Home
Christian Giving
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
---------
It is part of being a Christian to give not just money but your time and talents as well.
The Bishop told me the other day that if everyone who goes to church on a Sunday in this diocese increased their giving by the price of one Costa Coffee, about £2.60, then the diocese’s financial problems would be over. Its not a great sum but then there are a lot of Christians to share the burden if they chose to do so.
The Church of England is a very large organisation so sometimes the figures bandied about are eye watering but don’t be misled by scale, the church is dedicated to serving the community and its resources are all put to good work. The church is in fact a very lean operation.
The Church of England accounts at both national and diocesan level are open for all to see. If you examine them you will notice that the church is following the biblical tradition of supporting those who need it, educating children, alleviating poverty, providing shelters for those who need them, providing food banks and so on. Speaking of those who need support; it is through your giving that clergy are housed given the financial resources to serve their communities. Without your support the clergy would have to find employment elsewhere and would have far less time available for God’s work.
This benefice receives more from the diocese than it gives to it. Please help us to turn that around - we have the resources to do so.
Yours
Tony
Three Valleys Team Ministry
For details of future services, please go to the Services page; for reports on what has happened, please go to the Recent Events page and look at the Forthcoming Events page too.]
For up-to-date arrangements, as we receive them, please go to the Arrangements for opening churches page.
See the Three Valleys Team facebook page as well for more information and to watch live-streamed services.
**************************
A PRAYER FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
**************************
For a morning and evening liturgy, published by Lambeth, to be downloaded for use at home,
please click here
**************************
The Reverend Tony Gilbert and his wife Nicola