Christian giving?
Start here….
An old children’s song describes God’s resources quite graphically: “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine.” In Psalm 50:12 God Himself echoes this theme when he says that “the world is mine, and all that is in it.” God’s resources, in other words, are unlimited.
But many of us in church life forget that. In an age where sometimes out attitude to money as Christians makes God look hard-up and slightly stingy, we need remember God’s amazing generosity and goodness to us. The church is his bride. It is his gift to the world. No one wants to see a church appropriately resourced more than God does.
One of God’s greatest resources to His Church is the generosity of his people. When people give sacrificially. Unlike many organisations, Jesus taught his disciples not to value the biggest and most impressive gifts, but those which are most sacrificial. “Some give their mite, some give with all their might, and some don’t give who might.”
Our vision as a church is to see lives changed and transformed by the love and grace of God; “becoming like Jesus, bringing good news.” In God’s strength and with your help there is so much that we might be doing as a church these next months and years.
What does God say about money?
There are far more verses in the Bible about money than there are about things like faith or prayer. It is the second most talked about thing by Jesus. It is as if he wanted us to know that the way we handle our money has an important effect on our relationship with God. If we treat money God’s way, then we will enjoy a closer relationship with Him.
What are the benefits of giving?
There are sound reasons behind the Bible’s instruction to all believers to give. The apostle Paul lists some of them in 2 Corinthians 9:
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Generous giving brings great reward (v6)
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We experience God’s love and favour (v8)
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God’s grace is multiplied to us (v10)
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It results in praise to God (v11)
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People’s needs are met (v12)
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It creates gratitude (v15)
What are the principles of giving?
Again Paul gives helpful instruction on this issue. He sets out at least five principles for giving….:
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Regularly – ie at set times, weekly, monthly, yearly
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Individually – ie everyone is invited to participate
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Systematically – ie let giving be thoughtfully planned
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Locally – ie our primary commitment to the local church
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Joyfully – ie not reluctantly or with compulsion
It would be helpful to calculate for yourself exactly how much you give and then discover what that amount is as a percentage of your income. Many Christians say that 10% – “a tithe” – is a good starting point in our giving. Whatever sacrificial step of faith you make in giving, God will honour your willingness. If you currently give 5% of your income, ask God to give you the courage to increase that percentage to say 8%. If you already give 8% then perhaps God will give you faith to increase that to 10%.
Ultimately giving is part and parcel of our worship, love and gratitude to God. Giving is a means by which our faith is strengthened, and as we give, so we learn to trust God more.
What is the best way to give?
This will clearly depend on each person’s particular circumstances. There are a number of different ways to support God’s work at St Joseph’s, with most people giving cash or cheque through the numbered envelope scheme, or by standing order directly into the church’s bank account. Some also choose to include St Joseph’s in their will by way of a legacy.
If you are a UK taxpayer you can complete a Gift Aid Declaration Form which enables the church to reclaim 28p in every £1 of your donations. In 2006 we were able to claim back over £8,000 from the Gift Aid scheme. This is applicable to all gifts, regular or one-off, provided we can trace the donation and the Declaration Form has been completed.
