I get just a little edgy when anyone talks about a large donation to the Church -- particularly when a name is revealed, or if someone should say: "If it hadn't been for that donation ..." Firstly, if the name of a donor is revealed, even in the relative privacy of a meeting, in my experience the donor may be targeted by mendicants, even by opponents of the Church -- not to speak of the principle that giving should (usually) be done in private (Matt 6:3). With regard to the size of a donation, there are a number of issues. Firstly, a Church is neither rescued nor upheld by windfalls. It is upheld by Jehovah Jireh, who is the Giver behind the giver -- and it is upheld by faithful, God-fearing tithing. That is what the Church wishes both to depend on and to portray. And then, I know as a minister that some people give small amounts which may be all that they have, and this is touching. Then I feel so bad if anyone highlights a large amount in itself -- although the Church is really grateful for large amounts, and they lighten its load. Jesus reminds us that a generous giver may not please God, and likewise a paltry giver may please Him much (Mark 12:41-44). OBSERVATION: These things might seem obvious, but all too often they are not.
No comments:
Post a Comment