I sat down to do some research on  how much American church goers give to support their churches when I ran across this article that really made me think.

Summit Church to Close After 131 Years

By ROWENA PLETT

“Oct. 10 will be a sad day for the remaining parishioners who have faithfully attended Summit United Methodist Church of rural Florence all of their lives. The final worship service will be conducted at 10 a.m. by the Rev. David Ragland of Peabody.  Located in Summit Township, the Summit church began as a United Brethren Church. It subsequently became part of the United Brethren Evangelical Church and then the United Methodist Church.

Early records have been lost, and the congregation’s numbers have dwindled considerably as families moved away and the children of those who stayed did likewise. A look at the register on the wall reveals an attendance of nine people this past Sunday and an average of 14 during the past year. Loyal members dug deep into their pockets to keep the church going, but it finally became too much. “We can’t afford to pay the bills anymore,” LaVonne Ammeter said.

Ragland has been ministering to the church congregation for more than four years. He is planning to give a sermon titled, “One Last Time,” based on Jesus’ last meeting with his disciples. He will talk about the church’s closing but will emphasize that the church of Christ continues to march on. “This church has fulfilled the purpose God called it to,” he will tell parishioners.”

Will something like that be written about your church or mine a few years from now?  The truth is that many small churches have been struggling for more than a few years and are losing rather than gaining ground. I think we can all agree that God deserves our first fruits, but if we are anything like the “average church goers” in the US, most of us fall short of the biblical tithe by 6% to 7%. What would we actually have to give up, to give 1%, 2%, or 3% more? Considering all that God has given us, would it really be that tough for us to find say $15 a week more for Him?

I know some of you can’t do that, and that is OK, I don’t want to make anyone feel singled out that is already struggling to get by, but I also know some of you could pretty easily come up with another $15, $20, $25 a week or more.  In fact, I figured out that by making lunches to take to work instead of buying frozen dinners to microwave, I am able to save $15 a week, and at the same time eat healthier and better tasting food. That means $15 a week that was doing little more than making me fatter can go to God’s work.

If we all did a few little things like eat out less often, read a book instead of going out to a movie, skip the $3.50 Starbucks latte, buy the store brand instead of the name brand product… we could easily give a few dollars more and get our church finances back on track, and our vision for the future of of our ministries with it. Vibrant, financially healthy churches grow while those cutting programs and staff to pay the bills, not so much.

If we do not change, if we do not act on what the Lord has taught us about living in simplicity so that we can be more extravagant in our generosity, the article about the final days of our churches will likely end much like that of Summit United Methodist Church.

“The church will probably stand empty and unused in the immediate future, but no doubt, it will continue to bring back warm memories to those who graced its doors.”

Is that a legacy we are willing to accept?  If not then we need to step up to the plate and GIVE!

In the Old Testament accounts of the relationship between God and the children of Israel we find that God’s wrath is unleashed when His children test Him.

Psalm 78:18 -22(NKJV)
“And they tested God in their heart By asking for the food of their fancy. Yes, they spoke against God: They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Behold, He struck the rock, So that the waters gushed out, And the streams overflowed. Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?” Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious; So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel, Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation.”

Only one verse have I found where God invites us to test Him,

Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

 

My prayer is that we are becoming a church that WILL test God in this. That we will bring all of the tithes into the storehouse, that we will not only meet all of our commitments and obligations, but that we will be worthy and generous representatives of the Kingdom of heaven in our community, that we will change lives as we fulfill the great commission and that God will pour out on us such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it!

Give generously, it matters.

Blessings & Adventure,

Lynn “lynnibug” Rios

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