October 20, 2009

Brothers and Sister in Christ,

Edenton Street United Methodist Church is an amazing, Spirit-filled church!  I never imagined almost seventeen years ago when Beth and I first visited Edenton Street what an incredible blessing and community this church would become for us.  Sure, people were friendly and the emphasis the congregation put on prayer and faith development were inspirational.  However, were it not for a few hospitable individuals who went the extra mile to make us feel welcome, we may have moved on to some other friendly, faithful congregation. 

A dear, older gentleman greeted me and talked as a peer to me every week.  Another couple invited us to join a Sunday School class that was just forming.  Our two children, Jake and Hannah, came along and we had an instant community of fellow parents and newborns, all of whom have grown up to be high school students now.  Then, we got involved with missions, the nursery, and Pathways Sunday School programs.  On a mission to Mexico, I saw Reynosans offer tearful thanks to the Lord despite their apparent poverty, and American teens weep for joy because Jesus was so evidently present even in a one-room chapel.  In East Asia, I saw college students gasp out loud when they first understood that Jesus died for them, so that their sins would be washed away.  I have seen little children grow up into amazing youth and young adults, strengthened by the spiritual nourishment they received at Edenton Street.  Most obvious to me, I have seen my faith and my family’s faith grow into the solid foundation that lifts us up every day.  Yes, Edenton Street is an amazing church!

God has been steadfast in His love for us (Deuteronomy 7:9).  Every believer should give what he believes God would have him give.  Our giving is a reverent act of worship – God loves a cheerful giver!  Beth and I have spent many hours praying, reading God’s word, and considering how we can give back to God to honor Him for blessing us.  Through much of our careers, we have both been self-employed and our incomes are difficult to predict from one year, or even one month, to the next.  A question echoes through my mind as I think and pray about our financial giving to the church:  What proportion of our income do we feel God is calling us to give?  2%?  5%?  10%?  More?  Like us, all Christians are called to consider the level at which they can cheerfully give back to God and then prayerfully increase our proportional giving toward the tithe.  You have to start somewhere! 

   Working with students, I am reminded of a lesson I learned somewhere along the way:  what I got out of a class was directly proportional to what I put in.  Paul wrote (2 Corinthians 9:6) that “whoever sows sparingly shall reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously shall also reap generously.”  We know that it is through our faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved, not through our works or acts, even acts of giving.  Giving more to the church does not make one a better Christian.  However, increasing your proportion of giving even as we see economic struggles around us is an act of faith and worship.  Our proportional growth loudly proclaims that God has richly blessed us and so we give back to Him.  

We are listening intently to the sermons each week, watching the Holy Spirit at work in the missions and faith development taking place at church, and praying earnestly to God for guidance as we consider what proportion of our earnings we will give back to God this year.  I invite you all to do the same.  While you are praying about this commitment, please understand that members of our congregation have volunteered to pray for you as well, so that this consideration can be a reverent act of worship to our God who has blessed us so richly.  You may either mail your pledge card before Oct 25 or you may bring your card to church on Oct 25 where it will be collected after worship and a time of prayerful consideration. 

Peace in Christ,

 David L. Smoot

Administrative Board Chair