Church Giving
| Church Giving |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Sunday, 08 August 2010 05:42 |
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Church Giving - Supporting Your Church Financially
Why is it important to give to my church? The Church of Jesus Christ is at the center of God’s plans for the world and God’s plan for your life. As a member of the church it is vital that you use your financial resources to build up the fellowship and support its mission to the world.
If Jesus Christ is truly “Lord of our lives,” giving to the local church will be a priority.
In 1 Corinthian 16 the apostle Paul speaks of setting aside money on the first day of the week according to the measure that we have been blessed. Is there a baseline that we might consider when discerning what we should give to the local church? In the Old Testament the baseline for giving was the tithe – literally ten percent of income. Although many Christian leaders don’t make the tithe a requirement (or a “Law”) for believers, it probably should be seen as a basic minimum for our giving. If under the Old Covenant giving ten percent of income was the norm, it seems logical that under the glorious new covenant of God’s grace in Christ that our giving should be at least the tithe.
This money is used for supporting leaders in ministry, providing other resources for building up the congregation and for ministry to the hurting and needy beyond.
Some important Bible texts:
The Story of the Rich Young Fool: (Mark 10:17ff)
This is a key passage. Jesus knew the young mans grip on money was keeping him from the Kingdom of God. If we are truly going to “take up our cross” and follow after Christ we need release our grip on money.
--- “Blessed is he that considers the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.” Psalm 41:1
--- “Remember the words of our Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
--- “To do good and to distribute forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16
--- “As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all people; especially unto them that are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
--- “He that soweth little shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. Let everyone do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:6-7
Thought: It has been said that our cheque book our true “statement of faith.” It has been suggested that instead of singing the doxology after receiving an offering we should say (holding up the offering plate),
“No matter what we say or do; this Lord is what we think of you.”
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