In the history of giving back to God, offerings were often made as a kind of restoration of relationship. Sacrificial offerings were given to atone for sins (both known and unknown), ritual impurity, but also for thanksgiving. One might think of the majority of these as appeasement so that we might find ourselves on God's good side once more.
Within Christianity, monetary offerings have sometimes fallen into this same theological rationale. The indulgences that Martin Luther wrote against seemed at their basest as a kind of sale on salvation. The Protestant Reformation stood against these, and the Roman Catholic Church later reformed their stance on them as well. But in some Christian circles, our theology on giving reverts back to this same logic.
In Contrast, Wesleyans emphasize God's Prevenient or Preceding Grace which starts with God's love for human beings. The divide between God and person lies with the person's ignorance or unwillingness to accept the love of God in their lives. The would be instead of starting with a place where we need to somehow work to get into right relationship with God. In this understanding, we believe that we start with a state of blessedness. Within our idea of giving to God, it begins with the stance that God has given to us first. As Christians, we see this gift coming through the incarnation (Christmas), the cross (Lent) and the resurrection (Easter). It also comes through all the teachings of Jesus (Ordinary Time).
Within United Methodist tradition, our mission is "To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." As we give, we trust that God is working through our offerings in order to bring good works to all the world. We are transforming the world!
All of these things preceded us before we were born.
So, as we give, we give in response to what we have received.
As persons recognize and accept God's great love for us in Jesus Christ, we come to an acceptance of the love, forgiveness and mercy we receive. We don't bargain or pay for atonement but receive it as a gracious gift. We repent of our sins within this great Justifying Grace. As we think about our generosity through this grace, we would begin to count our many blessings (and name them one by one) as the song goes.
The counting of our blessings may include a review of our lives. Where can we see God's hand at work?
We may have to train ourselves to examine with faith as a glass-half-full view when partaking in this look back! We give out of thankfulness for all that has shaped us and allowed us to be in this state of blessedness.
Finally, as we accept this relationship in Christ, we seek to become more like Jesus in our identities. This is how God partners with us in Sanctifying Grace. In order for us to become more Christ-like, we must engage in the various spiritual disciplines regularly. One of these would be to methodically give out of our resources to God through the Body of Christ where we are connected in the faith. We live out this connection through our local church.
It is in through these gifts that we recognize that we are seeking to influence the world around us for the better. We pray each week in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Giving to God through the church is literally putting our money where our mouth is!
So, as we give, we don't do so out of guilt or duty, but we do so because we believe that we are making our world a better place. It is out of our strong sense of mission that we give. We believe that God multiplies our gifts to share grace with every person.
Giving in this sense for me is joyous to do. It feels good to put my check in the offering plate (symbolically for me as I'm always near the pulpit) as I know these dollars are spent on things that abide.
As you make your pledge or gift, may you do so with a sense of gratitude and purpose!
Photo by Money via Flickr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license.
No comments:
Post a Comment