Discipleship and the people called Methodists - BEH District

Methodist classes was the need to raise money for the chapel. John Wesley had
bought the New Room in Bristol, taking a sizeable debt upon himself. So had other
Methodist preachers, and in 74 the leaders of several societies met to find
a way to meet the building debts, the increasing costs of a growing movement.
It was suggested that each member of a society be asked to give a penny a
week for this purpose. However since the vast majority of Methodists were poor
it was recognised that some would be unable to contribute. So it was decided
that each class would have a leader who would take responsibility for visiting the
members and collecting their contributions. The class leaders would also commit
themselves to making up any shortfall when poor members couldn’t give, even
though many were themselves of modest means. This was agreed and serves as
another ‘strand’ leading to the arrival of the Methodist class system. The fact that
money and the costs of buildings are so closely connected to Christian discipleship
and the spiritual practice of giving is worth noting as another moving and intensely
practical example of ‘looking after each other in love’ within a disciple-making
movement.
What was stated above about Methodists from other parts of the world and
fasting could also be said about tithing (the spiritual practice of giving the first part
of your money – tithe means a tenth – ‘back to God’ and be willing to live gladly
on what is left). While many British Methodists are ‘good givers’ tithing doesn’t
appear to be as common among us as for other parts of the Methodist ‘family’, or
for several other Christian groupings. Though some of us squeal at the theology,
our brothers and sisters in Christ sometimes suggest that we are as ‘poor’ as we
are, in terms of spiritual passion, life and hope, because we do not ‘give’.
‘Every home a church. Every church a mission. Every member a tither.’ A
statement of the Methodist Church in Brazil. What do you make of it?
While the society Rules don’t mention ‘giving’ they do instruct Methodist disciples
not to ‘lay up treasure on earth’. This plainly refers to Jesus’ teaching:
‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store
up… treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there
your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6: 9- )
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