7 Habits: Giving Sacrificially

It is often a topic many hope their pastor will never address.  After all, although money is a universal pursuit among humanity, it is rarely talked about in polite conversation.   But here in the simple truth:  giving sacrificially to the work of the Kingdom is simply a normal part of the Christian life.  And anything that is a normal part of the Christian life must be talked about.  Sins must be rebuked and forgiven.  Exhortations to faithful living are certainly appropriate.

Again, the case for giving can simply be made from appealing to the commands of God.  Ultimately, giving to support the work of the kingdom is rooted deeply in the first commandment.  It is one way in which it is manifested that nothing is before God in one’s life.  As Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  We all naturally invest in all sorts of thing we value in life.  And chief among these should be God’s work here on earth through his Church.

And so God commanded his people of old, “Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” (Malachi 3:10)  While the the command to tithe was specific to God’s people living in Israel, certainly one could argue that those living in full understanding of God’s goodness living after the sending of Jesus should not be found giving less than the people of old who lived with only the promise and not the fulfillment.  But again, no one is truly moved to living a life of cheerful giving simply because there is a demand to do so.

So where does true cheerful and sacrificial giving to the work of the Kingdom find it true source?  Only in one simple conviction:  God will provide.  It flows from this truth: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).  It is a truth that Abraham celebrated when a ram was provided in place of Isaac.  “So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."

Cheerful giving flow from the firm conviction of faith given by the Spirit that God has given and that God will give.  One gives a portion of what has been given back to God in his church in full confidence that God is not done giving.  He never is.  One cannot ever give more than God.  So give sacrificially to the work of the kingdom by giving cheerfully in your congregation.   You will not have want.  In fact, God has promised to  open up the windows of heaven to those who proceed in line with the conviction of their faith.  Through your giving, the found will be feed, the lost will be sought, and the kingdom of God will comes among us and our community in many and varied ways.

Giving Sacrificially is just what the people of God do.  They give knowing that God will always provide more.  It is a habit of those made holy by Jesus.

This post is part of a series called Seven Excellent Habits.