Stew Ward’s Perspective Why do I give? I give because it’s the right thing to do. Jesus was baptized, because it was the right thing to do. He set the example for us to do the right thing (Matthew 3:15). Way back, in the time of Abram, there must have been a tradition set for giving. He gave one-tenth of the spoils of battle to the King of Salem. It was the right thing to do. When we get to the times of Moses, God had him set-up one-tenth as the rule for giving to support the tent-of-meeting, the priests and the Levites who took care of things. Jesus praised the widow’s giving of all that she had. We don’t know whether it was her total means for living or all that she had for giving. Most of us can understand having little to give. We live from wages, allowances, pensions or Social Security. At the end of a pay period, there is little if any amount leftover. If we wait until then to give, it may be little more than some loose change. I look at it this way, from my perspective. My income is fixed, much the same each year. I pledge to give at least ten percent of my gross income, because I believe it’s the right thing to do. Perhaps you may not have the certainty of a fixed income, but you still may want to try giving in this way. In doing so, God promises that we will be blessed abundantly. God says, “Bring the whole tithe (10%) into the storehouse so there might be food in my house. Please test me in this, see whether I do not open all the windows of the heavens for you and empty out a blessing until there is enough” (Malachi 3:10). New Covenant United Church of Christ is the congregation I chose to join. As a member, I have the obligation to support the church. I have put NCUCC in my will. It is my hope that this building will continue to be the home of this congregation and the work it supports. Hopefully doing the right thing, a member of New Covenant, writing on behalf of the Stewardship Team of the Church Vitality Committee.