The Loop

Why do we give? What is it about the giving of ourselves, be it our time, our money or our resources that is biblical? It is no accident that Jesus talks about money repeatedly throughout the New Testament. He knows that living in this world can lead us to put our hope in the things of this world, not in Him. The pursuit of money and all the things that money can buy are not the purposes of this life. So, working through this tough and often awkward subject, we wanted to share these five reasons that we give, without reason and without reservation. 

To Exemplify a Christ-like Attitude

As Christians, we believe that God is the creator of all things; He is the giver of every good and perfect gift – James 1:17. We know that God gave His perfect son for us because He loves us. This is how we know what love is; how we know what it means to give selflessly. We serve a generous God who sets the example for us to be generous with each other. When we joyfully give and are generous with all that we have, we are becoming more like Christ. Through generosity, we bring hope to others that desperately need it, showing them what it is like to be loved by God. “You must decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ ” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT), so give freely and from your heart, not from obligation. Fix your eyes on Jesus and He will guide you through loving others.

An Opportunity to Walk in Faith

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV). God wants to make you rich in faith so that you can give generously to others. The Bible says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” – Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT). We are called to give back to God in gratitude and as a demonstration of our FAITH in His promises. God will bless you for your obedience and faith and will provide all you need. If you aren’t giving to God, start this week. See it as a step of faith, a concrete way to show God you believe in His promises.

 To Finance our Local Church

The local church is a connection point for Christian living. Churches are still one of the first places people turn to in their time of need and as a result, the local church can clearly identify those needs. We give to support this meaningful work, be it prayer during a family crisis, a hospital visit before a major medical procedure, or financial assistance to keep the lights on at home during a rough life season, it all matters. Money is a necessary resource for the success of ministering to our community. Church, like most organizations, has a give-and-take aspect. If you’re fed on Sunday mornings, pastored through a crisis, or attend a dinner, you are benefitting from your church. And this is a good thing! But recognize that these things cannot happen without financial giving. The reality is that supporting the church through your tithe is returning to God what is His. 

To Be a Good Steward

Stewardship is the use of our resources, the ones God has entrusted to us, to glorify Him. The way we allocate our time, effort and money speaks volumes about our heart’s priorities. It’s like looking through a window into our spiritual maturity. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 (NIV) “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” In other words, we will always spend our money, our time, and our resources on the things our hearts treasure. God owns everything. We are simply servants acting on His behalf here on earth. Stewardship expresses our obedience of everything God has placed under our control; it’s a commitment of ourselves and our possessions to God’s service. One of the realities of poor stewardship is that we are guilty of robbing God, but we also rob ourselves of the joy of giving and the blessing that follow from it. The Bible shows us that faithful stewards who do God’s will with God’s resources can expect to be rewarded incompletely in this life, but fully in the next. 

To Combat Materialism and Experience True Blessings from God

Jesus warns the rich to not be proud and put trust in their money for it will soon be gone. “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless-like chasing the wind.”-Eccl 6:9 (NLT). We should give happily and always be ready to share with others. A preoccupation with earthly treasures makes little sense as a Christian. Investments in the kingdom of God are far more profitable. They are certain and the benefits last forever. Earthly treasures are short-lived and dangerous, as they pull us from our focus on Christ first. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” Hebrews 13:5a (NIV).

If you have any questions or would like to talk more about giving and what it means for you and your family, please visit us at http://www.kingswaychurch.org/explore/give/ or call us at 317.272.2222. 

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