That
awkward time during service when the idea of giving money is brought up...
You know,
that part of the service where the church asks for our money and it sorta seems
like they are guilting us into giving money to them.
In my
opinion, televangelists have not helped this because of their seemingly
constant asking for our money, but anyway.
Remember
that God has told us to help, to give a portion of what He has blessed us with
back to help further his work. But my own personal experience with giving has
gone in three seasons.
1.
I
will give, but not that much, just enough to look like I’m doing something, but
really, I’m not.
2.
I
will give obediently because I have been commanded to love the least of these.
3.
I
will give out of appreciation, not because I have to, but my gosh, the Lord has
given me so much, this is the least I can do.
2
Corinthians 9:6-7 “The point is this: 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.”
Don’t give if you will not do so cheerfully. If you
do not truly feel and appreciate all that God has done for you, do not give
back a portion of his blessing upon you.
You might be shocked to read that, but I believe
that. Thankfully, during my stubborn giving time my wife was more advanced in
her faith than I was. But our loving God wants a true relationship with us, he
wants genuine affection and genuine giving to further his work here on this
planet.
Luke
11:28 “He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the
word of God and obey it.”
Jesus commands us to love God and love people. To do
that in this world, money is a necessity. It isn’t the most important
necessity, but it is really close to it.
You cannot go, give, or help often without spending
some form of money.
So you hear/read that Jesus has told us to be a Good
Samaritan, then we must obey and help the church and other Christian
organizations by giving our funds to help more than just our little inner
circle.
Mark
12:41-44 “Jesus
sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd
putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large
amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,
worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly
I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They
all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in
everything—all she had to live on.”
The Lord
gifted me with life before I knew Him.
He gifted
me with Godly people that reached out to me before I knew Him.
He gifted
me with my wife who led me to Him.
He gifted
me my children, my job, my talents, my friends, my family, my house, my furniture,
my ability to enjoy life, to have my heart broken for what breaks his, for an
ability to communicate, for breath, for my heart beat, for my good times and
for my bad times.
He gifted
me everything; how could I not willingly and lovingly give back a portion of my
finances to show even an inkling of appreciation?
