This weekend, we’ll be receiving a special end-of-year offering called Gift for God. For the past few weeks, I’ve been asking everyone at church to prayerfullly considering what God might have them to give. I know that these are difficult times but, as I shared a couple of weeks ago, I feel like God is challenging us as a church to trust Him in this matter. He has repeatedly told me that “it’s time for the church to be the church!”
In all my years of being in the ministry I’ve never seen such spiritual hunger and I know that this is the time to actually reach out MORE. It’s not a time to back down or become timid. It’s a time to advance!
With all this in mind, I’d like to share a couple of tips about giving with you.
1. God Loves a Cheerful Giver
The Bible says that you should only give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be pressured or forced to give anything by any person. God, however, will direct you as to what to give.
You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Cor. 9:7-8 (NLT)
2. Everyone Can Give Something
Now you may be thinking that you have nothing to give, but that is a myth. The Bible says that everyone has something to give. One time, a very poor widow came and gave two mites. Mites were coins of very little value. Do you know what Jesus said when He saw her give her two pennies? Read the following verse.
Sitting across from the offering box, [Jesus] was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” Mark 12:41-44 (Msg)
Jesus said that she had given more than all the other people there that day put together! Why? Because she gave out of her need while everyone else gave out of their surplus. God may be asking you to give $5 or $5000 the amount isn’t really what’s important. The important thing is that you give what He directs you to give. Why? Because He wants you to trust Him with your money. He also wants you to give because He’s a giver and He wants us all to be more like Him.
Giving Prayer
You might want to pray the following prayer as you seek God about all this.
God, teach me how to trust you with my finances. Teach me how to be a cheerful giver. I thank you that you are so giving in every way. Please help me to grow in the grace of giving. God, please show me what you would like me to give. Please show me how you would like me to give.