FIRSTFRUITS FINDINGS NEWSLETTER VOL. 11 NO. 5 October 2006 THE PATTERN OF GIVING In the last few issues of FirstFruits Findings, we continued a series that focuses on our role as stewards and how we, as Christians, carry out our expression of faith with our money. We call these the 3 P’s to define a pattern of faithful giving: Priority, Proportional, Periodic. In priority giving, we found that to integrate Christ into the financial side of our lives, we must first prioritize our lives around God, managing our material things to His glory. This takes thought, planning and prayer. Proportional giving is not giving leftover change, but giving to God our tithe and building from there as God has blessed. The third “P” represents the discipline of regular giving. PERIODIC GIVING Because of the constant demands we face from our culture, the influence of television and other media, friends, neighbors, etc., it is easy for our possessions and “wants” to compete with our giving. Creating a discipline of regular giving helps keep our mind focused on the Giver of the blessings we receive. The early church was instructed to give weekly on the Lord’s Day. “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (I Cor. 16:2) This provided both an intentional and a regular habit of giving. Today, for many individuals and families, “regular” giving may occur weekly or it may be monthly or even quarterly. This may depend on the frequency of salary received or by other determining factors. However, the key is that it is still a periodic, systematic act of giving. The fact is that we do need to establish our own time of regular giving. This system of giving needs to be in place in order for it to be intentional. Of course, there are always times and places for spontaneously responding to a special appeal, and we should allow the Lord to speak to our hearts on such occasions. Like anything in life in which we want to be disciplined, it starts by creating a habit. Whatever this may be, we need to do this activity consistently, over and over, for it to become a part of our life. The same is true for giving. It’s never too late to start, but it is more easily learned when it is started early – with young children or even early in marriage. Parents, never underestimate the power of your example. Children learn most effectively by what they see you do than what they hear. When it comes to giving, creating a regular discipline will impact your children into their adult years. Young couples, the easiest way to start consistent giving is by treating it in the same way you do your rent or mortgage payment or other expenses. It’s a regular occurrence. Make an agreement between both of you that giving is a priority in your marriage. Pray about it together and ask God to increase your faithfulness to trust Him. Habits tend to stay as we mature and actually become more than a habit. They become internalized as an important value in our Christian life. The habit of periodic giving not only expresses gratitude to our Lord, it becomes a part of the regular rhythm of Christian discipleship -- as much a part of us as the air we breathe. As we continue to grow in our understanding that there is a fundamental connection between our spiritual life and our actions concerning money, we will see the many giving opportunities available to glorify God in our life. QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION: What motivates me to give? How have I established a regular giving pattern in my life? What people in my life are influenced by my example? WHY DOES YOUR CHURCH NEED A FOUNDATION? A Foundation provides a way for your church to receive and hold gifts for specific purposes. It helps secure funding for the future. It provides a structure for your church to receive and administer large estate gifts of cash and property. It expands your church ministry opportunities by providing a systematic way to acquire funds for programs that may not fit into an annual church budget but, if implemented, could make significant kingdom impact. Barnabas Foundation can help with its church Legacy Foundation program. The Legacy Foundation was created in response to a need by churches to develop a structure through which gifts could be received and held for special opportunities or to fund extraordinary ministry projects. Barnabas Foundation offers its Legacy Foundation program so that your church may benefit from all of the advantages of a foundation without the legal cost and work of setting up and maintaining your own. By setting up a Legacy Foundation at Barnabas Foundation, your church will be provided with: - Established structure - Professional investment expertise - Consistent management and administration - Promotional resources for your congregation - Quality service If you are interested in more information about how a Legacy Foundation can help support the ministry of your church, please call us toll-free at 888-448-3040. Recommended Resource Available ONLINE Christians & Money A Conference held for Pastors and Church Leaders This first-ever event, co-sponsored by Calvin Theological Seminary and Barnabas Foundation, brought together many pastors and church leaders on September 22, 2006 to provide encouragement and resource ideas to help church leaders motivate Christians to be faithful stewards of the financial resources God has given. In response to many requests, the audio recordings and PowerPoint presentations from the conference are now available for download online at www.barnabasfoundation.com/login. To access this information, please use the following login -- Account: church and Password: steward. Opening banquet speaker, Dr. Cornelius Plantinga, Calvin Theological Seminary, spoke on the topic of “Ambition”. The keynote speaker, Rev. Jerry Dykstra, CRCNA, provided “A Healthy Church Challenge”. Other sessions also available for download include: Attitudes & Practices in the Pew: Obstacles to Generous Giving - Dr. Rodger Rice Outstanding Stewardship Stories from Churches - Rick Droog Secrets to a Successful Retirement (pastors) - Rev. Art Schoonveld Show & Tell: Resources to Maximize Generosity in Your Church - Mike Buwalda