At the last meeting of the Conference of Bishops of the ELCA in March, we agreed as a conference to encourage our members to tithe this one-time gift out of thanksgiving to God, and in support of those in need.

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Dear Witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus,

During the month of May, many of you will receive a check from the United States Treasury for at least $600 as a part of the federal government’s economic stimulus plan.  The hope is that you will spend this money on goods and services which will help to strengthen an economy that has been struggling these last few months.

It is estimated that the 4.9 million members of the ELCA will collectively receive about one billion dollars.

At the last meeting of the Conference of Bishops of the ELCA in March, we agreed as a conference to encourage our members to tithe this one-time gift out of thanksgiving to God, and in support of those in need. This recommendation came to the bishops from the Ministry Among People in Poverty Committee.

I agree with this recommendation and encourage you to think of the tithe every time you receive an unexpected windfall. However, there is a sense in which this recommendation does not go far enough, for it still encourages us to think that what we receive as a gift is ours to do with as we see fit.

I want to encourage you to think of what God wants you to do with ALL of the $600 you receive. The government is hoping that you will spend it on a new television set, a vacation, or do some remodeling in your home. You may want to use it to lessen your credit card debt, pay off some lingering loans, or put it in a savings account for your children. 

However, I want you to ask, “What does God want me to do with these funds?” You may also end up at a totally different place that is more congruent with God’s will.

Isn’t this what we should do with everything that we have? Isn’t everything a gift from God’s gracious hand? A tithe is not enough. We cannot just give God a tenth and be done with God and do whatever we want with the rest. 

For you see, God wants to use you and everything you have been given for the purpose of sharing the love of Christ, for the purpose of making Christ known to the world.

As his disciples, we first ask, “What is God doing in me and through me for the sake of the world?” “How can I use what God has given me for that purpose?”

When you receive that check in the mail, pray, “Lord, what do you want me to do with this gift from your gracious hand?” You will be blessed by asking that question and you might just be surprised by the answer you receive.

Your brother in Christ,

Bishop Jim Stuck