"What If I Didn't Give to the General Budget" Psalm 76; Matthew 25: 14-30

I'm finding it hard to approach this week's question -- "What if I didn't give to the general budget?" because in some ways it is a typical stewardship topic wrapped in a little bit different approach. Trying to be consistent in answering the question is proving problematic.

Of course, this week has the obvious trump  -- if we did not give to the church budget, we would not have the church programs, etc.  Or, should I push the other way and suggest that God will figure out a way to find people to do the vital ministry this church does, but we get to choose if we want to participate in that.

That almost fits with the argument that giving to the church budget does not matter -- what matters is that we are giving back to God.  Implicit in the request for people to pledge to the church budget is the belief that giving to the church equates with giving to God.  As the body of Christ, maybe we can and should make that claim, but it also feels a bit presumptuous.

Why do you give to the church budget?

Last week's passage from Paul about making giving a part of our weekly routine seems appropriate here as well.  Our pattern of giving to the general budget creates a pattern of giving.

Psalm 76 suggests that we give gifts to God because God is awesome.  That, of course, leads back to the belief that giving to the church budget equates to giving to God because God is awesome.

The Gospel lesson reminds us that God does not want us to hoard or hang on to our resources, but to put them to work.  The church's mission as the body of Christ makes it the place where we put those resources to work for God.