How Do We Give?

Giving is a privilege, we have resources in order that we can give them to God and others and celebrate the gift.

Giving is in thanks. We have been given a great deal, we offer a thank you gift.

Giving is a statement of faith. We give sacrificially (the widow’s mite) in faith that God is the true provider for our welfare and to demonstrate that we put our faith in God, not in material things. We test our faith by giving generously, and we demonstrate our faith in that way as well. Those taking team building classes are asked to throw themselves off of a high place and trust that their team will catch them. That is what giving generously is about.

Giving is joyful. Is our greater joy on Christmas morning opening our own gifts, or seeing the eyes of a child to whom we have given a gift? When we give joyfully, we give joy to God, joy to ourselves, and do good in the world as well. The example of Jesus as our vision of God tells me that God has feelings and that God wants us to be joyful and free in spirit. When we deny ourselves that joy, we also deny God that joy.

Giving is in service. Our gifts serve to help those who have less than we do. “When did you see me naked…”

Giving leads to abundant living. Living from fear and a concept of scarcity leads to holding back both resources and love, to pulling in from others, to isolation, and to loneliness. Giving builds abundance. Resources horded build scarcity.

“I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.”