Financial Decisions from a Religious Perspective

How do you give to your church and other charities? Here Kaye gives her own answers about how she approaches giving donations. She describes how she can turn to the Lord in this process and practically how she balances her own needs with those of others. -Editor.

How do I invite God into my financial decision-making?

Remembering to invite God in, is the first step. My brain begins thinking about usefulness in a broad way. I then reflect about the God-given talents I have, and gain a sense of gratitude because I know that only the Lord could have blessed me with them. (I certainly didn’t create them!) This brings me back to addressing the financial questions from a grateful heart asking myself, “Where would this money be best spent and why?”

How do I balance the needs in the world and wanting to donate to causes AND my own debt and need for financial stability?

Starting from broad reflection, I know that EVERYTHING is from the Lord: I ask Him to guide my ways, and TRUST that He will. It makes this balancing of needs feel like a peaceful partnership not one full of personal angst.

How do I decide where to donate?

Much of who I am comes from being mentored by my parents about being a contributor, my doctrinal foundation, and the educational system from which I benefitted. The General Church and the Academy have a potential donor base that amounts to about a thimbleful compared to many of other world charities. If I believe that these two institutions have not only had a huge impact on me but could give others a similar benefit, it makes sense that I would make gifts to the spiritual base and school system that has truly blessed my life.

What about people on the street begging? What is the compassionate and wise response?

Most of the time I try to think about bigger, broader ways that will be sustainable. I love the fable about it being better to teach a man to fish rather than give him a fish. If I give money to the street beggar I have no idea what the end use is, whereas if I give to food pantries (for example Philabundance) I have more chance of making a sustainable difference. I also say a silent prayer asking the Lord to help and bless the street beggars on their journey.

Is the tithing message of the Old Testament relevant today?

In a word, yes. Much in the Lord’s Word points to us giving of our time, talent, and treasure. (Ezekiel 20:40, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 are two examples) It’s not that the Lord needs it. However, He knows that we are very attached to natural things; we like to have dominion over our time, talent, and treasure. When we give from our hearts, first, because we want to be good stewards of all that the Lord has given us including His earthly kingdom, His people, and His Church, then the Lord can draw nearer to us and turn our “stony heart into one of flesh.”

What is the New Church view of tithing?

I don’t want to answer this one. It might sound like there is a “right way” but I can offer this paper that Wayne did on “Thoughts on Giving from a New Church Perspective,” found on page 320 of the New Church Life Sept/Oct issue in 2011.

How do I make my spiritual values a priority financially?

I decide what I want to give back to the Lord in terms of a percentage of what I have to give. Then I take that portion and divide it between the organizations I want to support.

Quotes that inspire me:

What shall I render to the Lord for all His Benefits toward Me? (Psalm 116:12)

Charity is...giving to the poor and assisting the needy;...it is endowing churches and doing good to their ministers;...all these are eminent examples of charity when they are done with judgement from a love of justice. (True Christian Religion 459:17)

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

Kaye Lermitte

Kaye (Jungé) Lermitte is married to Jay Lermitte and they have six children, three daughters-in law, and seven grandchildren. Her life’s journey has taken her through several chapters including being a stay at home mom, an aerobics instructor, 5th grade girls club leader, class mom, president of an organic food co-op, doula, assistant to the General Church young adults program, Director of the Academy and General Church Ambassador program, and currently she serves as a Stephen Minister and works in the office of Advancement as Donor Relations for the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools, Bryn Athyn College, and the General Church. This entry came about because a young mother approached Kaye to ask her opinion on the previous questions. Kaye is quick to mention that this is her personal story, and she hopes that all will find their own conversation with the Lord on giving.