_____________________Tuesday, October 10, 2006__________________
On Money Matters As I shared with everyone just now, Sopphia's pastor's story is a very good illustration of the biblical basis of giving. (If you don't remember the story, please go ask your fellow ECFer. Heh.) I also asked all of you to name one good thing that God has given to you. Many of you mentioned salvation, yes, a gift so precious and yet so free. Some of you shared of other good things (if you haven't noticed, God gives good things to us in abundance), for example, Lionel and his upcoming marriage, Michelle and her family, Joshua and his coming to NUS. God is an altruistic God i.e., He gives freely to us without asking anything in return, and He won't mind how we spend the blessings that He has given to us. But imagine how God will feel if we give what He has given us to further His kingdom (like how the pastor treasures what his daughter has given him)! I also understand if any of you have financial difficulties, especially the international students (I, being one of them and totally struggling with $$). Maybe you would like to turn to the following passage on the bible: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. ... If you can feel the Spirit stirring within your heart, do not hesitate and ask me for a pledge card now! Luv, Mel
I was very encouraged by the fact that everyone took a pledge card (all 10 of you) today, not grudgingly, but with smiles.
If by now you do not have a pledge card or wish to find out more about pledging in VCF, read on:
One of the things that is non-compulsory but nevertheless important part of a VCFer's life is pledging. It is the personal committment made by each VCFer to set aside a sum of money to give to VCF. Seniors commence their pledges from the month of July onward till the month of April the following year. Freshmen commence their pledges from August onward.
Where does the money go to?
(1) The FHS (Faculties, Halls and Standing Committees) budget. Since VCF is student-initiated, we fund all activities out of our own pockets. Grants are distributed to the individual FHS to cover their entire year's expenditures (incurred in running their various programmes and activities). For example, ECF was given a grant of around $300 for the academic year 06/07. This is how we have $$ to buy stuff like refreshments for Welcome Supper, materials for our outreach events, publicity...where else did you think the $$ came from? It would be wonderful if it just dropped from heaven though...
(2) Supporting our staffworkers. VCF is a member of FES (Fellowship of Evanglical Students), which provide us with staffworkers. VCF pledges to FES in recognition and support of their contributions toward the student ministries on other campuses and in our own.
(3) Overseas Mission Work: The Mongolian Ministry. If you would turn to the last few pages of your bright orange CG booklet, a write-up on the ministry is provided for your reading pleasure. VCF gives about $5,000 a year in support of this ministry.
How much should we give?
As your heart leads. There is no minimum or maximum amount, but VCF recommends a guideline of $15. Why $15? This takes into account VCF's total estimated expenditure for the year and our current projected membership. You do the math. You can also do the math on how to save up $15 every month. As we have discussed just now, it equates to going to Fong Seng only 3 times less per month. If you are not willing to forsake your fellowship with the other Eusoffians, you may also try to save $0.50 a day, which means you can buy fruit juice instead of your usual latte, right? Drinking too much coffee is bad for you anyways. Heh.
Who collects the $$ from me?
Yours truly. Pledge collection will take place on the first week of every month, preferably during CG. As for now, all of you have to pass me your pledges (Seniors-4 months worth and freshmen-3 months worth) to me by Thursday, 12th October. This is because VCF has a corporate bank account and there is a minimum sum of $3000 that needs to be in the account, otherwise they will start deducting $30 every month. As it is, we are way under $3000 for the month due to AnnTic needing to pay off the deposits for accommodation and transport etc. (If you don't know by now, AnnTic stands for Annual Teach-In Camp, please sign up to get early bird discount!)
Without the pledges coming in, the bank will keep deducting $30 every month when the amount is under $3000, which is an unwise use of VCFer's money. I will be handing the $$ to VCF's treasurer, Weili, on Friday, so please get your pledges to me by Thursday night!
So...?