From The Pastor

Pastor Loren Olson

Fear is a powerful motivator. Between on-going terroristic threats and the deep economic recession, the politics of fear fill the media. There seems little room for rational discourse about the problems of the day, just when we need those conversations the most. As much as we admire courageous leaders of the past who stood on principle even when their positions were unpopular, we don’t seem to want anybody to be courageous now. This is certainly a time for Christians to pray for good leaders and wise, courageous leadership.

Fear is affecting churches and non-profit organizations in significant ways. In a January 2010 a Barna Poll found that as a result of the recession 48% of Americans are willing to admit to pollsters that they have decreased their donations to non-profit organizations, and 29% are willing to admit they have decreased their giving to churches, most of them have decreased their giving by 20% or more. Although our homes are probably worth a little less than they were at the heights of the housing boom, and our stock portfolios are still a little lower than they were at their over-valued heights, 29% of us have not experienced a decrease in income. Still, fear has caused many to pull back at the very time when we need generous givers the most.

I believe in proportional giving as a spiritual discipline. Actually I believe that God really does want us to give 10%--whether it is 10% of gross or net income is open to interpretation, but I do believe that’s where God wants us to start. I also recognize that only 5%-7% of Americans agree with me about tithing, so that’s why I compromise and encourage proportional giving.

I believe we should prayerfully decide what percentage of income we should give away, and if our income goes up, our giving goes up. If it goes down, our giving goes down. If God moves us to make an extra gift, we remember that God calls for our tithes AND offerings, and that those extra gifts should exceed the percentage that we have committed.

If we allow emotion to determine our giving to church, organizations and others, fear and our selfish desires can interfere with our giving and cause us to lose the blessing of generosity. Don’t be driven by fear, but trust that with God that we can see our giving as an opportunity and reason to rejoice.

God is alive and well. Little things like recessions are blips in the social order. They don’t lessen God’s power. If it is making you fearful, if it is quenching your generosity, look to God for strength and encouragement. See you in church….

Loren