Season of Giving or Getting?

12-18-2022Pastor's LetterFr. John Bonavitacola

Dear Friends,

Do you give to get? Do you give with the calculation you get something in return? Or do you give without expectation? Most of the world for most of history operated along the lines of tit-for-tat. You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.

Giving with no expectation of return was an alien concept for most of history. Christianity changed that. In fact, a new word had to be invented to describe the strange behavior of Christians, who were giving with no expectation in return. That word was charity. The motivation behind that was and is Jesus sacrificial gift of himself as well as His teachings on the use of mammon, money, summed up in that one line: “where you treasure is there your heart will be.” Almost 80% of Jesus teachings and parables deal with material possessions/money. He knew if you don’t get this straight, your spirituality will be like insipid salt.

Religiously inclined people, people who worship on a regular basis, regularly read the Bible are the most generous givers in our country. There are lots of studies to back that up. So, let’s pat ourselves on the back, right? No, we are just doing what we are supposed to do. As Jesus put it, to keep us humble when we are tempted to self-congratulations: “say we are useless servants, we have done no more than our duty.” Personally, I’d prefer a little more affirmation, but I get the point. The reward comes at the end. No use fishing through the box of Cracker Jacks to get the prize first.

The overall practice of charitable giving is very high in the US as opposed to other countries. The influence of Christianity helped create the world of Philanthropy that is still strong in our society. Still, most Americans are spontaneous and emotional givers. You see that sad commercial for abused animals and you are motivated to give. Or someone is at the intersection with a sign begging for help. That is fine as far as it goes. But it is much better to be a planned giver. This way you are not basing your giving on what’s currently in your checking account or your emotional reaction.

To be a planned giver means you need a plan! I suggest settling on a percentage, this way your giving is consistent and withstands cash flow issues and market volatility. So, if you give 10%, you can give 10% if your check book has $1000 or you can still give 10% if your checkbook only has $100. Now there are times of extraordinary giving, such as special onetime projects or capital campaigns. But I think you get the point.

Additionally, you can use two criteria to determine where to give. This way when you are hit up for a million good causes you can honestly decline by saying I already am committed to giving. The two criteria I suggest, are first: to give to what you are grateful for and secondly, to give to what breaks your heart. Hopefully, you are grateful for your faith and your Parish Church, but beyond that you might be grateful for the great Catholic education your received, so you give to support Catholic education in general or to a specific school. You might be grateful to St. Vincent de Paul because they helped you out when you were in a tight spot. You can create your own list.

What breaks your heart? Homeless Veterans, Wounded Warriors, drug addiction, abused children, victims of war, poverty? The list is long so decide first, to avoid being a one-time spontaneous giver and become a planned giver for the long run and by doing so have a long-term impact.

Finally, to start you on your way to being a planned giver, don’t forget to plan to give to your Parish. I am referring to Christmas this year specifically. This year since Christmas falls on a Sunday, you get a two for one. (And New Year’s is also a Sunday and normally a Holy Day of Obligation, so actually you get a 4 for 2!).

When our Parish Finance Council creates our Annual Budget, we budget for four Sundays in December plus Christmas. So, while you get a 2 for 1 on Mass, not so on the offering! Try to plan for giving the usual for the four Sundays of the month and a Christmas gift. Christmas falls on a Sunday every seven years or so and since I have been a Pastor I have or I should say, my parishioners have hit the target for both the Sunday collection and the Christmas collection. I am not sure if my ego can take not hitting the target this year. And most other Parishes, I can tell you won’t hit the target. But we can. This will help me stand above my fellow Pastors, which is want you want? Right!

I probably should go back and read the line about self-congratulations and being a servant who has done no more than his duty…

Love, Fr. John B.