Services for Churches - Stewardship

Wesley and Giving

As founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley had explicit ideas about the role of financial giving as an expression of faith. Bishop Kenneth L. Carder (Mississippi Area) talks about Wesley’s theology of giving in the video, Wesley and Giving. The article reprinted here, which originally appeared in The Interpreter*, is based on Bishop Carder’s reflections in the video.

Interpreter: What did Wesley teach about money and giving?

Carder: In the mid-1780s, Wesley was concerned about the growing wealth of “the people called Methodist.” As riches increased, Wesley said, so did pride, anger and love of the world.

To Wesley, sharing material goods was a cornerstone of the Christian faith. His sermon, “The Use of Money,” is a helpful starting point. He admonishes Christians to:

”Earn all you can.” For Wesley, work was a means of participating in God’s creative, healing activity. As we earn all we can, we are to give ourselves to God’s mission to the world.
“Save all you can.” Wesley endorsed a simplified lifestyle. He could not justify acquiring luxuries while poor people lacked life’s necessities.
“Give all you can.” Wesley’s words confront us today: “Save all you can, by cutting off every expense which serves only to indulge foolish desire … waste nothing … then … give all you have to God.”

Interpreter: How are Wesley’s words and example relevant today?

Carder: Giving is rooted in God’s nature and expresses God’s grace: God’s love poured out to humanity through Jesus Christ. Love for God, therefore, involves giving to God and our neighbor.

Interpreter: How did Wesley show concern for the poor?

Carder: Wesley preached the Gospel to the poor, called them to conversion and nurtured them in class meetings. He also developed a free health clinic, a school, a sewing cooperative and a lending agency.

Interpreter: So you’re saying that giving to and associating with the poor has practical and spiritual implications?

Carder: Yes. Perhaps the 8.5 million United Methodists in the United States can be a catalyst for eliminating world poverty. But we must do more than appeal to humanitarianism. Our giving must be rooted theologically and missionally.

Interpreter: Then what is the Wesleyan theology of giving?

Carder: Here is the essence of it:

Giving is rooted in God’s very being. Life is grace, a free, unearned gift from God, who invites us to share.
Giving is indispensable to Christian discipleship. It is part of holy living. Wesley class meetings were organized as a way to collect money for the poor. As the money was distributed, it became apparent more than financial aid was needed. In response, class meetings became communities of grace in which people were loved and held accountable for holy living. Growth in discipleship inevitably includes growth in giving.
Giving includes more than the products (the money) of our labor. We also give by refusing to take from others what is necessary for their abundant life. Simplifying our lifestyles and preserving the earth’s resources are forms of giving in the Wesleyan tradition.
Giving involves friendship with the poor. To Wesley, regular visitation with the poor was essential for Christian discipleship. Renewal will come to The United Methodist Church when we welcome the poor into the church’s life.
Giving involves building communities of justice. Giving in the Wesleyan tradition goes beyond individual charity to building communities of interconnectedness, justice and compassion. Wesley made no distinction between delivering medical care and proclaiming the gospel.
Giving includes advocating on the behalf of the voiceless. Wesley spoke out against child labor, the inhumane treatment of prisoners, the slave trade and excessive interest charged to the poor.

Interpreter: Can you summarize Wesley’s beliefs and practices about giving?

Carder: Giving for Wesley was a way to express generosity, rooted in gratitude for God’s gifts and to fulfill the Great Commandment to love God and our neighbor. As Wesley said:

“Money is an excellent gift of God, answering the noblest ends. In the hands of his children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked … a means of health to the sick, of ease to them that are in pain. It may be as eyes to the blind, as feet to the lame …”

May we, the people called United Methodists, learn there is no Gospel without giving.

*Local churches and other United Methodist entities may reprint any materials from The Interpreter and Interpreter Online—except for items bearing a copyright notice—as long as the item is not for retail sale. For more information, visit the Interpreter Online website.