Generosity to Joy

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.                2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Friends and Members of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church:

Have you ever desired to grow in your giving but, for whatever reasons, find yourself doing what you have always done?  Have you found plenty of “good reasons” why now is not a good time to challenge yourself?  You are not alone. 

•          5% of churchgoers in the United States tithe
•          The average weekly giving amount per churchgoer is $17 per week
•          If every Christian tithed 10%, faith organizations would have an extra $139 billion each year
       (for more interesting statistical data, visit www.vancopayments.com)

Judging from the scripture passage above, the need to help believers grow in their giving has always been a part of Church.  The Apostle Paul’s urgency in challenging us to grow in this area of our lives is because he believes that we are robbing ourselves of great joy when we don’t sew (give) abundantly; and, we rob the Gospel of resources it needs to produce an abundant harvest (and the joy that comes from watching how the Gospel changes lives). 

Beginning January 22, 2023, Holy Spirit Lutheran Church will host a stewardship sermon series helping us grow in our joy and in our giving.  We will examine the expectation and roots of tithing in our Christian faith.  This is part of our annual pledge emphasis—a time when you make a commitment (pledge) as to how you plan to support and provide resources for our mission in 2023.  This year’s emphasis is titled “Generosity to Joy.”  You can submit your pledge below.