Stewardship is one of those areas we
really struggle with as disciples of Jesus Christ. Of all the things
in our lives that we feel we have control over, money is one of the
big ones. Schools, careers, even spouses and children are decided
upon because of money. If you have a red-letter edition of the Bible
(yep, the one where Jesus' words are highlighted in red),
you can count it up and discover that nearly a third of everything
Jesus talked about had to do with our relationship to money. Not
only do we know finances are a big deal, God knows it as well!
As you are prayerfully considering how
God is calling you to use your finances as an instrument of his
Kingdom, consider these 6 Characteristics of a Biblical Giver
(adapted from Ask, Thank, Tell
by Charles Lane). Remember, the goal of stewardship is not
raising money, it is helping people grow in their relationship to
Jesus Christ. That is the heart and soul of our church.
#1 Intentional
When our boys and girls come up to
children's time during worship, it is completely appropriate for them
to search their pockets and see if they have something to give.
Scripture tells us we should 'give as we have made up our mind.'
That means prayerfully talking about how much we will give and then
living according to that plan.
#2 Regular
Scripture also tells us that the
practice of the early church was to put aside their gifts on Sunday,
so a special collection didn't have to be made when needs arose. In
the first century a worker was paid at the end of the day, so it made
sense to give weekly. Now a days to give regularly means to give
whenever and however we may receive we income (bi-weekly, monthly,
social security, commission, pay check, etc.). When we receive, we
also give, according to our intentional plan.
#3 Generous
Lane writes: “It is hard to imagine
anyone who is serious about discipleship giving one or two percent of
his or her income to God's work through the church. It is equally
difficult to imagine a tither who isn't serious about discipleship.”
One of the keys to o ur faith is that we believe God provides
'abundantly far more than we can hope or imagine.' We know we can't
be more generous than God, but we can be generous in our own giving.
Nationwide, the average church member gives just over 2.5% of their
after tax income. The average PCUSA member gives 1.5%. Perhaps
there's room for us to show people what generous means!
#4 First
In a nutshell, this means giving to God
first, off the top, and living on the rest. Biblically they called
this 'first-fruits giving.' The first of everything was given to
God. We no longer live in an agrarian society, but we do live in a
world that can suck a bank account dry in next to nothing flat.
'Wants' become 'needs' faster than you can say “iPhone 5!” I've
discovered this in my own life: If we don't give to God first, we
will short-change God every single time.
#5 Proportional
The Scriptural standard is to give as
we have received. Those who have much wealth are expected to give
proportionately. Those with little wealth are also expected to give
proportionately. To put it simply, proportional giving takes the
dollar amount out of the gift. For someone who has nothing, anything
is a significant gift to God. For someone who has great financial
resources, percentage giving suggests the significance is in
relation to their generosity, not in comparison to another person's
gift.
#6 Cheerful
2
Corinthians 9:7 reads, “God loves a cheerful giver.” The reason
for being a cheerful giver is found in the verse immediately
preceding and immediately following this one. The key to cheerful
giving is to practice the other five characteristics of stewardship
as part of our daily life dedicated to Jesus Christ.
You might not
believe me. You might not believe Chuck Lane. But give it a try!
Watch how God transforms your life.
The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of your must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
