five lessons on giving

1. God our Father is generous

“What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Cor 4:7

The God who owns everything has modelled generosity to us in earthly blessings but especially in giving His greatest gift – His Son the Lord Jesus Christ for our eternal life.

We are very blessed receivers – not only in eternal things through Jesus but also in earthly things. First, let's be thankful to God because when we start to count these blessings it is impossible to measure what we've received. Second, let's be like our Heavenly Father because generosity is to be one of those areas where we should show the family likeness.

2. Every Christian is to give

“… each one of you should set aside a sum of money” 1 Cor 16:2

Each one of us has been blessed by God and each one of us will account for our priorities – so whether you are young or old, new or longtime in Christ … be a giver.

Our work at St Thomas' and beyond will be well supplied if everyone plays their faithful part. We don't need our generous givers to start being generous – we need our 'not yet organised' people to start being generous givers! If the "people who are giving" rises to 100%, we will be amazed at how much can be done in the name of Jesus Christ and our budget will be met. Please play your part if you are His follower.

3. We are stewards not owners

“… put this money to work, He said” Luke 19:13

Nothing can be held onto forever and everything we have has been given and entrusted to us. Wise Christians make their resources available to the Lord’s service.

What this means is that God entrusts resources to us for our personal use and wider use – we don't actually own anything! Everything slips through our hands eventually except the riches of knowing Jesus. Since we have money to spend freely let's be wise enough to make sure that before our earthly obligations are covered we have put some aside for eternal benefit to others and our offertory is a key way to do that. We will one day give account for our stewardship and be rewarded. Remember you are a steward not an owner.

4. Giving should be proportional

“… a sum of money in keeping with his income” 1 Cor 16:2

The New Testament never suggests a fixed percentage for giving, but God expects us to be generous and sacrificial whether the widow with a few coins or the rich man with his plenty.

This means that your net pay – whether it is $10 weekly pocket money or $1000 a day salary should give you opportunity to return something to God's service – in weekly giving – even 5 cents if you earn $10, and a large pay allows some to give hundreds of dollars each week. The New Testament does not repeat the Old Testament principle of a tenth – because an outward law is replaced with an inward Spirit of wisdom and generosity. So work out your contribution before God – and remember your heavenly Father (said Jesus) "who sees what is done in secret will reward you".

5. Gospel support is our priority

“… the Day will bring it to light” 1 Cor 4:13

Of all the options for our spending Christians are conscious that the gospel alone helps people to eternal life and so we must give to gospel work – only believers will see its priority.

What this means is that since we know the gospel message is crucial in order that people be saved we need to support it. There are many causes pushing for our attention but only the Christian with eternal perspective will say 'yes' to gospel work and 'no' to other things. If we don't support the gospel who will? And if a cause has no gospel think twice about supporting it. As the text says of ministries "the Day will bring it to light" and we can do lasting good with gospel giving. Please do.