The Heart of Giving
First, I want to thank everyone who gave this past month; we received $17,443, about $5,000 more than we did the month before. I particularly want to thank those who gave for this first time. We are still a bit short of the $19,471 we need each month to meet our budget, but this is a great start. Additionally, if anyone feels led to make a one-time contribution to help us make up some of the current budget deficit, we would be grateful.
As I mentioned last month, I want to take the next couple of newsletters to talk about some biblical principles for giving. I believe God has given us an opportunity to grow in this grace. Another part of the reason we want to spend time teaching on this is because, if every family gave just 6% of their income (based on the average West Jordan household), we would more than cover our budget.
The heart is the most important aspect of our giving. We see this at the beginning of the Bible, in the story of Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:3-4 says,
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
The key difference between these offerings is not their content; both grain (fruits of the soil) and the fat portions of an animal were acceptable offerings to God. Instead, the key difference is in the words some and firstborn. Cain brought just some of his harvest; Abel gave fat from the firstborn.
Why does this matter? The fat from the firstborn looks no different than the fat from the third born. The grain of the first harvest isn’t substantially different from the grain of the last of the harvest. So why does God look at one with favor while rejecting the other?
It’s because the key component of an offering isn’t the amount, but the heart behind it. What we give to God is a window into our hearts. Abel’s offering shows genuine gratitude and love for God–I’m going to give to God the first of what I’ve been given. Cain’s offering is a mere token–I’ll give so others see, so I check that box, but let me grab whatever leftover grain I have.
None of us makes a living as farmers or ranchers, so let’s update the scenario. What’s the difference between committing to give a certain amount versus giving after you’ve made room for everything else? One shows a priority for God: God, thank you for this money, thank you for giving me a job, and I trust that you will continue to provide. I show that trust by not keeping the first of my paycheck for myself, but giving it back to you. Waiting till the end shows you are the priority, not God: Let me take care of all my bills and other expenses and what is left I’ll give to God.
The amounts could well be the same (though I suspect they often aren’t); the key difference is in the heart of the one giving. Again giving is a window into the heart. We see this in Cain’s reaction. When God doesn't look with favor, what is his immediate reaction? Anger, self-righteousness, contempt. Cain chose some of his crops to give for the external appearances. His heart was wrapped up in himself, not in God.
This principle is repeated again and again in Scripture. Consider 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
We can see how the story of Cain and Abel is an illustration of this principle. God loves a cheerful giver, one who gives out of thanksgiving and love, not self-righteous show. This means that giving is an act of worship, a theme we will look at in our next newsletter.
Here are some questions to help you explore your own heart towards giving:
Would you describe your financial offering to the church as coming from the firstfruits of what you make? Why or why not?
What does the priority of your giving say about your attitude towards God? What does it say about your trust in God?
What are some steps you could take to start giving God your firstfruits? (I’ve discovered that often when we take that step, even if our heart isn’t fully convinced, that this small act of faithfulness reveals a heart that is open to God, even if it doesn’t feel that joy. God often responds by developing in us a greater sense of gratitude as we step out in faith.)
If you have any questions please let me know and I’ll try to cover them in future newsletters.
Ways to give:
The easiest way to give is online.
You may drop a check or cash in the offering boxes in the sanctuary.
You can also mail a check to the church or drop one in the offering box.
In Christ,
Pastor Jon