CATHI DOUGLAS:

AFTER LONG PERIODS OF EMPTY PEWS AND DESPITE THE PAIN OF TODAY’S INFLATION, MONETARY GIVING REMAINS ‘AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR WALK WITH JESUS,’ SAYS SAN DIEGO PASTOR

Tithing, almsgiving, stewardship gifts, donations: Whatever the preferred terminology, selfless financial giving to one’s church is a key tenet of Christianity.

Today it’s an act of worship that can be challenging for members and churches of all denominations. Immediately following the isolation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic — which translated into barren collection plates as well as empty pews — church members now struggle against soaring inflation.

Still, no matter one’s circumstance, monetary giving remains a central biblical teaching and financial support is vital, observes Pastor David Cajiuat of Anchor Baptist Church in Kearny Mesa.

“Money takes on the characteristics of a deity,” Cajiuat says. “It provides security, induces guilt, it is powerful and seems omnipresent. Anything you do involves money. Most sinister of all is money’s bid for omnipotence in our lives.

Yet, he adds, “When we give sacrificially for the health of the church, we cultivate selflessness, and we give to the Lord what is his.”

Vital element

God calls his people to be disciples, to care for the poor, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, says the Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.

“Thus almsgiving is an integral part of our walk with Jesus,” Snook says. “Too many people believe that money will save us; discipleship is putting our trust in God instead.

“Almsgiving is how we share with others in a tangible way,” she adds. “Love is not just about feeling good, but about doing something. It’s a decision we make.

“By giving to our church, to service agencies, or to other community organizations, we are truly doing an act of love — and God has called us to be people who love.”

Snook says, surprisingly, that the pandemic had little effect on diocesan churches.

“Some of our folks are still worshiping online, but they are committing financially,” she says.

At the same time, she says, San Diego’s Episcopal churches are seeking creative ways to help support their mission, such as partnering with community organizations in sharing worship space, establishing preschools on their grounds, of using portions of their property to develop affordable housing.

Future giving to churches is evolving, she says, and leaders of mainline religions are keenly aware that, generally speaking, younger generations are less inclined than their elders to give generously to churches and other charities.

“Many of the younger people are not at a point where they can give as much,” she says. “And many of them didn’t grow up in church, so the future will be greatly affected by that generational shift.” As a result, Episcopal churches are focusing efforts on developing discipleship in young people.

No gap in giving

The Bible teaches Christians much about money, says Connor Mcfadden, community service pastor of North Coast Church. Those lessons resonate when it comes to raising funds.

“Our church is known for service and serving the community, so we have seen a lot of generosity in our members,” Mcfadden says.

Even during the pandemic — and now when facing inflation — church members have given consistently.

“I’m most proud of our church members, because there’s never been a gap in giving,” he says.

Like the parable about the widow giving one coin, whose gift is more valuable than a rich man’s offering because it is so dear, Mcfadden says that some of North Coast’s most generous people are those who have the least to give.

“It brings me to tears to think about people being so generous.”

While tithing, or giving one-tenth of one’s income, is the goal, he adds, “I’d say that’s something to work toward. You do what you can do, and you work your way up. When we give, it’s breaking the stronghold that money has in our lives.”

Whether it’s a Christmas outreach for families in need or local pregnancy resource centers, support for Ukrainians, or money for trafficked women and teens, Mcfadden says North Coast members are consistent in giving to the church’s prioritized causes.

“We’re really strategic about when we ask for money and why,” he notes. “We ask people to pray about what they can give. We tell them what we’re doing, and that it is with God’s direction.”

Part of worship

The health of Anchor Baptist Church is dependent on in-person donations at Sunday services as well as tithes that are pledged and given electronically, Cajiuat says. Members are asked to give their time, talent and treasure in support of the church.

“Tithing is part of our act of worship,” he says. “Giving cultivates selflessness and keeps us true and obedient to the Lord. In First Timothy, the love of money is noted as the root of evil.

“There’s nothing wrong with saving money,” he adds, “but it’s more important to give to the Lord.

“With the right motivation to give, people are happy, and their emotional and spiritual wellbeing is better,” he continues. “We’re obedient to God’s great commission to go into all the world and preach the Word.

“By giving, we are showing that we give to others by giving to God.”