Proper Proportions
Recently I had my annual physical. My doctor looked at several numbers and percentages: These are good.
Watch those. Make sure you don’t eat too much of this. Make sure you eat at least this much of that.
I also picture the conversation I had with a successful business leader who explained to me that numbers may well be an indicator of my spiritual health, particularly those showing where I spend my money and the amount I give to the Church. A quick internet search yields plenty of charts showing proportions to guide healthy eating. We also find charts showing percentages for the household budget. The first one I looked at did not include a line for charitable giving. I wonder what spiritual health will result from that prescription.
The Bible speaks of a tithe, which is defined as 10%. In the Old Testament, the purpose of the tithe was to care for the poor and support the community’s spiritual life in the Tabernacle or Temple. The New Testament speaks of giving in proportion to one’s means and how this relates to a healthy heart.
In our household, we realize the basic issue is not what do I give to God? Rather: How do we use all that God is giving us? Are we sharing, saving, and spending in a way that leads to spiritual health? Though we do not always reach it, our goal is to give 10% of gross income.
During our fall Stewardship Appeal we encourage you to
I encourage you to consider all that contributes to a healthy spirit. ~Pastor Paul
This chart from the ELCA helps you figure your giving proportion.
Recently I had my annual physical. My doctor looked at several numbers and percentages: These are good.
Watch those. Make sure you don’t eat too much of this. Make sure you eat at least this much of that.
I also picture the conversation I had with a successful business leader who explained to me that numbers may well be an indicator of my spiritual health, particularly those showing where I spend my money and the amount I give to the Church. A quick internet search yields plenty of charts showing proportions to guide healthy eating. We also find charts showing percentages for the household budget. The first one I looked at did not include a line for charitable giving. I wonder what spiritual health will result from that prescription.
The Bible speaks of a tithe, which is defined as 10%. In the Old Testament, the purpose of the tithe was to care for the poor and support the community’s spiritual life in the Tabernacle or Temple. The New Testament speaks of giving in proportion to one’s means and how this relates to a healthy heart.
In our household, we realize the basic issue is not what do I give to God? Rather: How do we use all that God is giving us? Are we sharing, saving, and spending in a way that leads to spiritual health? Though we do not always reach it, our goal is to give 10% of gross income.
During our fall Stewardship Appeal we encourage you to
- consider your household’s financial plan;
- ask how God fits into your plans;
- consider how Saint Andrew’s ministries of connect with the values expressed in your financial plan.
I encourage you to consider all that contributes to a healthy spirit. ~Pastor Paul
This chart from the ELCA helps you figure your giving proportion.
