Starting a four-part series on the spiritual disciplines of prayer and giving. Together and Apart looks at how we give - in worship and individually.

How can a shrinking church increase generosity? Generosity is a spiritual discipline, part of following Jesus. Reducing expenses doesn’t increase generosity.

What if a church wrote into a newspaper for financial advice? Part 1 of a series

When we are scared, we hold on to what we have too tightly. Sort of a death grip, which is ironic because none of the things we are squeezing are ours to keep. As I’ve said before, dying with a big pile of money under the bed is the same as dying with a big pile of zucchini under the bed….Like an angel’s visit, gratitude interrupts our fear and reminds us of God’s faithfulness.

Being tiny gives this parish the advantage of being totally reliant upon God. They need to ask for help from their neighbours, and they are a gift to their neighbours as well. Generosity builds relationships of giving and receiving.

Is grabbing a box of chocolates at the drug store generous?
Maybe those frantic folks grabbing gift boxes of chocolate have been praying about how to be generous, and God directed them to the candy aisle.

December is winter where I am, yet it’s a sweaty month for many church treasurers and finance people with a December fiscal year end. They are anxiously wondering: will the organization meet the budget, that is to say will donations match ministry goals?

Regardless of your faith tradition, everyone dies in the end. Please remember with gratitude people who have left money to the church in their wills.

The practice of gratitude guides humans like ultraviolet vision guides bees.

Ultimately having a big pile of money under the mattress is exactly the same as having a big pile of zucchini under the bed. You can’t take it with you.