The importance of giving
Published 8:42 am Friday, June 7, 2019
BY GREG MILLER
Madge and her husband, Mark, enjoyed giving their time, talent and treasure to God.
“Jesus gave His life on the Cross so we could spend eternity with him,” Mark said. “The least we can do is invest our resources in a way that will ensure God will receive a wonderful return on His investment.”
“That’s right,” Madge smiled. “God sent Jesus down to earth to secure eternal life for us. We can never buy the salvation that Jesus bled and died to secure for us. But we can give of our financial resources, use our talents for His glory and make sure our time is spent bringing honor and glory to Him.”
Pastor Max asked Mark and Madge to teach a class on the responsibility and rewards of giving. “The class will be held on a weekly basis for six months,” said Pastor Max. “If the response is favorable, and if you’re willing, we could possibly make the weekly class available on a permanent basis.”
The initial class was limited to 20 people. “We want to minister one on one with each person as much as possible,” said Madge.
“The Apostle Paul knew the importance of giving,” said Pastor Max.
“And the importance of giving with the right attitude,” said Mark.
“That’s right,” said Madge. She recalled Paul’s words to the church at Corinth in Second Corinthians, chapter 9. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
“Paul addressed the issue directly,” said Pastor Max. “He was saying that we should have an abundant heart and that there is a law of sowing and reaping. He was teaching that we shouldn’t give grudgingly, or give because we feel like we have to give.”
“Pastor Max, you’ve done a great job of teaching the church about giving,” said Mark. “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned about giving is the importance of giving with a generous spirit.”
“Well,” Pastor Max chuckled, “The word cheerful here comes from the Greek word ‘hilaros’ which means hilarious. To me, that means truly joyful giving.
“And remember what Jesus said in Luke 6:38, ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.’
“So when I give to the Lord, I’m always going to give generously and hilariously,” grinned Madge. “Always generously! Always hilariously!”
(To contact the writer of this column about speaking engagements (in the U.S.A.), including Christian Comedy Fundraising Outreaches, Christian Creativity Seminars and/or puppet ministry, please type “Speaking Engagements” in the subject line and e-mail raysofson@gmail.com, kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com or ministry4jesus@yahoo.com.)