Giving is an Act of Devotion
Giving is a Worshipful Response to God’s Generosity
Knowing the immeasurable worth of God and the many ways that God continues to bless us, we give willingly and joyfully from the heart as an act of faithful worship. We are compelled to give by internal devotion, not external obligation. As Paul says in 2 Co. 9:11, “you will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way which…will produce thanksgiving to God.” We give as a response to all that God has done and continues to do for us and we give in order to join in with what God is already doing in the world. As Paul says in 2 Co. 8:5, referring to the faith and generosity of Christians in Macedonia, “...they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Giving is Rooted in Grace
We serve a God of abundant grace - it’s in God’s very nature to give! The word ‘grace’ comes from the Greek word charis, which is related to the word charisma, which means ‘gift’. We offer our gifts in gratitude, as a faithful response to the life-changing grace that God gives to us. As we read in James 1:17, “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” The forgiveness, mercy, and grace received from God that saves us and renews us also motivates us to give so that others may know God’s amazing grace.
Giving is Integral to Our Growth as Disciples
To be faithful followers of Jesus means we confess His Lordship over all of our lives and refuse to relegate things to “secular” realms versus the “spiritual”. All of life is spiritual and all of life falls under our confession that Jesus Christ is Lord. This means that we see resources, material possessions, and all of life’s gifts as things we are called to bring into alignment with the teachings of Jesus. Faithful discipleship happens not just when we bow our heads in worship or serve at a food pantry, it also happens when we sit down to pay our bills or set a budget for our family. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and resources.” (Matthew 6:21,24). So, as we follow Jesus as Lord, we seek to let every aspect of our lives, including how we are in relationship with resources and possessions and how we give, fall under the Lordship of Jesus as part of our discipleship journey.
Get Connected to Finance
If you have questions, need more information, or would like to set up specific donations, please contact Linda Thyne at lindathyne@willchapumc.org or fill out the form and she will be in touch with you shortly.