This is not a begging letter, it is an invitation to grow. A Generous heart is a fundamental feature of Christlikeness and therefore it is central to our discipleship. Learning to give, big-hearted and God-guided is not about what we want to extract from you but what we all should desire for you (and me!) as we grow in Christ.
This weekend brings our gift day and with it a chance to stretch our generosity muscles, grow in faith and invest in the kingdom of God.
Giving is a tool to break the grip of avarice and the fear of poverty from our lives. It takes time and energy, but it frees us from the empty quest for the little bit more that promises satisfaction and the fearful worry that we will lose what we have.
So, why is giving important?
Simply because our money and our hearts are deeply entangled.
Jesus said:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21
What we value gaining above all or fear losing most will captivate our hearts. Generosity then is a great tool in the hands of the Spirit to break our fear of loss or our compulsion for the security of that little bit more.
Giving also enables things to happen in the kingdom of God. Scripture invites us to invest what we have: time, talent and treasure in that which is lasting.
2 Cor 9 :6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
So, consider this your personal invitation to enter into a culture of generosity. It may mean a lifetime of little steps, some very difficult indeed, nevertheless any investment in the kingdom of God will bear fruit that will last. And giving is for the so called “have nots” as well as the “haves”. In God’s economy we all have wealth of multiple kinds to offer. Paul’s sees his financial request of the baby gentile churches in 2 Cor 8,9 for the impoverished Judean mother church as kicking off a virtuous cycle of gift giving. The churches’ generosity of heart and wallet create a circular economy where financial wealth and spiritual riches are traded and shared. As commodities of wisdom and wealth are exchanged with spiritual gifts and personal visits so the whole network is strengthened and mission and church extension flourishes.
Giving is good for you, me, us and the extension of the good news of the gospel. So, whether you are giving to this project, giving to our ongoing general budget (please don’t forget this!) or giving to another church or Christian mission here are some great biblical principles for us all from 2 Corinthians chapters 8,9.
Give proportionately – out of what you have.
Give regularly- set aside a regular amount for the local Christian community and organisations.
Give freely – decide before the Lord and don’t be coerced or manipulated.
Give strategically – seek the lord about how much, and to what you give.
Give sacrificially – stretch until you feel the pinch.
And give cheerfully.
“God loves a cheerful giver”. As you will probably know Paul uses the word from which we get “hilarious“ here. That doesn’t mean dissolving into uncontrollable laughter when you look at an offering bag or bank account but that we give from a joyful heart.
Perhaps a smile is not too much to ask?
So, join me in joyful giving this weekend – you know it’s good for you.
Check out instructions on the QP update.
Iain