Here at Mt Albert (The Meeting House) we are working up to a Planned Giving Program. That means that at some time we have to preach/teach about giving and MONEY! It doesn't matter where you are in the world, or what the culture, when you speak about money there are people in the Church that would seem to prefer that the world come to an end, rather than give up some control on their wallet.
I know that Planned Giving is about stewardship and stewardship is everything you do with everything you have and are. I know that it's about giving of time and talents as much as it is about money. And I believe it, and preach it loud. I know it's about being a good steward of all that God has generously given me, all that I am and all of God's creation. But let's not kid ourselves - we want to see more people giving more money.
And I don't think we should apologise for saying so. Jesus didn't! The Church, (MT Albert) needs the money to sustain it's ministries.
So by all means give God your time, make your talents available to the Church - but then do the harder thing and give your money too.
