Daily Devotional and the Annual Pledge Campaign

I know that soon it will be the time for us to renew our pledges to the church.  As you know the UCC Daily Devotional comes into my e-mail inbox.  I thought I would share today's devotional with you about the subject of giving to the church.


November 7, 2010

An Offering You Can’t Refuse

Excerpt from Luke 21:1-3

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he
also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.  He said, “Truly, I
tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them
have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in
all she had to live on.”

Reflection by
Martin B. Copenhaver

I have a recurring dream, particularly this time of year.  Someone
calls me on the phone and invites me to lunch.  Over lunch that person
says, “Martin, I am aware that the church is pressed for funds, particularly in
this financial climate, and the church has to spend so much energy to raise
those funds.  Well, I came into some money this year, so I want to cover
this year’s entire church budget with my own gift.”

First I try to catch my breath.  Then I offer to pay for lunch.
But the person goes on:  “I ask only one thing,”

I say, “Sure.  Whatever.  Would you like some champagne?”

“No, thank you,” he says.  “All I ask is that you not accept any other
contributions or offerings for the rest of the year.  I want to do it
all.  My gift to the congregation.”

Then I take another deep breath and say, “I’m sorry, but I cannot accept
your gift.  I can’t do that to the people.  It’s not just a matter of
being able to pay the bills.  We need to be able to respond to all that
God is doing in our midst and to share in that work.  We can’t be deprived
of the opportunity to give of ourselves.  To hear the promises of God and
to receive the gifts of God, and to be unable to respond?  Why, that’s a
burden.  We just can’t do that to the people.”

A contribution and an offering are different:  We make a contribution
because the church needs money.  We make an offering because we need to
give.  Only some are able to give a large contribution.  Anyone is
able to make a great offering.

Prayer

Giver of every good and perfect gift, accept this gift of mine, that I might
share in your work and that your work might prosper. 

The Rev will be speaking about this soon.

Jeannette Brown