Money

It’s been a surprising month in the Malmesbury & Upper Avon Group as we’ve diverted from the usual post-Easter texts and wrestled a bit with a four week teaching series on money, imaginatively titled ‘Money’. (Can you guess what our summer series on Moses is called?) In case you missed ‘Money’, or left the building just in time, in Week 1 (Malachi 3:6-12 & Luke 11:37-42) we considered that tithing (giving 10%) to your local church was an expression of spiritual freedom and an acknowledgement that everything comes from God – not just a dreary church-tax. In Week 2 (Habakkuk 3:16-19 & Mark 12:38-44) we noted that people can rejoice and give proportionately, even generously, in the very worst times. In Week 3 (Proverbs 3:1-10 & Luke 12:22-34) it was our hearts that were under the microscope and we reflected that when we worry we are living with the anticipation that God will neither provide nor protect us - and that undermines our discipleship. Finally at Pentecost (Deuteronomy 14:22-29 & Acts 4:29-37) it was pretty inspiring to be reminded that when the Spirit fell on the early church their attitude to possessions, each other and the poor was radically transformed.

I’ve been vicar in Malmesbury for over 8 years now, and this has been our first series on finance, so I felt a little apprehension as to how we would handle this together. But it has been good to see the issue of money brought maturely to the heart of our community, to rediscover just how spiritual matters of cash, credit cards and consumerism really are, and to reflect on where we are as a church financially.

What now? It’s simple really, no arm twist, this is between us and God. Maybe we revisit the texts above when we have a moment to spare, and then we are honest with ourselves and God about what is really fair that we give regularly to our local church. If this is a time when you might begin or increase your standing order to the Abbey then we’d appreciate it if you could do that in the next two weeks and it will help the church council plan wisely for the future as we make important decisions in June & July. If you don’t yet GiftAid your giving and you are a UK tax payer, it is very, very beneficial to the Abbey if you do so as soon as possible. Our Abbey Treasurer Chris Jager (chrisjager@malmesburyabbey.com) or GiftAid secretary Jim Druett will be happy to help, confidentially. You can get their phone numbers from Sandie in the parish office (01666 826666). Please note that myself and the Abbey leadership have no idea what anybody gives unless you bring your offering in a large sack every Sunday. (Thank you Eric, greatly appreciated.)

My prayer is simple, may our giving be holy, and may our leaders be wise.