Day 129: “Donors generously heed the call for help: Giving has surged during the pandemic.”

DAY 129

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

pastorrobert@paxpres.org

Week Nineteen – Tuesday 21 July 2020

“Donors generously heed the call for help: Giving has surged during the pandemic.”

“When the coronavirus prompted states to order residents to stay at home … unemployment surged around the country … . Soon after, there were calls for philanthropists, charitably inclined people and even occasional donors to accelerate any giving they were planning to do. They stepped up, it turns out, giving more and giving faster than they typically do. The needs were urgent. Virus-related charities and social service agencies, like food banks, were thrust into an immediate role whose size and scope they were not prepared for … . Now after the initial outbreak, two reports show that Americans gave at a rate and a level that eclipsed donations during the 2008 recession and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.” - Recent newspaper article

I keep a large spread sheet on which I list on the left all organizations to which we give. Across the top are thirteen columns, one for each month and one for all totals. The first listing is always our home church, which has happened to also be the churches in which I have served and to which we give the tithe of our pre-tax income, everything the church gives me. We believe God’s Word: “’Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty.” If we all tithe, there will be enough in God’s house for all He calls us to do in ministry and outreach – just think what that would mean – exciting!

We can testify to the truthfulness of this text: we have tithed to our home church from day one of our marriage and given above that tithe to other needs from overseas missionaries to local ministries helping others – we have ‘tested’ God and He has come through – we have never lacked . Now we find ourselves praying about ways we can also give above our tithe as the human need out there is great due to the pandemic.

Reflective question: What can you give above your tithe and where, to make a difference in lives that are hurting because of the pandemic?

Reflective Scripture: Hebrews 13:16 – “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Reflective hymn:

“God Whose Giving Knows No Ending” – Robert Edwards (1915-2006)

Treasure, too, you have entrusted, gain through powers your grace conferred:

Ours to use for home and kindred and to spread the Gospel word.

Open wide our hands in sharing, as we heed Christ’s ageless call,

Healing, teaching, and reclaiming, serving you by loving all.