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by Andy Gustafson, Assoc. Conference
Minister for Stewardship & Financial
Development
June/July 2006
After she passed away, I was given my Aunt Eleanor’s bible. In it was a card with two words: “live faith.” How do we live our faith through our giving? In “The Heart of Christianity” Marcus Borg describes four aspects of faith: belief, trust, faithfulness and vision. Let us look at how these might apply to our giving.
What do we believe to be true? Do we believe that all we have comes from God? Do we believe we are accountable to God for our use of all that God has given us? Are we stewards? The parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) speaks to this. Our giving to God’s purposes by supporting the church is part of our total stewardship of all of that in which we are entrusted.
The second aspect is where do we place our trust – in money or God? In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21) Jesus makes clear where our trust should be. Giving becomes a spiritual discipline, like regular prayer, reading the Bible, worship and the sacraments, that moves us into closer relationship with God.
The third aspect is faithfulness. What does faithful discipleship require of us? Paul sums up Christian discipleship when he advises the rich “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous and ready to share… so that they may take hold of life that is really life.” (1 Tim. 6:18-19). Our giving is an act of discipleship, a way of following Christ.
The fourth aspect is vision. What is our vision of the kingdom of heaven and our role in spreading God’s reign? Through our giving we participate with God in the building of God’s kingdom on earth. In this way we follow the example of Mary of Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna who financially supported the work of Jesus and his disciples (Luke 8:1-3). We give to support Christ’s mission in the world.
Whether our giving flows from our understanding of ourselves as stewards, as a spiritual discipline, as discipleship or from a commitment to Christ’s mission, it is
ultimately how we live our faith.