The Reasons We Give

This past week we saw a massive hurricane hit parts of Alabama, Florida and blow people’s homes away. Nothing is left but a debris field. Isn’t it a pity when people spend all their lives laying up treasures here on earth and then see it washed away to sea in a moment. That isn’t the case when we invest ourselves in God’s kingdom though.

Martin Luther once said, “I have tried to keep things in my hands and lost them all, but what I have given into God’s hands I still possess.”

Giving is about making an investment in kingdom work. God is working today and he wants you to join him. He has given you many gifts that he expects you to share and give in order to advance his kingdom. We are to be careful though not to do these things in order to be seen by men according to Matthew 6:1-4. Some people will only give when the spotlight is on them. They will give if they can have the building named after then, or the wing of the hospital or have their name on something. We aren’t to give in order to get attention for ourselves. We give because we love God and want to honor Him with what we have.

So, Giving is an act of worship. Have you ever thought about why we pass the plate around during the worship service? Why not just have people mail in their checks or something like that. It is because it is an act of worship. In Exodus 35:21-29 we see how Moses gathered the material needed to make the Holy Place and all the utensils, ark of the covenant and other items. The Lord stirred the people’s hearts to give and contribute to the work. v.21. So, all the people came and gave what they had for the work. The women who were skilled at making fabrics spun on the wheel and brought different fabrics. Every person who had something did so as God led them. This is called a freewill offering to the Lord. A freewill offering is just what it sounds like: it wasn’t something that was required, but it was a love gift for the Lord. They wanted to give what they had. It was an expression of love for them.

Finally, giving is acknowledges our role as a steward. We really don’t own anything that we have. You may believe you own your car or your house, but when you leave this earth, someone else gets it. You can’t really take it with you. God made man in the garden a steward of this earth and everything in it. That means that these things belong to God. He owns all things. He allows you and me to enjoy the earth and all that is in it for the duration of our lives. Then he calls you to account for how you used it. Have you been a good steward with what God has given you? How have you used what you have for the glory of God. Are you sowning and reapingly sparingly? Remember, God loves a cheerful giver. Giving is about sharing in God’s work. Giving is an act of worship. It is an expression of our love for Him. Giving acknowledges our role as a steward.