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| Written by Pat McLauglin |
Tipping God
This nice dinner (no alcohol-I know what you were thinking), got me thinking about my own giving and that of many believers in America, Canada, and Great Britain. Last year Americans (and our research also indicates a similar pattern for the other two nations) were tippers when it came to giving, especially to the church. America is a very generous nation, in fact, the most generous on the face of the earth. Frankly, no one is even close, $250+ billion dollars was given philanthropically last year! However, when it came to giving to the church, here are the cold hard facts . . . or ah perhaps the cold hard cash. Giving Patterns:
Question-If the initial benchmark of giving is 10% (the Biblical tithe), then what's up with this issue of giving or I mean "Tipping God?" By now you must know where I am going with this thought. Why is it we are willing to share more with a good server at a restaurant than we are with the creator and sustainer of the universe and His plan for redemption, the local church? I have a couple of perspectives and even some recommendations (or perhaps tips), so here we go. WHAT'S UP:1996 was the first year in America that para-church giving outdistanced giving to the church. Good for all of those organizations needing dollars, but bad news for the church. The most respected institution on the face of the earth just dropped out of the number one national stewardship rankings. Unlike many who are ranked number one in their respective pursuits, the church stayed there a whole lot longer than most, something like just under 2,000 years. In the minds, hearts and checkbooks of many Americans the church has become a fee for service rendered. Nothing more and nothing less. If I like my church, the people, my pastor, the programs, including the music and our youth ministries, I give, perhaps I even tithe. If not, they tip the church and I mean on the scale of the McLaughlin crew 5% or less kind of a tip. Many people hop from church to church so they never really get tied into joining or serving and always remain a visitor of sorts and often a non donor. Last year nearly 40% of the giving records of people attending church on a somewhat regular basis were zero. They plunked in a few bucks as the plate came by, but do not want to use the envelope system for fear of being singled out. They have figured out it's easy to tip God and get by with it. Is It Biblical to Challenge People to Generous Stewardship?The scripture is full of clear examples of stewardship narratives throughout the old and new testament. For a book that talks a whole lot about money and materialism, it's too bad that church rarely mentions it. Wasn't Adam and Eve's first job description in the garden one of stewardship, one of management? A steward is merely one who manages the property and affairs of another. Their task was to manage and oversee the garden and all of creation. Moses asked the Children of Israel to help build a "mobile worship center" in Exodus 25. Nehemiah asked a Gentile king to help rebuild the temple. David and Solomon gave their own money first, then encouraged the nation of Israel to give as well in II Chronicles 28-30. One third of Jesus' teaching was centered on how we invest our time, talent, and treasure in building and supporting His Kingdom and the Apostle Paul challenged the Church at Corinth and many others to give generously. It's there in the Scripture, waiting to be taught from the pulpit, but we are afraid to offend people by challenging them to become generous stewards. So until we adopt a different, more biblical pattern we must be content with the Tip. What's a church and ministry to do? Study carefully the life and ministry of Paul. He went through three distinct phases of ministry. First, he let no one know his needs but God, clearly stated in Philippians 4:12. Second, he worked very hard in his ministry of establishing and encouraging the early church, especially in Ephesus, he supplied his own needs Acts 20:34. A third phase was when Paul very clearly shared a need, prayed, preached, and asked the church in Corinth to give to the persecuted church in Jerusalem. He shared and he asked, straight forward, no "Heavenly Hinting," he just flat out made an ask and a follow-up note, defined in 2 Corinthians 9:1-5. I would guess almost every church and ministry has been through the first two phases and now it's your time to implement the final phase-the ASK phase. Don't even provide an opportunity for people to tip God or your organization, help them to make a true stewardship decision. So here are a few brief steps to help you on your stewardship journey:
Why would we not show our love, commitment, and devotion to God because of His great gift of life and free gift of salvation It seems we owe everything, not just a measly tip. Help those you come in contact with, whether church or para church to begin to consider the truths of God's Word regarding stewardship. The wise investment of time, talent, and treasure is the triple crown of growth and maturity for every Christian. With over 2,300 verses in the Bible on Stewardship, there is more than enough material to preach and teach. God is honored when we clearly present our needs and invite people to give. Please don't allow anyone tip you or God. |
My bride of almost 30 years had that big birthday a few weeks ago and turned 50. To celebrate our family, a couple of close friends and girl friends celebrated with a very lovely dinner at a very nice restaurant. Hey, it was great and the meal for ten of us with tip was around $400.00. I know that cause I picked up the tab. The server was excellent; she and her crew were on time and on task. The meal presentation was great, food was prepared well, it was a great evening. The customary tip for the McLaughlin crew is 5% for poor service, 10% for good service, 15% for great service and 20% for exceptional service. The service that evening was exceptional, hence a tip of $65.00.