Church Family,

During October, we will be focusing on the grace of giving as a church family. Each Sunday, before the pastoral prayer, I will briefly highlight a biblical motive and practical idea for giving. We will then pray as a church, entreating the Lord to stir our hearts as disciples to use money for his glory and our good.

We have a special gift for each family this Sunday: Why Should I Give to My Church? By Jamie Dunlop. This short booklet is filled with biblical, practical wisdom about giving. I encourage every member to read this booklet by the end of the month.

Dunlop urges us to ask the question: Why do we give to our church? Two words typically come to mind: need and obligation. We understand that the church needs financial resources to accomplish good things. We also know we are supposed to—every member promises this in our church covenant. However, the New Testament provides us with richer, deeper, and more compelling motives for giving beyond need and obligation.

Paul tells us, “If I give way all I have… but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor 13:3). Amazing! In the Lord’s eyes, the value of the gift does not come from how badly it’s needed, but whether love motivates my giving.

Again, Paul writes, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). The Cancer Society and politicians do not care why you give. But God does. It is the cheerful giver that pleases him.

So rather than give based merely on need and obligation, the Bible invites disciples of Jesus to give from higher motives because 1) the loves of our heart reveal our real treasure, 2) our reward depends on it, and 3) for God's glory. Handling money is a vital area of our discipleship.

Over this next month, I invite you to pray, read, and grow in the grace of giving. Whether you are a consistent giver or not, we all can benefit from learning about biblical motives for giving to our church.

Giving with you … for His Glory,

Pastor Thomas