Overflow Ministry

"The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. … He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God." -- 2 Corinthians 9.6-12

My goal is to support stewardship awareness on a more personal level this year as the Finance Committee, the Church Session and the Congregation thinks through, prays through and plans financially toward 2008. Instead of doing full-blown messages on financial stewardship, I thought I would write a series of short flyers written from a personal point of view. Two weeks ago: "Why I Tithe." Last week: "Why I Pledge." And then for today, Stewardship Sunday: "Overflow Ministry."

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What would happen if today’s believers tithed on their income blessing and pledged financial partnership to their church? I believe that the ministry capabilities of the local congregation would explode with energy to witness to Christ and to bless others in an unprecedented and compassionate way. We would be leaving our budget in the dust and serving in an "overflow" dimension to the glory of God who desires to bless His people – and through them, bless the world.


Poverty Minded or Prosperity Minded?

Up to a year ago I would not have written these flyers in the way that I have, and I certainly would not have written this third one on prosperity. My religious upbringing and training had me set on the conviction that God was against abundance and much happier with poverty … that God was happier with us poor, and that God wanted the church to be poor and struggling and kept "humble."

Many have been similarly taught, and, as a result, churches struggle to get by … I mean struggle to get by with just the basics of maintaining a building and providing the minimal pastoral services for a congregation. (One can certainly make a good case for the North American Church being too materially encumbered. One can make an equally valid case for a church or faith community to have a home base for ministry work and witness … the ‘synagogue’ idea)

Finance committees all over are going to their members trying not so sound as though they are begging, but hoping against hope that the church can operate without significant loss for "just one more year." As a result, ministry dreams never see the light of day and the church’s witness is severely truncated.

Is this the best or only vision for the church when it comes to finances and resources? I hope not. I am willing to give God-provided, God-blessed abundance a try.

Proverbs 10.22: "The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it."

We serve a God who longs to bless and to bless us with abundance. If you have taken a look at the 2 Corinthian passage on the other side of this flyer, you get a glimpse of a very generous God, not a stingy God. Jesus came, He told us, that we "may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10.10b).

The same Jesus who said "consider the lilies of the field, how they grow …" in Matthew 6 also said in Luke 6.38, "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you give will be the measure you get back." … This is the language of God-provided overflow.


Giving to the Church Budget?

Most churches have some guideline for spending the resources entrusted to them. This is basic, good and faithful financial stewardship. The finance committees that meet late into the night trying to make things work for the good of the congregation are made up of sincere, hardworking people who give of their time to do right by their church. Most church budgets are the best prayerful and educated guesses of how resources can and should be used to do the ministry work of the church. And by the same token, many, if not most church boards, are unsure if enough will come in, and what adjustments downward may be needed on a gamble to survive.

Is there an alternative?

I think there is and I want to propose one to you.


Giving to God According to Blessing

When I give, I do not give to the church budget. My giving is not at all determined by the church budget. If I were in a church of 65 members or 650 members, my giving would be exactly the same. Why? Because I have been taught through the Scriptures to give according in proportion to how God has blessed me. As I mentioned in the flyer "Why I Tithe," ten percent of one’s blessing is exclusively God’s.

On the personal and prayerful level in my life - half of my tithe goes directly to the church. Others will work this out differently.

Depending on the research consulted, Presbyterians on the national average contribute between 2.1% to 2.3% of their income blessing to the local church.


Participating More Fully in the Work of God

Giving in proportion to how God has blessed us, with the priority on the work of the local congregation, will result in ministry that goes well beyond current budgets and enters the realm of vision … blessing … compassion … generous service … mission … greater lay training and competence in practical ministries that will touch peoples lives in redemptive ways.

I’m tired of the beggarly way of doing church finances. May be others are too. Our God is a blessing-giving God! Philippians 4:19-20: "My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God be glory for ever and ever! Amen!"

For Bulletin Flyer ... October 14, 2007