Giving in action

Last week we talked about our tithing and our giving.  We looked at the examples in the bible about the firstborn, and the firstfruits, and how God tells us to bring them into the house of the Lord.  We learned that everything that comes into our lives is a result of the blessings of God, and when we give Him our tithe, our ‘firstfruit,’ we are acknowledging that fact. We are saying “God I understand that you have blessed me, and I am going to be obedient to give you the firstfruit from my wages.”  It is, in effect, an act of worship.  And God responds by promising us a blessing, that our needs will be met, that He will cover our lives!

We also talked about giving, and how our giving is over and above the tithe. That’s why giving is optional! But God promises us that if we give, He will “make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Cor 9:8)

Well this Sunday we are going to put our faith into action.  In the last several months we have had an increase in the number of requests for financial help.  These are not strangers, but people in our church.  Due to the number of requests, our Benevolence fund is tapped out!

So this Sunday we are going to take up an special offering – a gift for the saints in our body. The verses preceding 2 Cor 9:6-8 give the setting:

2 Cor 9:1-5
There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we-not to say anything about you-would be ashamed of having been so confident.  So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. (NIV)

Now remember, the gift is over and above the tithe.  Think about it, if a person reduces their tithe to give a gift, its like the old adage “robbing Peter to pay Paul”. 

If you cannot give, then please DON’T!  Really!  But pray that the Lord would bless you, and provide you with the means to give.  And if He does, then give!

2 Cor 9:6-8
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

See you Sunday!