Give Generously and Gratefully
The first thing that is to be said is that God is loving and generous to us beyond imagining. Our very existence rests on the provision of God. And everything that we offer in life is a response to this great, loving benevolence of God. “We love because God first loved us …” “We give Thee but Thy own …” “Come taste and see how gracious the Lord is …”
In terms of our spiritual peace it comes when we close the circle of divine giving. And this means that we love God back through the offering of our time, talent and treasure.
As regards treasure, the giving of our resources is a clear and tangible key to discipleship. That’s why Jesus talked about money so much; He knew that “where your treasure is so is your heart also.” And the giving of our resources frees us to love and care in very concrete terms.
We encourage all Christians pursuing the spiritual path to give proportionately (a percentage given back according to how the Lord has blessed you), sacrificially (a gift of love, not ease), and with the tithe as the standard and goal toward which we move(10% of one’s whole living, the first fruit of our harvest given for the sake of God’s work and kingdom). When we set aside a portion of our personal harvest for God’s work we begin the spiritual work of prioritizing. “In my life I’m making a decision about what is important and God’s work is at the top.”
Start by evaluating what percentage of your gross income you are presently offering to the work of God through the Church. If it is 1% then determine that you are going to increase that percentage incrementally as you reach toward the title of 10%. Remember: It’s a percentage of what your income is, whether it increases or decreases. It is proportionate giving. 10% of nothing is nothing. But 10% of $100,000 is $10,000. It’s all relative. Give as you have prospered.
The amazing thing is that once we begin the discipline, the practice of Christian generosity, we discover the real joy that comes with being a steward of what God has provided. If there is pleasure in making money, in saving and investing it, there is even greater joy in giving it – as we close the circle of generosity, the circle that began with the generosity of God and is sustained in the same way.
Give Generously and Gratefully…
