Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
“Pastors must consistently teach and model a theology that emphasizes God’s abundant grace in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ realized through the power of the Holy Spirit. Once believers recognize and experience God’s overwhelming love and grace, the only adequate response is profound, fall-prostrate-on-one’s-face gratitude. Believers who come to a full understanding of God’s grace will want to reorient their lives as instruments of grace, living generously in all aspects of their lives…
People watch us and are attracted to expressions of faith that make a concrete difference in the world. Are we grateful, and do we model appropriate generosity? Is our own financial house in order, with no debt or, at least, with a plan that moves us towards debt-free living? Are we addressing money and generosity in a holistic and biblical manner as we communicate through the multiple arenas of our lives? Do we provide opportunities for people to learn about financial matters in ways that are helpful and specific to their lives?”
Soozi Whitten Ford in “Beyond an Oxymoron” in Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, vol. 19 (Richmond: ESC, 2017) 28-29.
Ford gives a wake up call to pastors and others who serve in local church settings. Our example matters. If we model profound gratitude for the grace of God in our lives, so will those we serve. If we handle money differently from the world, so will those we shepherd.
I offer two words of advice to pastors. First, get your house in order. Live within your means with no debt or a plan that moves toward debt-free living and store up as much as possible in heaven. Second, talk openly about what you are learning. Do these two things and people will join you.
The measure of your giving, and that of your whole congregation, will shift (as Richard Foster once put it) from “how much of my money should I give to God to how much of God’s money do I need to keep for myself.” When that happens, generosity breaks forth.
People are watching you. Are you setting a good example?