Last week, a development leader of a $100-million-a-year ministry shared with me that 60 percent of their annual budget would be received in the last three months of the year, and much of that in December!
Some say it’s a shame Christian giving is influenced by the year-end tax calendar. In my opinion, this is not all bad. Our lives orbit around dates on the calendar. But what if God is actually OK with it?
We push hard Monday through Friday, and then we get a weekend rest and earn occasional breaks (Memorial Day, July 4, etc.). As we round out the year, we have more extended breaks—Thanksgiving, then Christmas.
The year-end holidays are favorites. For many families they bring extra days to hang out, feast on an abundance of food, watch some football and play corny board games with the kids.
Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
And yes, people think about giving too. Before it’s all over and we toast into the New Year, we make sure we give our gifts.
Some church and ministry leaders are mindful to make sure the office is open on Dec. 31. They know this is the day some givers might be driving around to get their last-minute giving on the books.
Gift Calendar
One of the first things God did for the Israelites (while working out a jailbreak from Egypt) was to give them a calendar. He filled it with three special holidays, each with periods of feasting—and giving.
The Passover kicked off the beginning of the year with a nice seven-day vacation. It was early spring, when all the new momma sheep had birthed their lambs. The Israelites were careful to set aside the firstborn for sacrifice, along with every 10th sheep for the tithes. And as daddy was thumbing through the files (or knife notches on the barn stalls), he would note any vows they committed during the winter and set aside those gifts as well.
After gathering the gifts, the children strapped their portable video players to the camel humps, and the family set off for their pilgrimage to the temple to feast, celebrate, give thanks—and give gifts too.
Seven weeks later, Pentecost arrived. This was when the early crop began to show in the fields, when it was their chance to gather a firstfruits offering and thank God for the coming fall harvest.
And in the fall, landowners would bring in the full harvest, taking inventory along the way. After shutting down their fields for winter, they gathered their gifts and set off for the year’s final festival, the Feast of Tabernacles. This one lasted 21 days! (Enough time to capture each of the 35 bowl games on TV.)
God staggered the Israelite calendar with gift seasons, each in sync with the livestock and harvest seasons. Folks worked hard during the year with periodic breaks to pause, assess God’s blessings, set aside gifts—and offer them to God.
Holidays Are for You
Just as Jesus reminded us the Sabbath was for us and not the other way around, remember the holiday calendar is for you. It’s your opportunity to celebrate with family and friends, count your blessings from God—and give your gifts.
Year-end giving can be a beautiful part of our life rhythm. God enjoys giving us these breaks, celebrations and seasons of gifts. As you approach the year-end holidays, take the time to:
- Assess your harvest. Look over your wage statements and other incomes sources. And while you’re at it, take note of your non-financial blessings as well.
- Thank God for your blessings. He enjoys knowing you recognize these things are from Him.
- Review your gifts throughout the year. Life gets busy. Sometimes we lose track.
- Pray about how God would have you finish out your gift year.
And if you find yourself driving across town on Dec. 31 to drop off a check or getting online just before midnight to process one final gift transaction—don’t feel bad.
Instead, look up to the heavens, close your eyes, smile ... and then click.
Jeff Anderson has worked with churches for nearly two decades, as elder in his own church, as vice president of generosity initiatives with Crown Financial Ministries and currently as leader of AcceptableGift.org.
For the original article, visit pastors.com.
Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Dr. Mark Rutland's
National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)
The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!
FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.
Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like you’re not growing? Do you need help from an expert in leadership? There is no other leadership training like the NICL. Gain the leadership skills and confidence you need to lead your church, business or ministry. Get ready to accomplish all of your God-given dreams. CLICK HERE for NICL training dates and details.The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.