Why Christians should give?
A teenage girl got saved when she attended a gospel meeting in her church. She was completely changed. She loved the Lord and was very grateful to the Lord for the precious and wonderful salvation. Whenever she attended the worship service, she praised and thanked the Lord for the redemption and eternal life that she had received as a free gift through the blood of Jesus Christ. She surrendered her life completely to the Lord’s service. She also wanted to give something to the Lord as an expression of her love and gratitude for the joy and happiness that she enjoyed. But she was very poor and did not have anything to give to the Lord.
One Sunday morning, she prayed to the Lord to show to her what she could give to the Lord. At that time her favorite dog Blackey came near her and licked her feet. Blackey was gifted to her by one of her classmates. She loved Blackey and spent most of her time with Blackey. In the night, Blackey used to sleep near her and was her pet dog. An uncle living in the next street offered to purchase Blackey for Rs.1000. But she refused to part with Blackey because she loved it and enjoyed its company.
When she prayed on that day, she felt that she should sell her pet dog and give the money to the Lord. She loved Blackey so much that her eyes were filled with tears as she thought of parting with her favorite dog. She also remembered the cost that the Lord paid to save her from her wretched life. So she took Blackey to the uncle and sold it for Rs.1000.
When she returned to her house, she missed Blackey. Even though Blackey was not there in the house, she was happy because she had now Rs.1000 to give to the Lord as a gratitude for what the Lord had done to her. When she attended the service on that Sunday evening, the pastor read 2 Cor. 8:9. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
When the pastor shared about the cost that the Lord paid on the cross to save mankind and the suffering that He went through for the redemption, the young girl thanked the Lord for enabling her to sell at least her dog and give Rs.1000 which will support the salary of one missionary for one month.
Like this teenage girl, Christians give to the Lord as a thanks giving for what they have received from the Lord. The Lord is rich and holy. But He gave away His glory and became poor like us to save us. He even died on the cross willingly to offer us free salvation. This was because of His love for us. Bible gives many reasons for Christian giving. Let us see a few among them.
It is the grace of God to be abounded: “But as you abound in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us – see that you abound in this grace also” 2 Cor. 8:7.
It is an acceptable sacrifice and well pleasing to God: “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things. which were sent from you a sweet-smelling aroma an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” Phi1. 4:18.
It stores treasures in heaven: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Matt. 6: 19,20,21.
It unlocks the blessings of God: “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness” 2 Cor. 9: 10.
It provides for the needs of the children of God: “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” Gal. 6:6.
It expresses our gratitude to our Lord: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” 2 Cor. 8:9.
It shows our love to God and others: “Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf” 2 Cor. 8:24.
It honors the Lord: “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase” Prov. 3:9.
It brings glory to God: “While, through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men” 2 Cor. 9: 13.
It is God’s commandment: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord” Lev. 27:30.
It is the commandment of Jesus Christ: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure pressed down shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” Luke 6:38.
It is an eternal investment: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy …. storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come that they may hold on eternal life” 1 Tim. 6: 17, 19.
It is a blessed thing to give rather than to receive: “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive”’ Acts 20:35.
(Dr. C Barnabas, Translated from True Discipleship August 1997)