Back to the Basics: Giving

I believe this will be the last post for the Back to the Basics series. If you missed any of them, you can go here: http://ayouthpastorswife.blogspot.com/search/label/Back%20to%20the%20Basics%20Series, and check it out! The reason this series is called back to the basics, is because the topics are a little on the 'no duh' side. We all know to pray, go to church, and we all know to give! There are a few things that are important to realize when giving, like:

Nothing belongs to us!

When you get your paycheck, it's hard to see part of it go, when you can think of all the things you could buy with it. When the church has a work day on Saturday, it's hard to give it up, when you can think of all the things you could do with that day. Why is it so hard? It may be because as humans we love to be in control and in ownership of our own lives, time and money. As Christians we have no reason to worry, since God is in control and knows what's best for our lives, but we do, and I think it's because we are grasping at having control. What we have to realize, is that it's not our life, our time, or our money to begin with (Psalm 24:1, James 1:17), it's God's. When we give up our time and money, we are only giving back what is already His.

Do I have to give money?

One time the missionary at the church I was attending, was teaching on tithes and offerings, and was stressing the importance of giving God at least 10% of what we are paid. A lady that was not very well to do raised her hand and asked that if she didn't have very much money, couldn't she just wait and give when she did have money? His answer was thought provoking, if your employer told you, I don't have enough money for your salary this month, can I just pay you when I have enough money? It may be difficult, but if we are given money, it's God's and the best thing we can do is to give some back to him!(Matt. 6:19-21) Especially in America, money takes prominence in everything. It is our god, our idol, and in the verses in Matthew 6, it shows us that whatever we make our treasure, there our hearts will be(Matt. 6:24). If God is our treasure, then we will give to back to Him to show where our treasure lies. This is why that just giving time, or just giving your talent (although good things to give!) is not enough(Prov. 3:9-10).

God loves a cheerful giver

That phrase comes from this verse: Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
This verse is pretty self explanatory, and when we give cheerfully, God will bless us(Luke 6:38)! It may not be exactly in our time frame, and maybe not even until we get to Heaven, but He will bless us. When I give cheerfully, I see God work in my life, and I have seen him bless me so much. The blessings might not always be immediate, but you will be so glad you obeyed God and gave back to Him.

If you give to your church and missionaries, you can be a part of what God is doing through them! Who knows who might come to know Christ because you decided to give!