Posts
Lord has been speaking to us and moving in us about giving over the last few weeks. We all have the desire to give as a church family, and to work together for His kingdom in that regard, yet we haven't been practicing it as a group for a while. So this week we will be listening to Jesus and when we come together next week we will share what kinds of causes and needs we each want to give to and try to formulate a basic plan for giving together.
I know that when we have given as a church in the past, it has helped me and my family to give more consistently, more generously, and more cheerfully. Accountability really helps when it comes to something like money.
It also helps with teaching the children and the newer believers among us the importance and joy of giving. Unless they see us doing it together, they may never learn the importance of giving.
Giving to the Lord helps us to be more responsible with what He has entrusted us with, helps us to rely more heavily upon Him alone, and helps us to be prepared to give when a real need arises among us. It helps free us from the taskmaster of money in our culture, and it reminds us constantly of why we are here: not for ourselves, but for the kingdom of God.
Let us not forget that God's agents on this earth are the poor, widows, fatherless, and his ministers who preach the gospel. If we want to give to God, thats who we give through. So let us wait on Him and trust that He will tell us where and how He wants us to give the resources we have as a church family. We should be ready and willing to give our time and energy (not just money) as well!
A few principles from scriptures to remember:
1. Honor the Lord with the first part of all your increase - Prov 3:9-10 - "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first part of everything your land produces. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine."
2. Prov. 19:17 - "He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord."
3. We will ultimately be judged by God regarding what support we gave to the hungry, thirsty, foreigners, sick, those in need of clothing, and those in prison - Mat. 25:31-46.
4. The early churches consistently gave to the poor, feeding them and including them in their love feasts - Luke 18:22, 1 Cor. 11:20-22, Gal. 2:10, Rom. 15:26.
5. Give and even more will be given back to you. We will reap what we sow. Luke 6:38, 2 Cor. 9:6, Gal. 6:7.
6. Those who are taught the Word of God should share everything they have with those who teach them. Ministers of the Word of God are meant to be supported by God's people - Gal. 6:6, 1 Cor. 9:11-14.
7. Each should give however much his Lord has laid on his heart, and there is no set amount required of believers to give. With that in mind, we should give generously and with a glad and thankful heart - 2 Cor. 9:7, Acts 4:32-35.
Looking prayerfully forward to the future and to our giving,
Sean
I know that when we have given as a church in the past, it has helped me and my family to give more consistently, more generously, and more cheerfully. Accountability really helps when it comes to something like money.
It also helps with teaching the children and the newer believers among us the importance and joy of giving. Unless they see us doing it together, they may never learn the importance of giving.
Giving to the Lord helps us to be more responsible with what He has entrusted us with, helps us to rely more heavily upon Him alone, and helps us to be prepared to give when a real need arises among us. It helps free us from the taskmaster of money in our culture, and it reminds us constantly of why we are here: not for ourselves, but for the kingdom of God.
Let us not forget that God's agents on this earth are the poor, widows, fatherless, and his ministers who preach the gospel. If we want to give to God, thats who we give through. So let us wait on Him and trust that He will tell us where and how He wants us to give the resources we have as a church family. We should be ready and willing to give our time and energy (not just money) as well!
A few principles from scriptures to remember:
1. Honor the Lord with the first part of all your increase - Prov 3:9-10 - "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first part of everything your land produces. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine."
2. Prov. 19:17 - "He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord."
3. We will ultimately be judged by God regarding what support we gave to the hungry, thirsty, foreigners, sick, those in need of clothing, and those in prison - Mat. 25:31-46.
4. The early churches consistently gave to the poor, feeding them and including them in their love feasts - Luke 18:22, 1 Cor. 11:20-22, Gal. 2:10, Rom. 15:26.
5. Give and even more will be given back to you. We will reap what we sow. Luke 6:38, 2 Cor. 9:6, Gal. 6:7.
6. Those who are taught the Word of God should share everything they have with those who teach them. Ministers of the Word of God are meant to be supported by God's people - Gal. 6:6, 1 Cor. 9:11-14.
7. Each should give however much his Lord has laid on his heart, and there is no set amount required of believers to give. With that in mind, we should give generously and with a glad and thankful heart - 2 Cor. 9:7, Acts 4:32-35.
Looking prayerfully forward to the future and to our giving,
Sean
No comments:
Post a Comment