But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving. - 2 Corinthians 8:7, NIV
There is grace in giving. There is freedom in releasing "stuff" from our hands as we seek to do the work God has called us to accomplish. There is grace.
Schnase says, "Churches that cultivate giving speak of joy, devotion, honoring God, and the steady growth of spirit that leads to greater generosity....Pledge campaigns [in those churches] are not about money, dollars, and budgets but about mission, spiritual growth, and relationship to God" (22-23).
I want University UMC to be a church like that. A church that spends more time and energy devoted to how we can be the hands and feet of Christ and less time worried about paying the bills. (I am pretty sure I just made the Finance people mad!) I want our church to be a church of action - putting legs on our faith so that the message of Christ is not just heard at UUMC, but shown and seen.
Questions for Reflection:
1) How do you feel about how your congregation teaches about money?
2) What conversations that relate faith and money are most helpful to you?
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