If the Gospels are the canon by which we discern the Word of God, we need to recognize that sometimes the Word of God was revealed in the context of the misunderstanding or even disobedience of the disciples as well as at times when they were obedient.
While the goal of Highland becoming a 50/50 church in which 50% of what we are entrusted with is given beyond ourselves has been repeatedly voiced, the pressure of meeting expenses within the church in view of inadequate pledging has rarely resulted in a benevolence gift above 25%. Yet the vision of Christ’s benevolence often results in signs of faithfulness.
n 1958 this new church was already supporting four missionaries in other countries. They have repeatedly been responsive to fund drives of local Presbyterian institutions. In 1988 they responded without hesitation to the request that they give an amount equal to 1% of their local budget in support of theological seminaries. In 1990 when it was learned that we had received an inheritance of $50,000, the Session immediately voted to tithe the gift and gave $5,000 to the local poverty ministry, Crisis Control Ministry. Their local benevolence support of ministries within our community was close to $55,000 in 1995.
Are there signs of disobedience in the inability of the church to proclaim a transforming Gospel which enables their members to respond with at least 10% of their income for the proclamation of the Gospel in the life and ministry of the Body of Christ?
The life of Highland has often been confronted with inadequate resources. They have repeatedly been faced with deficit budgets, emergency appeals to the congregation to reconsider their pledges, borrowing money to meet expenses and cutting back on programs because of a shortage of funding. Yet in one stewardship campaign in the early ’90’s it was calculated that if every member of the church was on welfare and tithed, the church’s budget could be doubled.
Is the Scripture speaking to us when it says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.”? (1 Timothy 6:10) In the life of a church one can see the battle between the flesh and the spirit which is repeated in the individual lives of their members. The limits of finances can often drain the spirit of its courage and engender a defensive attitude towards the needs of others. But the spirit of Christ keeps revealing itself in bold acts of faith that call us back to fruits of the Spirit.
