|
Giving is one of the central themes in the Bible. Jesus talked more about this subject than heaven, hell, or prayer. To understand what it means to be a Christ-follower, we must also understand what it means to be a giver.
First Things First…
God doesn’t need our money; He already owns it all. But when we willingly set aside the first part of our income for the local church, our hearts will be turned toward Him. (Matthew 6:21)
Know Giving, Know Life…
Giving is the antidote for materialism. The Bible says that by giving generously we are able to “take hold of the life that is truly life.” You aren’t really living unless you are freely giving. (1 Timothy 6:19)
The Treasure Test…
Giving is the only area in the Bible where God invites us to test Him. Give your tithe (the first 10% of your income) to God and see if He does not open the floodgates of heaven to belss you in ways that you never dreamed possible. (Malachi 3:10)
An Eternal Investment…
Even when the stock market’s down, you can make an investment that pays dividends for a lifetime and beyond. Only two things will last forever: People and the Church. By investing in the life-changing message of the Church, you can leverage your money for eternity. (1 Timothy 6:7) It’s o.k. to enjoy the blessings God has given you—you don’t need to feel guilty about them. But we are commanded to be generous and to be willing to share. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life but what we give. As missional Christians, we need to model that balance.“Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:18) |
