Extravagant Generosity

Generosity describes the Christian’s unselfish willingness to give in order to

Our Hearts Go Out To All Of The Haitian People.

 make a positive difference for the purposes of Christ.

Extravagant Generosity describes practices of sharing and giving that exceed all expectations and extend to unexpected measures. It describes lavish sharing, sacrifice, and giving in the service of God and neighbor.

We teach and practice giving that focuses on the abundance of God’s grace and emphasize that we as Christians need to give, rather than on Trinity’s need for money.

The notion that stewardship rightly focuses on Our Church family’s need to give, rather than Trinity UMC’s need to receive is not simply a money-raising strategy, but a spiritually powerful truth.

Tithing helps we followers of Jesus understand that all things belong to God and that during our days on earth, we are entrusted as stewards to use all we have and all that we are in ways to glorify God. What we spend belongs to God, and we should use it wisely, not foolishly, on things that enhance our personal life and do not diminish it. What we save belongs to God, and we should invest in ways that strengthen society. What we give belongs to God, and we need to give generously, extravagantly, and conscientiously in ways that strengthen the Body of Christ.

Our sanctuary, Salem Lounge, and Robinson Chapel in which we worship, our church organ that lifts our spirits, every pew where we sit, the communion rail where we kneal, every hymnal from which we sing, all special music that has touched our hearts, every education classroom where we gaither with our friends, our church kitchen that has and will prepare our meals, every volunteer that has provided transportation to many of the various functions, every church camp cabin where we have slept–all are the fruit of someone’s Extravagant Generosity. We are the heirs, the beneficiaries of those who came before us who were touched by the generosity of Christ enough to give graciously so that we can experience the truth of Christ for ourselves. We owe the same to generations to come.

The keys to effective and spiritually strengthening campaigns are the same in all churches, large and small: an unapologetic but gracious emphasis on proportional giving and tithin, and emphasis on giving in the giver’s walk of faith, and emphasis on the connection of money to a compelling and clear sense of mission, an emphasis on widespread participation in planning and leading, and a heavy reliance not just on our pastor but each and every one of us.