Principles For Shaping A Life Of Giving
A life pattern is the way a person structures his or her life. A pattern is built or drawn from the values that a person develops over time. These values come from many different sources including family, friends, culture, and God. When a person becomes a follower of Jesus they are discovering and entering a whole new understanding of reality. Our maturity involves a process of reorienting our perspectives and patterns.
The following are some of the key principles which shape a life of giving. Each of us is encouraged to sit down and truly reflect upon them. Consider how they speak to your life. Consider how you could begin to shape your life differently. Allow God to speak to you about the resources he has entrusted to you.
My giving recognizes that we are not defined by what we consume but by what we contribute.
“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” - Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
My giving reflects that my time, treasure, and talent ultimately comes from God who has entrusted me as a manager who will give account.
Our entire relationship to money and life’s possessions is one of being managers of what is not fundamentally ours…but has been extended to us to care for.
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” - Genesis 2:15
“The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord.”- Psalm 24:1
"Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” - Deut 8:18
A central point of Jesus’ teaching was that we are stewards who will give account. (Matthew 24:45-51; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27)
My giving recognizes God’s value for the fairness of giving in proportion to what I have received.
“ …. setting aside a tenth of all your produce… the sacred portion – Duet 26: 12-13
“On every Lord's Day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned and save it for this offering.” 1 Cor. 16:2 [NLT]
My giving from the first of my resources is an expression of the appropriate priority and trust involved.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Giving to God from the first of our earnings helps define the priority of God in our lives. If we give from what’s “left over”, it will be lost to the many other things that we can spend our resources on.
My giving regularly establishes a pattern in honoring God and supporting his ‘Body” (church) which I am a part.
‘On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.’ - 1 Corinthians 16:2
Rich Nathan’s suggestion seems fitting: “If you are paid weekly, give weekly. If you are paid monthly, write a check monthly. If you are given a bonus, then write a check on your bonus. If receive a financial gift, write a check on the gift. If you receive an inheritance, write a check on the inheritance. Generous people have developed a discipline of regular giving on all of their income. Generous people have developed giving as a way of life that transcends the ups and downs of their emotions.”
My giving begins with my communal responsibility
Our highly independent and consumeristic culture has drawn many to give to personal causes ahead of the communal ministry and mission of Christ’s Body (the church) which they are a part of. While we are encouraged to bear lives of personal compassion and generosity…the Scriptures emphasize communal life and responsibility.(Malachi 3:10, Acts 4:35, 37; 1 Cor. 16:2) Our ministry as the local “body of Christ” (church) on the Westside is supported by our personal commitments to give a regular proportion of our household income.
My giving to faithful hands reflects that I can give up control of my resources without giving up my conscience about the integrity of it’s use.
“We don't want anyone to find fault with the way we are administering this generous gift. We intend to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people.” - 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 (GW)
This is why the Governing Elders of the Westside Vineyard provide accountability and assessment in the use of all financial resources. They embrace their call to provide integrity and impact to what has been given to God and His purposes.
My giving flows from grace.
Just as you excel in everything else… see that you also excel in the grace of giving." 2 Cor 8:7
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7
God initiated the “law” of tithing and various offerings. Such rules teach us about our obligations …but they cannot in themselves create hearts that naturally give. Christ’s sacrifice for us…and then living in us…provides a means to give in response to grace. When we comprehend the grace that has saved us, our duty is joined by a desire to invest our lives and resources to help spread the grace of God. We are being restored as partners with God… who understand we are managers of all He provides.