What is Giving?
Scripturally, we are to give of our time, talent and treasure. These are not mutually exclusive. Our Creator has blessed us with time, abilities and talents, and financial resources. Giving back in each of these areas is simply a recognition of our understanding that, without God’s blessing, we would have none of these! For purposes of this discussion, we will focus on the giving of our financial resources.
Why is Giving important?
We give to demonstrate where our heart is, our posture towards our Lord. Luke 12:34, Jesus says “For where your treasure is, there your heart is also.”
We give to support the work of the church – to reach the lost, to support our pastors, to care for the orphans and widows in our local church body, and to support God’s work globally.
How do we give?
We give cheerfully!
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Have you ever wondered what a “cheerful giver” is? At LifeWay, we believe that scripture teaches that everything we have comes from God and is God’s. (Romans 11:36, Psalm 24:1, 1 Chronicles 29:13-14). God blesses His people with gifts, talents and abilities to use for His glory and to generate income and wealth. We are called to steward His resources and always be willing and able to give generously (1 Timothy 6:17-21).
We give generously!
We believe Scripture provides a playbook for giving. The Old Testament tithe was literally the first (or best) tenth of your earnings – a crop, goods, or livestock (money was not a concept then!). This tenth was to be brought into the local “storehouse” (Malachi 3:10) or synagogue. Why? The tithe is used to support your local church body so that it can then, in turn, be a light to the community around it! But, we shouldn’t stop at the tithe – generosity as described in scripture can require everything. Think about the widow who gave her only two pennies to the church. Or Jesus’s command to the rich young ruler to sell EVERYTHING he had and follow Him. As followers of Jesus, we may or may not be called to give everything. But we are called to be generous – every one of us. Offerings over and above the tithe should be a regular occurrence among His people – gifts to LifeWay’s Faith Commitment Offering or to local mission’s organizations or to other humanitarian needs. Or directly to a brother or sister in financial distress.
When we are in the Father’s will, He will impress upon our hearts what to give. We need to be open and always ready to be generous. First to our local church and then to others as He calls. For God loves a cheerful giver.