Rev. Peter C. de Vries, Ph.D. has served Old Union since November 1993.
To learn more about Rev. Dr. de Vries, go to FaceBook, Linked-In, or his blog.
FROM THE PASTOR
We’re at the beginning of that dreaded time of year known as tax season. Every time a W-2, 1099, or other tax reporting document shows up in your mail or email inbox, it’s another reminder that the IRS expects your tax return by April 15. In the midst of the headaches, however, doing your taxes is a great way to evaluate and improve an important part of your calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The Bible offers a clear guideline that as responsible stewards of all that God has entrusted to our care, part of our calling is to return to him 10% (or a tithe) of what we receive. Stewardship, by the way, includes more than finances but covers our entire lives. But because money is an important part of our lives and of our society, faithful stewardship of our finances is an important part of our walk with Jesus.
The first step toward tithing is to consider your contributions to the Lord’s work as a proportion of your income. This is where your tax-return work comes in handy. Once you’ve completed all the information that the IRS wants, look on your 1040 tax form for either your “total income” or your “adjusted gross income.” You can decide which, for you, represents best how much money you earned or received last year. Compare this number with what you’ve contributed for the Lord’s work last year, through your church contributions and through any other Christian work that you’ve supported. If your contributions equal at least 10% of your income, then congratulations! you’re already tithing.
For many people, that percentage will be less than 10%. Experts estimate that American Christians give about two or three percent. If that’s where you are, then you can make tithing, or giving 10% to the Lord, a goal to work toward. If you’re able to go directly to giving 10% in 2020, that’s great. Some people, however, may need to take some more time to move toward tithing as they adjust their family budget. If that describes you, then consider what you would need to contribute to move your giving up by one or two percent in 2020. Then next year at this time, you can set your giving goal additional one or two percent higher, until you reach 10%.
This is not a fund-raising appeal for Old Union Church. Throughout this message, you’ll notice that I refer to giving “to the Lord’s work,” not simply giving to the church. Your giving and tithing doesn’t have to go to the church, but to where it will do the most to advance the kingdom of God. If there are other ministries and missions that you feel called to support, then by all means do so. The purpose for tithing is not to help the church pay its bills, but to support and participate in God’s work.
This is, however, where we can challenge ourselves as a congregation. If you don’t think that giving to the church is the best way to support the Lord’s work, then what would it take for the church to be so? And, because you are part of the church, what are you going do to help our church be more effective in ministry and mission?
Peter
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com