Pledge Sunday

Pledge Now

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“So the last will be first, and the first will be last”
- Jesus

Jesus was always saying things that seemed upside down and back to front, challenging us that our thinking may be topsy turvy.

Across these two Sundays, we’re getting our fundraising campaign underway as we pledge towards our target of £0.5m.

So what would Jesus say to us as we make our pledge?

First - our thinking may be back to front

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One way to visualise our target

So often with our finances, it’s tempting to take care of ourselves first, and give to God from what’s left over (like Cain).

But Jesus calls us to put God first (Matt 6:33).

I suspect it’s unlikely that our project will get off the ground unless together we decide to give sacrificially - the chart above (which is definitely not a pyramid scheme!) indicates the kind of sums we’re talking about.

Four figures seems like a lot of money, but little and often quickly adds up - £34 p/month for two years is over £1000 (after gift aid). That’s just £7.85 a week - less than two pints of beer!

Viewed another way:

• The average Brit spends over £1000 per year on holidays

• The average pet owner spends over £2000 annually on their furry friends

• The average household spends between £40-50 per month on streaming subscriptions!

Could we economise somewhere for a couple of years, pledging the difference to Making Jesus Known?

Maybe our thinking is back to front - let’s put Jesus first.

But second - our thinking may be upside down

Economics according to Jesus

When the people of Jesus’ day were pledging towards their building project, Jesus famously commented that one lady’s seemingly meagre contribution was more valuable than some of the fat cheques being written.

Natural economics says that we’re going to need cheques for four figures. But supernatural economics says that even the smallest contribution (in financial terms) can be more significant in the kingdom of heaven.

What an encouragement!

So whatever we’re able to pledge, let’s remember the greatest back-to-front upside-down pledge of all:

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty have become rich”
- 2 Corinthians 8:9

Charlie