gospel? Are we not encouraged when we see this kind of testimony from our people? Should we not be grateful for the endorsement of our people when they demonstrate godly stewardship so that the gospel can spread? Isn’t this how a pastor should think about his people’s giving?
3. A pastor should be glad for his people’s giving because it is evidence of spiritual growth in their lives.
When as a pastor I see my people giving, I know that it is evidence that they are growing spiritually. When I see our people giving my thought is, “How godly they are becoming.” Paul says, “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account” (Phil. 4:17).
Paul commends the Philippians because their gifts were an investment. The gifts were an investment in the work of God and in their future.
Paul here was not thinking of the financial blessing. In this verse his servant attitude emerges as he thinks of their growth and blessings.
Pastors, let’s show gratitude and have the proper attitude when it comes to the giving of our people. Isn’t that how a pastor should think about his people’s giving?
Craig Carlisle, pastor of Twelfth Street Baptist Church, Gadsden, earned degrees from Samford University in Birmingham; Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas; and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He and his wife, Tammy, have one daughter.
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