I can still remember the email from our accounting team. It went something like this: "Hey Tim, I thought you'd want to know we got a $10,000 check in the offering yesterday from Rudy Pendago."
The news was shocking. We didn't receive gifts of that size. Ever. That check increased our receipts for the week by more than 20 percent. It was unbelievable.
But beyond the gift size, even more surprising was that we had never heard of Rudy Pendago. He had never attended any retreats or events. He didn't have kids in our youth or children's ministry, and this was his first gift to the church.
The next month, he placed another $10,000 check in the offering. And then a month later, another one arrived. In fact, every month for the next several years we received a $10,000 check from Rudy and his wife.
As time went on, we got to know the Pendago family. We learned that Rudy was a doctor in our area with a long-established practice and several clinics. We also learned he was just beginning to take steps in his spiritual journey, and had lots of questions and needs. In that first year, he verbalized a commitment to Christ and was baptized. He also joined the church and began to take significant steps in his faith walk.
Rudy connected especially well with our senior pastor. They shared similar stories of starting organizations from scratch, and both had the unique challenges that come when leading large numbers of people. Over time, we established a strong relationship with the Pendagos. We spent time counseling them, listening to Rudy talk about life and family, and challenging him to keep growing spiritually. Rudy met for breakfast monthly with our pastor, and worked through some deep emotional and spiritual issues that were holding him back from full devotion to Christ.
To know or not to know
Foundational to this true story (only the name was changed) is that I was alerted when the unusual gift arrived. We actually knew when the gift came and who made the donation. For some, that can be challenging. I've heard pastors say many times with pride, "I don't know the giving records of anyone in our church. I want to be able to treat everyone equally without giving favor to someone because of the amount of money they give."
This sounds great and preaches well. Seriously. It gives people in the congregation a respect for the pastor's pureness of heart. They feel good that the pastor is not motivated by money and won't be tempted to cater to those who use their money to control church decisions. However, I really question whether it is wise.
Wouldn't it be strange for a pastor to say the same thing about volunteering? "I don't want to know who any of our volunteers are. I want to be spread myself equally among those who give none of their time to the church as much as with people who volunteer 20 hours a week." That would be ridiculous. Leaders wouldn't be trained; volunteers wouldn't learn the philosophy and unique DNA of the church; and those who serve wouldn't be encouraged or thanked.
In some cases, it comes down to what we believe. Do we really believe there is a spiritual gift of giving (Rom. 12:8)? If so, why would we not spend some time and energy in discipling (equipping) givers to grow in their generosity (Eph. 4:12)? We don't apologize about identifying and equipping those with gifts of teaching, administration, mercy and serving. Why not also identify and equip those who have the spiritual gift of giving?
I also question whether an I-don't-know-what-you-give policy is biblical. It's interesting to me that Jesus knew exactly how much the widow gave. In fact, he purposely sat down right by the offering box to watch how much people were giving. Peter knew that a rich couple (Ananias and Saphira) had sold some property and were donating the proceeds. In the Old Testament, David told everyone exactly what he had given to the temple building project, and that motivated the people to new levels of sacrifice.
Know who is not giving
It is difficult to see into someone's heart. Motives sometimes come out through actions, but other times motives are masked by those skilled at posing. Yet in Matthew, God gives us a very clear way to see into someone's heart: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Our money follows our heart, and our hearts follow our money. I buy my wife tickets to a Broadway musical because I love her and I know it will make her happy. I take my kids on vacation because I love them, and I want to spend more time with them. I give money to send a friend on a mission's trip because I love him and I believe in what he's doing.
Where I place my treasure indicates where my heart is. And so it is with your church. Many times, when someone leaves the church, they actually stopped giving money several months prior. Their heart left first, then their money. Finally they left physically.
When is the last time you heard a church planter stand up?and say, "God has called me to reach the wealthy in our city"?
By looking at the giving records, you have insight into the heart of your congregation. Sometimes that allows you to offer ministry to someone who is in a season of crisis.
A couple years ago I noticed a change in giving by one of our core youth leaders. He had given weekly for years, but suddenly stopped. I kept an eye on his giving for a few months after that, only to confirm he had completely stopped contributing. Yet he was still leading our students and by all appearances seemed perfectly okay.
I called him and told him I had noticed the change in his giving pattern. I said, "That usually means one of three things: You are in financial crisis; your giving is automated and it stopped without your knowledge; or your heart has left and you are having a difficult time supporting the ministry of the church."
