Posted by Center for Stewardship Leaders on Friday, July 11, 2003 9:53 AM
My brother, David, is an outstanding stewardship leader. He has a very commendable record in helping people become generous.
I knew our parents were generous, but I didn't know how much they gave to church. He recently told a story about our dad, Harold Hoffman, who was a farmer near Storm Lake, Iowa.
--Jerry Hoffman
One day when I was quite young, my dad said, "I want you to go to town with me."
We went to Storm Lake and entered a tall, imposing three story building. It was a bank.
We were greeted by the bank president, Harry Schaller. Dad said, "Harry, I need $1,000 to get through the winter."
They shook hands and Harry had $1000 deposited in dad's checking account.
We went home and immediately dad sat down at the kitchen table and wrote out a check for $100 to Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta.
I was surprised. "Dad, why are you doing that? Don't we need the money?"
Dad replied, "Son, that's just the way your mom and I do things."
--Pastor David Hoffman
Author
Dr. David Hoffman is Senior Pastor at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Plymouth, MN.
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