What’s the big deal about giving?

Why is it that at least once a year a pastor needs to preach on giving, and that’s not often enough?

What is the big deal about giving, anyway?

Let me answer that with the story of a preacher who announced from the pulpit one Sunday morning, “I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to retire the mortgage on the church building.”

A sigh of relief went through the congregation.

The preacher continued: “The bad news is, the money is still in your pockets.”

God’s way of providing for the needs of the church and others is to bless us so that we can be a blessing to others. The Apostle Paul describes this concept like this …

“For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving — the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 9:10-13.

God hasn’t stopped performing miracles. But instead of providing manna and quail and clothes that can last 40 years, He more often meets our needs through how He blesses all of us. God blesses us so that we can give generously to meet the ministry needs of the church and to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We talk about giving in the church because the money needed for the church to function, and the money needed to help others who are in need, is still in our pockets.

Do you use the blessings you receive from God to be a blessing to others?

Scotty