giving
Can inclusive churches grow and thrive?
When my spouse’s church became more affirming, the major givers left.
Beyond the wilderness (Deuteronomy 26:1-11)
Deuteronomy offers instructions for what to do after not 40 days but 40 years of wandering.
When our church started receiving offerings through Venmo
The new givers are great. Their comments about why they give are even better.
by Katie Hays
Designer mittens: Mine for the giving
I gave the woman a Dunkin Donuts gift card and told her to get something hot. She didn't thank me. She said, "Those mittens look warm."
by Debra Bendis
Speaking of money
My files are full of stewardship sermons. So it came as a shock when people would say, “We know you don’t like to talk about money.”
It is about the money: Against docetic offertory prayers
Docetic offertory prayers imply that the money inside the envelopes in the offering plates is unimportant, even embarrassing.
by Dean Snyder
Ways of giving: How churches think about money
Most fund-raising board meeting discussions, when stripped to the core, become one common, persistent question: "How can we persuade people to give more?"
Fullness of life: Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31
People who are satisfied and content do not seek Jesus—only those who know there is something missing from their lives.
Pressed into service: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Why does Paul resort to both shame and pride to raise money for the Jerusalem church?
Widow's walk: Mark 12:38-44
The widow tossed the only shred of independence she had into the offering plate, but she kept intact her complete dependence on God and neighbor. She is our spiritual mentor standing there on the margins of all we hold dear. Her way is a life of faith grounded in the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit. It’s a life lived in the conviction that we are stewards of all we have in our hands and our lives, not the owners of these things.