Special Financial update

For those who prefer to read…

In January we received about $8,400 in offerings, offset by $12,000 in expenses, leaving a $3,600 shortage.  In February we had offerings of $10,000 with $11,000 in expenses, resulting in a $1,000 shortage.  We are nearing the end of the surplus money we have in savings, meaning that we can't continue this trend without having to take drastic steps that will impact all the ministries of our church.  This has become a very serious situation.  In light of this distressing news, let me offer a few thoughts on this situation we find ourselves in.

First, I want to say "thank you" to the many who have been faithful financial givers over the years.  I don't know who you are because I don't look at giving records, but I know many (perhaps most) of you are faithfully giving what the Lord has laid on your heart.  Some of you, like the widow in Luke 21, don't have it to give, yet you give it anyway.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Second, if you consider the Vineyard to be your church home but you have not been a regular giver, would you please consider taking this step of discipleship and faith?  Part of being in a community of faith is helping shoulder the load of that community.  This is how we mutually love and support one another.  We see an example of this in Acts 2 & 4 when those in the community would voluntarily sell possessions to ensure that the needs of the community were met.  

I'm periodically asked if tithing (that means giving 10% of your income) is still something required of us in the New Testament.  Is it not part of the OT Law that is now fulfilled in Christ?  Here's how I tend to answer this now.  Is the Ten Commandments still valid?  It was part of the OT Law as well.  Does Christ's coming mean that it is now OK to murder and steal?  Of course not!  While we may no longer relate to God through this "old" covenant, the principles laid out in the old covenant still represent God's general will for how people will show love to him and to one another.  Christ's fulfillment of the Law means that he is the culmination of what it pointed to.  He himself said that he did not come to abolish it (Matt 5:17).  While certain ceremonial aspects of the law became obsolete after Jesus' death and resurrection (i.e. animal sacrifice), the basic principles behind the law still apply.  Whether or not you come down on the side of tithing, we must at least agree that God calls us to be generous and that all the reasons why God commanded people in the OT to tithe (provide for the ministers, take care of the Temple, care for the poor) are all reasons we still need to give today.

Another objection I've heard is that tithing is never explicitly commanded by Jesus or the Apostles in the NT.  This, however, is an argument from silence.  Jesus never specifically re-states the OT command to not have sex with animals.  I know, gross!  This doesn't mean it's now OK to marry our dog - no matter how much we love them!  His silence on this command does not rescind the command.  In fact, when Jesus specifically talks about OT commandments (i.e. the Sermon on the Mount), he doesn't contradict them, he broadens their meaning.  The command to not kill means that we must not even hate.  The command to not commit adultery means that we also must not lust.  While he doesn't specifically speak of tithing, he says that we must give to those who ask of us - again taking the commandment beyond legalistic adherence to true generosity.  I would also add that we must be sure that we are not using this argument of silence as a way to excuse greed.

Another comment I've often heard in relation to tithing is that "I give my time and talents".  This is commendable and something we should all do.  Yet, the Bible's word for this is not giving but serving.  We should all serve our local community of faith.  But giving or tithing in Scripture is always in the context of offering financial support.

A final question I've heard people struggle with is that what they are able to give doesn't seem very significant.  I recall the story of a young boy who offered his insignificant lunch to Jesus who was able to multiply it to feed 5,000+ people.  Don't despise what you have to offer - God can do big things with it.

Speaking positively about tithing, Jesus once had an altercation with the Pharisees regarding how they tithe.  They were so conscientious to tithe even from their spices, yet they were guilty of neglecting their parents (Matt. 23).  Jesus had the perfect opportunity to tell them that tithing was no longer necessary or important.  Rather, he affirmed their tithing, saying they should do this without neglecting justice and mercy. 

So, back to my second ask, would you trust that if you tithe (give 10%) the first part of your income to God that he will cause the 90% to go farther?  This has been my and Julie's experience along with countless others.  God rewards our giving - it's that simple.  This doesn't mean he curses our non-giving, only that he has promised to bless us over and above when we give.  His promise to bless our financial giving is contained in both the Old and New Testaments (Malachi 3:8-12; 2 Corinthians 9:10-12).

Finally, would you please make this a daily prayer concern?  At the town hall meeting I shared that one of our prayer goals for 2023 was for financial margin - specifically praying that we would see a 40% increase in our giving over last year.  This would not only allow us to maintain what we have, but to also fund more outreach projects and make needed repairs and upgrades for our facility.  We have several opportunities to reach our neighbors this year, along with some things we want to do this summer to reach kids, but as of now we do not have the funds.  Pray that God will bless and grow our church family.  Ask the Father to bring families who believe in what we're doing here and who can help carry the financial load.