November 12, 2017                    Dedication                                                                                   
       On Sunday November 12, Pete Dell presented a message on the importance of Union Congregational Church in his life, and it's impact on the community. Earlier in the week, I sent out a letter speaking about my financial commitment and dedication to Christ's church. 

From the pastor….

          I am a tither. For the last 25 years, I have given 10% of my net cash salary to the church. This year, that means about $4,000 per year, $320 per month, or $80 per week. I am a tither because the bible tells us to give our first fruits to God. First fruits are a tithe, 10%, of the gifts God has given to us. The bible says this not once or twice, but over 140 times. I am also a tither because I cannot ask people to give to the church if I am not willing to lead by example. It is possible to be a tither, and there are people in the church who are tithers.  

          Some people are afraid that if they tithe they will go broke, or be unable to afford what they need. I can tell you from personal experience that this is not true. For the last 25 years I have tithed, I have raised three children, made house payments, bought cars, paid my bills, financed 3 college educations, given my kids, dance, violin, and singing lessons, and supported their participation in basketball and soccer leagues. I take yearly vacations, go out to dinner, have hobbies, attend concerts and baseball games, and have an active social life. Being a tither has pushed me to focus on God and others rather than myself, and rewarded me with treasure in heaven, a lifetime of experience making a difference in people’s lives.

          Being a tither has also been good for the churches I have served. In those churches, I have led by example, and others have stepped up their giving, so that their churches no longer struggled. There is a huge difference between being a part of a church struggling to pay bills, and a church that is free to focus on mission and spiritual growth. People want to be a part of that kind of church! I also find that when people are invested in the church, the church becomes far more meaningful to them. God blesses their lives and the lives of those they serve in mission and ministry.

          Now I realize that most of us have already filled our personal budgets with so many items that it would be impossible to start tithing tomorrow. So I have included a tithing chart, to help you focus on where you are, and to consider how you might move towards tithing. Find your income on the chart, and determine what percent you give weekly. If you are giving 1% consider doubling it. If you are giving 2% or more, consider increasing it 1%. Like the widow who gave all she had to God, trust that God will take care of you, and indeed God will!

Pastor Ted