We talked for a few minutes, and I learned that he indeed was facing a financial crisis at his place of employment. A few minutes after we hung up, I received an email from him:
I got to thinking about our call … and I just had to tell you THANK YOU so much for doing that. You are so extremely busy that to take your time to make the call yourself to find out what's going on with me and my finances really meant a lot. Thanks for reaching out like you did … you're a great business exec, but more importantly, a great friend.
Often, pastors don't find out about problems until a member leaves the church. If they had looked at the giving records, they would have seen it coming and could have offered help and healing.
Ministry to the Rich
Every Monday morning I receive a report of people who gave that weekend over a certain dollar amount. This helps me identify people who are giving sacrificially. It also helps me identify people who are giving out of their abundance.
Let me say it a different way: It helps me identify rich people. I realize it's not politically correct in today's world to say that out loud. I think the American church has a heavy case of Richism. The rich are scoffed, looked down on, and chided for not doing their fair share. When is the last time you heard a church planter stand up and say, "God has called me to reach the wealthy in our city"? No one would give them the platform for such an announcement. Yet every day we hear of a new church or ministry started for the under-privileged or poor. They are the superstars.
Let me be very clear: I think it's awesome that people are giving their lives to help those who are poor and destitute. It's part of my calling! Every church should help feed, clothe, and care for those who need it the most. But I also think it's awesome when people give their lives to help those who happen to have money but whose souls are ravaged by divorce, loneliness, materialism, and chemical dependency. Scripture tells us that some of the most difficult ministry is with those who are rich (Matt. 19:23-24).
Rich people often feel devalued by pastors. They know the church wants their money, but don't feel loved, cared for or valued. I believe it is time for pastors to offer the same level of love and ministry to those who have money—as much as they do for those who don't. That means we need to begin to identify those who have money and get to know them. We need to learn about their family, their hobbies, and their work. In essence, we find out what is unique about their story. We encourage them to continue to take steps toward Jesus and we equip them to grow in their spiritual gifts.
The truth is those who are wealthy have different questions and different motives for giving. I have learned some unique characteristics are often true of those who are wealthy:
• They ask lots of questions. They aren't satisfied with "what" the church is doing, they want to know the "why" behind the "what."
• They want to make a difference. Most rich believers don't want attention. But they do want to do something significant. They want to know their gift matters.
• They like transparency. If it seems like something is being hidden, they will move on.
• They are accustomed to being asked for donations. The "ask" is not offensive to them.
• They are drawn to projects that have a personal meaning. They will give some to the general budget, but more often their largest donations will go toward a specific project or ministry.
• They need creative options for investing in the ministry. They may want to transfer stocks to the church, or sell a building and set up a charitable trust, or give to an endowment.
• They are accustomed to dealing with the "top person" in the organization, and their giving potential may not be maximized without that connection.
Issues of Control
One more thing is true of those with money: Sometimes they are tempted to use their money to steer the direction of the church. That is effective in just about every arena of their life, so they assume it will work at church as well.
There is a balance to be achieved between listening to your financial leaders and being controlled by someone with money. Sometimes they have something to say that you need to hear. Other times, it's a spirit of manipulation that comes straight from their fleshly desires. It's no different than anyone else in the church; we're all tempted by selfishness and power. But with the rich, the ramifications are more significant. You may actually have to fire staff or stop programs if they leave the church.
I believe the greatest antidote for manipulation and control is a leadership team of spiritual individuals. With one person, it's easy to lose objectivity and be manipulated. But in the multitude of counselors, there is safety (Prov. 11:14).
Remember Rudy Pendago, the guy who was giving $10,000 a month? For many years he was a cheerful giver, growing in his faith and supporting the ministry of the church. However, during the Christmas season one year, he decided to use his leverage to try to control and direct the church. After a special offering was announced, he told us he didn't like the project for which the money was being raised.
We discussed this as a team, but believed the project was the right direction. We said, "That's fine Rudy, you don't need to give to the special offering. We totally understand." Then he said, "That project is a waste of money, and if you keep pursuing it, I'm going to stop giving any money to the church."
He left the next week. And so did his money.
I believe we honored God with our connection to Rudy. He met Christ, was baptized and took huge steps while with us. I believe we also honored God by not allowing his money to control the church.
In time God brought three families to replace the Pendagos. And we are pressing in to equip them, challenge them, and help them take their next steps.
After all, that's what the Church is all about, for the rich and the poor.
Tim Stevens is the executive pastor at Granger Community Church in Indiana.
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