“3FOR, AS I CAN TESTIFY, THEY VOLUNTARILY GAVE ACCORDING TO THEIR MEANS, AND EVEN BEYOND THEIR MEANS, 4BEGGING US EARNESTLY FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF SHARING IN THIS MINISTRY TO THE SAINTS – 5AND THIS, NOT MERELY AS WE EXPECTED; THEY GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD AND, BY THE WILL OF GOD, TO US.

6THE POINT IS THIS: THE ONE WHO SOWS SPARINGLY WILL ALSO REAP SPARINGLY, AND THE ONE WHO SOWS BOUNTIFULLY WILL ALSO REAP BOUNTIFULLY. 7EACH OF YOU MUST GIVE AS YOU HAVE MADE UP YOUR MIND, NOT RELUCTANTLY OR UNDER COMPULSION, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.” 2 Corinthians 8:3-5, 9:6-7

Growing up in a rural small town with a population of less than 300, our only stores were a gas station and the grocery store. As kids, we would pick out candy at the grocery store and say, “charge it,” which meant the grocery store clerk would write it on a piece of paper and tape it to the wall behind the cash register and our parents would pay for it when they bought groceries.

A few years ago, as a forty-year-old, I was back in my hometown. I needed a few things and found them at the grocery store. When I went to pay, the sales clerk asked how I would like to pay for it and I said, “charge it” and handed over a credit card. The clerk said, “We don’t take credit cards.” I didn’t have cash and there was no ATM. The clerk said, “No problem.” She taped the receipt to the wall behind cash register and said, “Your mom will pay for it when she comes in.”

While things at my hometown grocery store hadn’t changed, I realized I had changed. Money had changed. How people use, spend and view money had changed. Fewer people manage cash, more people use electronic means. Fewer people make purchases in person, more people purchase online.

What does this have to do with church? The EaND Synod Stewardship Team has been exploring the possibilities of alternative giving in a changing church culture of stewardship. What are the options? Why do options matter? What are the biblical and theological principles here? What is God up to?

As faithful stewards, may we voluntarily give according to our means, and even beyond our means, begging earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry. Giving intentionally, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

DEVOTIONJoy of Giving Pastor Joe Johnson Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Hillsboro4 ON THE ROAD

TOGETHERTraveling into the next 500 years

Eastern North Dakota SynodA NEW DEVOTION WILL BE AVAILABLE EACH MONTH SHARING MORE ABOUT SYNOD MINISTRIES AND THE WORK WE DO TOGETHER AS A CHURCH. VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES.WWW.EANDSYNOD.ORG /ENDSYNOD @EANDBISHOP