Dealing with Uncertainty
As you’ll see in our April Financial Update, we had a rough month financially. In fact, I’m not certain I’ve seen a more challenging month from a financial perspective since I’ve been here.
It’s absolutely true that many members of our congregation give on an annual basis, from RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) from their retirement accounts or for other financial planning reasons. We always try to remember that when we have weeks or months when our giving looks low. But April was an outlier even from that.
An article from the Heartland Methodist Foundation (f/k/a The United Methodist Foundation of Indiana) came to mind as I worried about our financial situation, and I want to paraphrase from it extensively here.*
When they had conversations with several people about their giving and generosity, one word came up over and again: uncertain. They’re uncertain about the future of their church. They’re uncertain about the political situation and what might happen. They’re uncertain about whether their investments might decline after so many years of good gains. They’re uncertain about changes in life that may, or may not, be coming. So, they’re uncertain about how generous to be.
For most of us, certainty is a kind of idol. The worship of it keeps us from trying new things, from chancing failure rather than seeking success, and from taking risks that might lead to great things — and great joy to match. If they had needed certainty, the Jews never would have crossed the Red Sea, Magellan never would have left port, and America never would have put a man on the moon.
Given that we can’t be certain, how do we decide how – and how much – we should give?
Fortunately for us, the Bible provides us with guidance. We are to give regularly and in proportion to the amount we receive. When we receive income, we share some of it. The tithe of 10% has long been a norm for Christian giving. The point is that as we take in, we let go. If we get more, we share more. If we get less, we share less. We don’t worry about certainty, but about proportion.
Secondly, we take our cue from God, who so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. In fact, God gave the Son into an uncertain world. Jesus was laid in a feed trough at birth, and died on a cross — with a lot of ups and downs along the way. From life to death, nothing was guaranteed. But that act of giving from God’s heart has changed a billion hearts over the last two millennia.
Finally, we remember how our ancestors did it. There they were, homeless, wandering in the wilderness, not knowing what the week would bring. Yet each day, God sent enough for each day. Manna from heaven. They thought they were going to navigate life on their own, but God was watching over them the whole time. Once they were certain of God, they didn’t worry so much about the uncertainty of life.
We can be certain of two things today: life will be uncertain; God’s watchful care will not. Live well. Give well. And be blessed.
* Original article written by Rev. Glenn Howell