Why Don't You?
- Why Don't You Talk About The Sermon? (1)
- Go on a short-term mission trip? (2)
- Serve On A Camp (3)
- Why don't you practise hospitality? (5)
- Why Don't You Sing Carols? (6)
- Why Don't You Give Generously? (7)
Our car had just failed its MOT. It had something to do with the brakes and would cost a lot. I was in Bible College at the time, already relying on the generosity of others. We could afford it, but it was going to sting. That’s when Kath and Simon* offered us a sum of money. I can’t remember exactly how much but it was almost enough to cover the bill.
We were so grateful, and yet we knew that Kath and Simon weren’t exactly well off themselves. They were a young couple involved in Christian ministry, preparing to plant a church. Though we tried to put them off, they insisted as they said they wanted to practise true sacrificial generosity.
Biblical patterns of giving
Before the time of Jesus, a pattern was set for God’s people to give back to God in proportion to what God gives to us. Various tithes and offerings ensured that, according to what God gives, his people are to give back to his work in this world. As the tithe was proportional, not a set amount, those who were poorer were neither excluded nor exploited in giving. The regularity of such giving enabled worship and care for the poor to remain constant instead of sporadic.
In the New Testament, generosity is the model for followers of Christ, particularly seen in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. Right at the heart of this commendation, Paul sets Jesus as the example for our generosity: from his rich position as God, he became poor, to benefit us in our spiritual poverty. The grace we have received in Jesus ought to provoke us to give from generous hearts that are full of joy.
The practice of generosity
A recent report by the Christian organisation, Stewardship, highlights that people who attend church give significantly more than those who don’t, but it also indicates that we could be more generous than we are. What can we do to ensure we are generous with our money?
Live with margins
As we’ve been experiencing cost of living increases, many of us have had to look carefully at our incomings and outgoings, trying to ensure we remain in the black as much as possible. What if your spending limit wasn’t close to the line between red and black, but significantly before that? Reducing our spending and having more margins would leave us room to be more generous with what God has given us. It may mean cutting back on luxuries or unsubscribing from some of our services, but it would also mean we could show greater generosity.
Give with regularity
When we give regularly, it becomes part of our lifestyle and is therefore something we will be more inclined towards. Though they are helpful, and I do encourage them, the danger with standing orders is that giving becomes passive and forgotten about. It is worth regularly reviewing these and even praying over your bank statements. Ensure that your church is taken care of as a priority and then give to whatever wider missions and ministries God has laid on your heart. They rely upon the steady regular income of generous members and partners.
Look with compassion
As was the case with Jesus, he was ready to be moved with compassion by people’s circumstances, and when moved, he responded. If we look, there will be opportunities to give even above what we give to our churches and other organisations. There will be people in your church who are struggling to make ends meet and one unexpected bill would be enough to tip the balance. There might be some who are keen to serve on a beach mission or camp, but just need that extra bit of cash to make it happen. It could be an unbelieving neighbour or friend who benefits from a surprise delivery of goodies. Pray and look with eyes of compassion for how God might use you to show his generosity to others.
*Names have been changed
