St. Pauls Almonte

Lovingly submitted by Ann Bird
Some years ago I was asked to write an article for this newsletter about why I give money to the church. I did so then in humility, with much reservation. The essence of that article I share with you now.

The Blessing of Giving
I'm sure that most of you consider how much you give to St. Paul's to be a private matter before you and God, and, of course, it is. I can assure you that no one at St. Paul's, other than God and our Envelope/Deft Secretary, knows how much that is. But that is not the issue to be addressed here. This article is meant to be about why I give money to the church.

So, why do I give money to the church? I give out of an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness to God for all that I have received. I understand that all that I have is not my own, but is God's, given to me by God to enjoy and to share, not only with my immediate family, but with others. I'm reminded of the words, "Those, to whom much is given, much will be required." I know that I have been given much. My bank book says a great deal about my faith, and I want my children to know and understand what money means to me.

I know that there are many other charities seeking my donations. But, I give money to the church because I believe that it is imperative for the world to hear God's life-giving message of salvation and hope. Other charities spring from this message, of course. However, the need for the church, as the people of God, to be the active, empowering agent of love in a desperate world, in Jesus' name, is, for me, everything.

I once attended a church in New York State that took up a collection, before the service began, for the Sunday School. During the service, the tithe, the 10% offering of all one had earned the previous week, was received.

Later still, and much to my amazement, an offertory anthem was announced, and the members of the congregation, moved by the music they were singing, circled the church in great joy, bringing their offering forward for the Lord's work in the world. This was indeed a sacrificial gift for each one of them, as the congregation was poor.

After the service, members told me that they didn't believe in giving until it hurt, but rather, giving until they were freed from the bondage that money could have held them in. The love of money, after all, really is the root of all evil.

At the time the above article was written, St. Paul's was running a deficit. As your current treasurer, I share the following figures with you. These figures were shared with Parish Council 21 April 2010.

In the first three months of 2010, St. Paul's received $43,189 of the budgeted income of $44,431 for that time period. In the first three months St. Paul's spent $53,647. Of this spent amount, there was a onetime cost of $8,681 for refurbishing the Rectory.

I wonder what St. Paul's would be like if tithing were taken seriously.