(NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D “Come, Thou
Fount of Every Blessing,” PH# 356)
Giving God, we pause and wonder:
What would happen if we tithed —
If we gave our gifts, Creator,
Hearts and hands all opened wide?
We might learn, by gladly sharing,
Not to trust in things we own
But to risk– it’s part of caring–
And to trust in you alone.
We could do abundant mission,
Sharing Christ who claims and frees.
We could reach out with new vision
In creative ministries.
No more bound by limitations
Of what churches can’t afford,
We could learn with jubilation
Whole new ways to serve you, Lord.
Humbly on your strength relying,
We could build a thousand schools;
We could feed a million orphans
And give countless farmers tools.
As we gladly shared your blessings,
Then the world might want to know:
“See! How loving are those Christians!
Who’s the One who makes them so?”
God, we know we cannot pay you
For your love in Christ your Son.
Gifts and tithes are just a “thank you”–
Ways to pass your blessings on.
We have learned that, in our sharing,
We receive more than we give.
By your Spirit, make us daring
In this joyful way to live.
Tune: Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, 1813
Text: Copyright © 2005 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the co-pastor of the Limestone Church in Wilmington, Del., and the author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today’s Worship (Geneva Press, 2000). A complete list of her hymns can be found at https://firstpresby.org/hymnlist.htm.
