As the school year begins, so does the annual fund cycle. Employees have received an invitation asking them to contribute to Bethel. In addition to the way employees give every day to affect the lives of students, we also invite them to give financially, too. Given what many of our team members earn, they could justly say, “I already gave at the office.” But they don’t say that! Over the years, hundreds of Bethel employees have given to support our students and the cost of operating the university. Barb and I have been part of that group.

Let me tell you why we give:

First, we give because we have been blessed. What we have been given is a trust from God, not our own. At the Bethel Seminary St Paul commencement the theme was “blessed to be a blessing” to others. Out of a sense of gratefulness, we give.

Second, we give to advance the mission of a place we believe in. We see that lives are changed at Bethel as part of God’s agenda to change the world. We sometimes joke that in a bacon and eggs breakfast, the chicken is involved and the pig is committed. Sacrificial giving helps move us from involvement closer to commitment.

Third, we give to honor the sacrifice of others. For many families, a Bethel education comes at great sacrifice. In addition to working above and beyond the call of duty, they give as well. Many Bethel friends have given sacrificially to make Bethel what it is today. Bethel would not exist apart from the sacrifice of those who have gone before us or those who give now as part of tuition, the annual fund, and capital gifts. To us, it seems that it is part of our holy calling to give.

Fourth, we give to increase our joy. In Acts 20 we read a quote attributed to Jesus: “For it is more blessed to give than to receive.” There is a real joy in giving. God designed us to feel this joy. Part of being created in his image is feeling the joy of giving to others. Just as we feel joy when we invest our time and energy with a student, we can feel joy when we invest financially so that the operation of Bethel will help a student.

American Christians are not known for deep generosity as the recent book Passing the Plate by Christian Smith and Michael Emerson points out. I am glad for many counterexamples at Bethel!

Learn more:

• Employee Giving
• Office of Development