Giving During Covid-19

One of the things that has been challenging for many churches and other Christian ministries is how to approach the subject of financial giving during the past several weeks. I've had discussions with leadership at our congregation about what our best options moving forward are to ensure that we can continue to facilitate ministry in the days ahead. Each church and ministry must do what they feel is best.

Allow me to offer some thoughts, not from a church standpoint but from an individual standpoint.
Many around us have had hours reduced or jobs completely lost due to Covid-19, we should seek ways to help and minister to them accordingly as the Lord leads us. Fear of the unknown can make us hoard our money during difficult days. Christian ministries and churches are still ministering to people and so we must not give in to the temptation to withhold our gifts and contributions to them. In fact, this may be a time, when we look at our family resources and see if there are ways to contribute over and above what we normally give to ministries and churches to help compensate a loss of financial gifts from others. This is also a time when people may be facing health issues or other burdens that we find ways to help minister to them and meet their needs in tangible ways. Maybe that's a meal, a gift card to a local restaurant, or simply an extra $20 cash for whatever they may need.

In a world that has seen people being greedy and selfish (toilet paper and hand sanitizer depleted in stores) this is a time for Christians to embrace generosity on a completely different level. Again, I know that there is fear of the unknown for many if not all of us, especially financially, but as Christians our faith is not in the stock market or cash reserves, it is in the Lord. We must relearn what it looks like to be dependent on God for all our provisions. Even still, living generously is something we are each called to do. If you are able, be sure to be generous to someone around you in need. If you feel led, give to a ministry around you, to help give them a boost during this difficult season. If you are in a situation in which you can't give financially, pray. Pray for your church and its leaders. Pray for ministries all around your area. Pray for those who are walking through health concerns or job concerns. Pray for our governmental leaders. Pray for healthcare providers. Pray for truck drivers. Pray for grocery store workers. Pray for your family. Just pray.