The Spirituality of Giving

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The Spirituality of Giving

• Bob Sheldon
• Synod of the Rocky Mountains

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The Heart of the Matter

• Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
  earth, where moth and rust consume and where
  thieves break in and steal but store up for
  yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
  moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not
  break in and steal. For where your treasure is,
  there your heart will be also.
• The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye
  is healthy, your whole body will be full of
  light but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole
  body will be full of darkness. If then the
  light in you is darkness, how great is the
  darkness!
• No one can serve two masters for a slave will
  either hate the one and love the other, or be
  devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot
  serve God and wealth.
• --Matthew 619-25 NRSV

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What do you think?

• Why do you think Jesus talked about money and
  possessions so often?
• What do you think Jesus is trying to tell us
  about faith and money?
• How would it change our ministry if we believed
  that God is vitally concerned with our use of
  time, talents and treasures?

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You are Gods Leaders

• God has called you to lead
• Gods people are looking to you
• Scared? You should be!
• Excited? You should be!
• The greatest need
• Feel unqualified?
• Were all in this together!

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The Real World of Money

• Greatest transfer of wealth in history
• 41 trillion-136 trillion!
• Charities get 16 trillion and 53 trillion
• Larger the estate, more is given to charity.
• Thats a lot of money!
• Who will get this money?
• Those who ask for it!

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Our Members are Asking

• How can I be a better steward
• with what God has given me?

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Usual Order of Events

• People want to support churchs mission
• Church is uneasy talking about money
• They give the money to someone else!

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A Ministry For People with Money

• People with money deserve special attention
• Everyone deserves special attention
• People with money need special attentionresources
  mean choices
• Where else will they learn?

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Begin with Stewardship

• Society will be happy to fill the vacuum!
• Jesus talks a lot about moneyand the kingdom of
  God
• Year-round stewardship is mandate
• Word used 17 times in NRSV
• Usually means manager
• Denotes both a relationship and a role

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Begin with Stewardship

• What did you do to be born?
• Its all a gift
• Giving to God some of what God has given
• Reminderopportunity for gratitude
• Remainderwhat to do with the rest?
• To whom much is given, much is expected.
• Lead by exampleare you a good steward of what
  God has given to you?

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John Calvin said

• We are not our own let not our reason nor our
  will therefore sway our plans and deeds. We are
  not our own let us therefore not set it as our
  goal to seek what is expedient for us according
  to the flesh. We are not our own in so far as
  we can, let us therefore forget ourselves and all
  that is ours.
• Conversely, we are Gods let us therefore live
  for God and die for God. We are Gods let
  Gods wisdom and will therefore rule all our
  actions. We are Gods let all the parts of our
  life accordingly strive toward God as our only
  lawful goal Rom. 148 cf. 1 Cor. 619

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Mission Interpretation

• We have to have something to support
• How Gods assets are being used
• Mission
• Values
• Stories

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Why do people give?

• People do not give to the church because it HAS
  needs
• People give to the church because it MEETS needs!

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Financial DevelopmentFertilizer and Fruit of
the Spirit

• Giving is spiritual experiencegenerosity
• Empower Individuals
• Emphasize Values
• Encourage Involvement
• Lead by personal example
• Bible talks about money

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Not Funding Raising!

• Ministry
• Donor-oriented
• Friendly
• No pressure
• Money becomes a toolnot an idol

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Earned Income and Accumulated Assets

• Traditional stewardship
• People prefer to give from assets
• Aging
• Retirement
• Expanding economy
• More wealth
• Address at every opportunity

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Four Types of Gifts

• Annual Gifts
• Campaign Gifts
• Special Gifts
• Deferred Gifts

Dont milk a one-legged cow!
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Simple Steps

• Identify people
• Nurture relationship
• Understand values
• Research projects/programs
• Invite support
• Continue nurturing

It aint brain surgery!
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Team Effort

• Pray
• Identify mission
• Talk with like-hearted people
• Support ministries
• Invite others
• Watch God work
• Prayagain and again and.