Intentional Giving

Have you ever been to a fundraiser (car wash, auction, dinner, etc) where you contributed, but you did not know what cause was being supported?  It is easy to do, (a) you probably knew someone who was doing the fundraising, and you wanted to support them; or (b) whatever they were selling, you needed, so you helped the cause.  I hope it is a surprise to you, but I will guess it is not, but some people support the church in the same way.  When the offering plate comes around, we drop something in to avoid feeling guilty, or we have a generic desire to support “the church.”  While I thank you for the offering, we strive to be good stewards of the funds, I challenge you to find a particular ministry or two that you desire to see grow and support it.

“that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” 2 Corinthians 8:2-5

In this passage from the New Testament, please see the desire and fervency that the churches of Macedonia gave with.  We don’t find that these believers had full store houses, and gave out of their wealth.  Paul describes them “in a great trial of affliction,” and “their deep poverty.” Yet Paul says they gave in “abundance of their joy,” “freely willing,“ and “imploring us with much urgency.”  Do these phrases describe your giving?  I hope they do. 

In our offerings, we have two general types, designated and not.  The undesignated funds are what our church runs on, and support our ministries.  If no notes are made on the memo of a check, and cash is dropped in the plate, then this is where that money will go.  As a church 4% of this money is sent to the state to support statewide and national ministries, and 3% is designated for the international Lottie Moon Offering.  Another 3% is designated for our Youth ministries.  When you decide to place money in the plate, God desires a willing heart, and a cheerful giver.  If that does not describe your current giving habits, I exhort you to find ministries you desire to support, and give towards them.  When you give towards a ministry you care about, it will effect your prayers, and your service.  You will find ways to minister through prayer, work, and sacrificial giving.  If you will be intentional about your offerings and service towards God, don’t be surprised if God “opens the windows of heaven, and pours out an enormous blessing.”