Sermon: Your financial gift to the church is a ‘test of genuineness’ …

istock_000003781492mediumPaul launched the first Christian stewardship campaign. Writing to the Corinthians — a mostly well-off population that prided themselves on being educated and doing good work — Paul warns them that their tithes to church pale in comparison to the Macedonians, a population not nearly as wealthy. Paul said our financial gifts are a test of our genuineness.

Paul’s words are very relevant today. Giving — as a proportion of income — begins to drop off the wealthier one becomes. It’s the poorer, less educated “red states” that give more proportionally than the richer, more educated “blue states.” Meanwhile, it’s the wealthy, well-read liberal “elites” that are often at the forefront of calls for social change. But are we putting our money to the cause?

Sermon

The Word in Song: “Take My Life and Let it Be”

“The Privilege of Sharing”
Sermon by The Rev. Joe Gunby
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Nov. 20, 2016