Giving God, We Pause and Wonder
NETTLETON (8.7.8.7 D) ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing")
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.
Biblical References: Malachi 3:8-10; Romans 15:25-26; 1 John 4:7-8
Tune: John Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music, 1813 ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing")
Text: Copyright © 2005 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Copied from Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009).
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net
New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/
See Stewardship Hymns
for a list of other helpful hymns with stewardship themes.
Hymn Use Permission:
Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor
by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009)
includes a permission note for those who own this book to use this hymn
(along with the 76 other new hymns in the book) in their local church's
worship services. People who do not own Songs of Grace are asked
to contact Carolyn (bcgillette@comcast.net)
for permission to use the hymn and to get a copy of the hymn formatted
for worship bulletin use.
