Dear Friends,

On Biblical principle we should return a dime to the Lord on every dollar that comes our way. If we did this we would be “ tithing, ” meaning we would be giving a “ tenth ” of all we received to the work of the Church. The term for “ tenth ” was “ tithe ” in Old English.

The tithe was required in a day before the “ welfare state, ” the “ separation of Church and state, ” and the phenomenon of income tax and other assorted taxes which takes such a big chunk out of our earnings. When Israel was commanded to tithe, Israel had no king or social institution outside the priesthood. Times have changed and the society in which we live makes tithing an unrealistic ideal for most people. There are faithful and charitable souls who still do it, but I am not one of them. Like you, I have to watch my shekels. I have a kid in college and another one who will go behind him. Retirement is still on a far horizon, but I don ’ t own my own home and I have to worry about that. My list could go on, but I am sure you have a list of your own of why you need to be prudent with your finances. We all do.

None-the-less, we number among the wealthiest people of the world. The advantages and privileges we enjoy in life due to the wealth we have been blessed with are beyond the imagination of most of people alive today. We should be thankful come Thanksgiving because for whatever reason, “ the lines have fallen for us in pleasant places, ” as the Psalmist is wont to say.

Although tithing very well may be beyond our ability, we still need to remember the Biblical injunction to be disciplined in all aspects of our life including our financial stewardship. “ Living within our means ” means living a life that enables us to remember the needs of the Church and be able to meet the demands of charity and philanthropy when such need cries out to us. Living and giving in this manner is a joy when done in a right spirit – not a burden but another one of the happy privileges with which we have been blessed.

Our annual stewardship drive is upon us. Please be generous and give as you have received. The cause is more than simply “ good; ” it is of God. Out of all the things we might do with our money, there is no better investment than an investment in the continued sharing and living of the Gospel with others through the fellowship and various ministries of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In the end our giving will not be measured in terms of percentages, but in terms of faithfulness. May the Lord say to each of us, “ Well done, good and faithful steward. ”

Yours in Christ,

Frank

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