Giving is a vital part of spiritual formation and growth.
It requires two things of us…
Faith |
Faithfulness |
| Giving is an active expression of our faith. It recognizes God as our True Provider and affirms our confidence in His ability to supply all we need. It’s an act of gratitude and dependence. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!” -Malachi 3:10 (NLT) As we listen to God’s voice and seek His will for our lives, His plan for giving will become obvious to each of us. In response, we can eagerly give, knowing that it pleases Him. Through our gifts, we prove faithful in the stewardship of all God has provided for us, while He blesses us beyond what we can imagine. |
Giving requires the highest standard of personal integrity and discipline. It is not a casual or occasional thing. In 2 Corinthians 8-9, the Bible teaches we are to give willingly, generously, and cheerfully. And our pattern should reflect a regular and systematic plan. “8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” -2 Corinthians 8-9 (ESV) |
