The economy may be worse than it appears.  I believe one of the reasons for this is that too many Americans do not save money and live hand to mouth.  Americans are in debt.  When gas prices rise like they have, people’s budgets or should I say lack of a budget crumbles like a house of cards.

 Many people do not even have an extra $100 per month which means they can’t afford gasoline.  Without gasoline they can’t get to work.  This means the economy could crumble because individuals must choose which bills they will pay.   

Being a good steward of the resources God has put under our management takes discipline, wisdom, and prayer.  Luke 16:10 is a key to being able to manage wealth.  It says that a person who can be trusted with little can also be trusted with much.  If we are not trustworthy with worldly wealth, how can we be trusted with true riches?

Some CEOs of publicly held companies make tens of millions of dollars a year.  Most pastors make peanuts.  Personally I think a many pastors are worth more.  Most people expect pastors to make very little. 

Here is something I would encourage church goers to do.  Give a $20 offering to each pastor at your church.  This is above the tithe.  Just make the check out to the church and ear-mark it for the pastor in the memo section.  Our pastors serve us and work for us.  They are Gods servants.  If we can’t trust our pastors with with our money/labor we should find another church.  If we all do this maybe our pastors will be paid at least 1/10th of what they should.   

An offering is a gift in addition to or above the tithe.  The tithe is paid to the church that servers the tither.  It is used to operate the church, serve church members, and minister to the community.

Giving offerings is exciting but it should be taken seriously.  We are called to be a good steward of the resources God puts under our management.  If we are good stewards, those resources will increase.  Being a good steward of our offerings is not as easy as handing out money to needy people or even buying them things they need.  God owns everything.  He can put it wherever He wants it.  Jesus told Peter to go catch a fish and there would be a coin in the mouth of the fish.  God could hand out money to everyone if He wanted to.  He doesn’t do that so neither should we.  The love of money can do us great harm.  Giving money can often hurt the receiver.

We must seek God in how and where to give.  If we put it in the place He wants it, He will trust us with more.  Here is something to keep in mind.  We are called to spread the Gospel and make disciples of others.  We are also called to help the poor.  Just be careful on how you help the poor.  Make sure God is leading so what is intended for good will not be harmful.