Giving Back
“When you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4 From this and other scriptures, we can learn principles for guiding us in God-honoring giving.
First, genuine heart-giving is an investment with God. “ Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 (Also see 2 Corinthians 9:6.)
Second, Biblical giving is to be sacrificial. This is not determined by the amount, but rather by the proportion. Consider the widow and Jesus’ observation, “A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned’”. Mark 12:42-44
Third, Christ followers… regardless of income level… are to give as they are able. If you don’t give when resources are scarce, you won’t necessarily give when you’re prosperous. You might give a larger amount, but not a greater overall proportion. Jesus’ parable of the unrighteous steward teaches, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” Luke 16:10 God is unconcerned with how much you have to give, but with how much love is behind the gift. Love gives!
Three additional Biblical understandings come to mind.
First, financial giving correlates with spiritual blessings. God will not trust us with things of greater value if He can’t trust us with lesser things. Jesus asks, “If you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?”. Luke 16:11
Second, believers are to personally decide how to manage their giving. Our giving flows from a righteous heart, not artificially imposed percentages like checking a box. “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (Also see @ Corinthians 8:1-2; Philippians 4:15-18.)
Third, Christ followers feel a spiritual need to assist others! The fledgling Jerusalem church shared its resources quickly (See Acts 2:44-45), and Paul’s collections years later from Gentile churches met the ongoing needs of believers in Jerusalem. Christ followers help all people in need!
Think of personal examples from your own life where this “faithful in small things” idea proved itself true:
What have you promised you’d do if only you had a little more?
What has usually happened when your “more” became reality?
If you won lottery, would you give to a charity?
How do you go about deciding the amounts you give?
Are you satisfied that you’re being faithful to God in this?
Are you experiencing a high level of peace about your giving decisions?
Remember, giving is a show of your blessings and gratitude. This action when trusting Christ will bring you peace, joy and fulfillment.
Looking for giving opportunities at Church as Severn Run? Click here for serving opportunities and click here to contribute financially.
JG