Generous Giving as an Investment
Would you consider 'Giving' as an investment? "Be confident, invest wisely, invest generously – and why not cheerfully? " so said the Treasurer of the Bradford Deanery, David Robinson.
David gave a detailed report on the financial situation of the Diocese. His main concern was for transparency, as he said:
“over this time I’ve been struck by just how little members of the church and certainly even less the general public, as indeed the media, have any appreciation of how our churches exist financially”
He also touched upon Parish Share,
“The message is that Parish Share pays for Parish Ministry; it is not optional nor is it a tax”.
He made it clear that it was important to inform and educate the clergy and the congregation on how the church is funded and what their contributions pay for and what they do not. Also to inspire them to give generously as an investment in the ongoing ministry of the church.
The Treasurer concluded by saying:
“We do need to encourage (from the top-down, at all levels) a change in mindset towards our giving and support of Parish Ministry. When talking to our congregations about giving may I suggest that we describe it in this way – as an investment. Be confident, invest wisely, invest generously – and why not cheerfully?
May I repeat, therefore, from the letter of Paul to the Corinthians: “the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
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