Give

Give Generously 

As Paul encouraged the church in the city of Corinth, he shared how generous the churches were in giving.  He says, “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability”. (2 Cor. 8:3). He then follows up his encouragements by saying, “Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously”. (2 Cor. 9:6) Instead of prescribing a certain amount or percent, the New Testament churches were simply encouraged to give generously.

Give Consistently

One goal of giving is to realign the giver’s heart to the things of God, over the things of this world.  It’s a declaration that God is first in our lives, before anything else. In order for this declaration to be effective, one should give consistently. In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he writes, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income” (1 Cor. 16:2). The church was encouraged to set aside an amount of money to give each week.  The goal is not for this to be a new rule every church goer must follow, but a general principle to encourage consistent giving.

​Give Joyfully

If God desires a person’s heart, then the heart with which a person gives matters.  Paul again writes, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”.   (2 Cor. 9:7)  Paul notes that giving should not be done “reluctantly or under compulsion”.  Another version of text says, “grudgingly”.  Instead, the follower of Jesus should joyfully engage in giving.