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Gary G. Hoag
“Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”— 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
“In evaluating the importance and value of giving habits, it is important to recognize that individuals experience life in multiple cultural contexts that influence decisions involving money. In addition to a church context that promotes habits in giving, consumer culture promotes spending habits that often conflict with giving habits. When experiencing these simultaneous, competing habitual influences, which one will dominate and determine action?
The discourse and interview data from my research indicate that for many Christians, even those with established giving habits, reminders of Christian values related to giving can play an important role in motivating people to give. Churches should not seek to establish giving habits among members and expect them to continue automatically without ongoing reminders and encouragement through discourse, leadership examples, and other means.”
Philip A. Eubanks in "Live the Vision Church Culture: An Ethnographic Case Study and Theological Inquiry." PhD diss., Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (2024) 170.
Today marks the fifth of seven posts from the doctoral dissertation of my friend, Philip A. Eubanks. Click here to download his dissertation.
This section of his research relates to giving people opportunities to give. Why do this?
His research shows that giving opportunities demonstrate the importance of giving as part of our discipleship, they serve as on-ramps for people to grow in this grace, and they help shape and form the identity of God’s people.
Eubanks right notes that consumer culture does a great job bombarding us with opportunities to spend. And this turns us into consumers with spending habits.
But his research reveals how to turn the tide. By offering giving opportunities, churches can turn the proverbial tables on consumerism and helps foster giving habits.
Again, if you are an elder, pastor, or staff member of a church, you might benefit from exploring this section of his dissertation.
Regardless of your role, consider opportunities to give as exercises to help you grow spiritually and dismantle the power and influence of consumerism in your life.
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