Deuteronomy 14:22-27 gives the Israelites instructions
regarding the giving of the tithe (the 10% offering of their income). In giving this instruction God realises that
it might be difficult for them to transport their tithe, which would have
consisted of grain, oil and livestock, from their home to the Temple because
they had be blessed with a large crop.
So God gives an alternative to transporting the physical tithe. He instructs that they may convert their crop
into money.
As I was praying and reflecting about stewardship this
passage stuck out for me. We would never
think of bringing our livestock or crops to church and offering that as an
offering. (By the way, if you do think
this, please don’t act on it, I don’t want to look after any animals). We have moved beyond that type of
agricultural society. Money is now the
primary means by which we engage in financial transactions. I also thought that for many of us the use of
cash is becoming less common. The rise
of EFTPOS, internet banking and apps on our smartphones means that we use cash
less in our daily lives.
The instruction in Deuteronomy is a recognition that
practical necessities impact on our worship of God. For a number of years the church has been
able to offer the use of direct debit facilities for our tithes and
offerings. This is a reflection that our
society is becoming less cash based and that often it can be an inconvenience
to have cash available on Sunday. Direct
debit also acknowledges that for some in our congregation a tithe of their
income is a substantial amount of money.
Incomes have risen the principle of proportionate giving means that our
actual offering has also risen. We don’t
normally make large financial transactions in cash.
Direct debits are also convenient for the volunteers in our
church who handle money. After each
service a dwindling number of people count the cash offering. Early in the week another volunteer counts the
total offering and banks it. There is an
expense of time in this and a security risk in storing and transporting this
money. Direct debits are done
electronically and reduce the weekly workload of our volunteers.
Already about 50% of our congregation give through direct
debit. This year as you think about your
stewardship pledge, please consider the use of direct debit. Wendy and I have used this for years and find
it a practical response to God’s goodness in our lives. In the stewardship letter you received is a
direct debit request form. The front
page explains more about how it works.
In addition please speak to Barry Jardine (3353 4551) for more
information.
Some people maintain the practice of placing cash in the
offering bag because they believe in the spiritual practice of making their
offering during worship. Whatever we
offer to God, whether it be time, talent or treasure is holy only because of
our relationship with God and our willingness to acknowledge his lordship over
our lives and to respond to his grace.
When our heart is in the right place with God our offerings are a
spiritual act of worship whether they take place physically in a worship
service or electronically across the internet.
Grace and peace
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