a periodical from the desk of  Pastor White...

   Working together                                                                    in Christ to make a difference...

Financial Priorities...

A jet crashed onto a desolate Pacific island. Both occupants survived, but the pilot expressed his fear that they would never be rescued because they were hundreds of miles off course. His passenger, a faithful churchman, assured him, "Don't worry, I'm absolutely certain we will be found. I pay a large tithe and I know my pastor and the church's finance committee will find me!" We may smile at this far-fetched tale, but in many churches this scenario would not be far off the mark.

Currently, only about 2-3 percent of all church laity in the majority of Protestant denominations return a faithful tithe. In our own denomination, 35 percent of members return a faithful tithe and 15 percent return a consistent monthly offering.

Our Heavenly Father knows that someone who gives reluctantly is still thinking like an owner and not a steward. Your income may come from an earthly employer, but ultimately it really comes from our Heavenly Owner, who gives life and breath and the ability to work and receive a paycheck. We are always only stewards. The Christian steward does not wait until the deacon passes the offering plate in church to decide how much tithe or offering to give. That decision was made in the past, based on understanding of what God says in Scripture, and that plan is then, by faith, implemented

on an ongoing basis.

The following key principles will help you develop a solid giving strategy. In his book, Fields of Gold. Andy Stanley writes, "Just as a good educational plan builds on the 'three R's,' a good plan for giving builds on the 'three P's'; Priority giving, Percentage giving and Progressive giving. I believe it would be well for us to consider these "three P' s."

à Priority Giving

         Of all the items in your monthly  budget, returning to God his tenth and sharing your financial blessings needs to be a top priority. Before rent, utilities, phone or even groceries, the first check written each payday should be made out to your local church tithe and freewill offering.

à Percentage Giving

             Whatever your income, all God asks is a tithe, or 10 percent. Can you imagine hiring a money manager and then telling him to give you back only 10 percent of your money and keep the rest for his own needs? We would be thought foolish  to do such a thing, but our God not only does that with us, but also adds the bonus of social, spiritual, and financial blessings to it.

à Progressive Giving

             Too many are still putting that same old $1 bill in the offering plate that they gave twenty years ago. As your monetary blessing increases over the years so should your giving. Some, like J.C. Penney and Colgate, found that by the end of their lives they were keeping only 10 percent of their income and giving 90 percent to missions and church institutions that God had placed on their heart to support. You can’t out-give God.