No matter how or what amount you give to your congregation, thank you! Your offerings sustain important ministries, and there is no such thing as an inappropriate or inadequate offering. But if you are among the many who give regularly on a “lump sum” basis, consider giving on a percentage basis instead.
The “lump sum” basis is when donors give a fixed amount – say, $50 a week – to the church, regardless of what percentage it represents in their annual income. The advantage of lump sum giving is that it’s simple to calculate and keep track of. But lump sum giving reveals little about the generosity behind the gift. For a poorer family, $50 a week may be significant, whereas it could be a pittance for a wealthy family.
Since the Bible lifts up the principles of sacrificial giving as well as tithing, giving by percentage provides a better measure for giving. Once a family has calculated their gift as a percentage of income, it’s easier to track it and, over time, build up to a tithe. Here’s how to get started with percentage giving:
- Calculate your regular offering over the course of the year.
- Divide the total yearly offering by your total annual income. This will give you a figure.
- Multiply that figure by 100 to determine your percentage giving.
When planning your offering, consider increasing it by 1 percent a year. If you do, in less than 10 years you will be tithing. However you give, thank you for supporting God’s ministries.
Copyright ©2023 Rev. Robert Blezard. Reprinted by permission. Pastor Blezard works as content editor for www.stewardshipoflife.orgs and serves as pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, MD.
St. Andrew’s Annual Expenses by Category
| Expense Category | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Apportioned Giving | $18,000 |
| UMC Special Giving | $2,295 |
| Non-UMC Giving | $2,620 |
| Compensation & Benefits | $79,442 |
| Operating Expenses | $24,773 |
| Ministry Expenses | $20,439 |
| Capital Improvements | $14,299 |
| TOTAL | $161,868 |
| Monthly Average | $13,489 |