As United Methodist Church members we pledge to support the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. We often drill this down to the common phrase "we give of our time, our talent, and our treasure." And why do we leave out prayer and witness? (I'll leave that for another day - but consider if we put more emphasis on those last two we might not be a denomination in decline.)
For now let's consider the giving of our time, talent, and treasure. What does that really mean?
When we give of our time are we to tithe? Is it possible to give 10 percent of our time? How would we measure that? Jesus taught that we should give everything, but how would we give all of our time? Does that mean we must all become missionaries or ministers? The Bible also teaches that we should give cheerfully, but what does that mean?
I believe the time we give should not be the time we have left over, but rather should be time that we sacrificially give. The time we give should be time that we have, but there is value in the time being given being a sacrifice. So in order to be generous, we must learn to give of our time, our days off, our vacation, our extra hour of sleep, our game time, our television time, our personal time.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 NIV
When we give of our talent are we to tithe? Is it possible to give 10 percent of a talent? How would we measure that? Jesus taught that we should give everything, but how would we give all of our talent to Him? Does that mean we use a talent only for God and not in any other manner? The Bible also teaches that we should give cheerfully, but what does that mean as we give of our talent?
I believe the talent we give may not be the talent we must often show. A banker’s talent in finance may not be the talent he/she gives to the church. That talent may be the ability to love and care for babies in the nursery. The school teacher’s best talent may not be teaching, but may be singing in the choir. In order to be generous, we must be willing to give of the talent that has gifted us with and give it cheerfully. Talent is devoid of age, gender, or race. Talent is not judged as good, bad, or best. Your talent may be: ushering, greeting, moving chairs, making coffee, cleaning up, teaching a class, or wahtever. And guess what when you give of your talent, you will find that must often you have also given of your time.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 NIV
When we give of our treasure are we to tithe? Is it possible to give 10 percent of our treasure? Is that enough? What percent is the right percent? How would we figure that? Jesus taught that we should give everything, but how would we give all of our treasure? Would that even be right or stewardly? The Bible also teaches that we should give cheerfully, but what does that mean? I believe what you give is between you and God. I believe it should be consistent. I believe your giving should grow. Giving is about acknowledging who owns what you have – whether it be your time, talent, or treasure. One more thought, Giving should not go un-noticed. But let me qualify that statement. It should not go un-noticed by you. If all you are giving is your left-over, then what is that gift? Your gift should be such that you notice the giving and in noticing your giving you are acknowledging the source to begin with. I will also assure you that your giving will not go un-noticed by our God.
As we spend time with this man they called Jesus, we will see his life of generousity lived among us. We will see that He truly gave everything that He had to give – even His life. One Solitary life spent giving everything you have away will not go un-noticed. Whatever you have to give God will take it.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 NIV
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