"Him we proclaim…
that we may present everyone mature in Christ"

Colossians 1:28 ESV

What the Bible says about Giving

Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV)

The Bible is not silent on the subject of money.  It has a great deal to say about money; our attitude to it and what we do with it.

Why Give?

How to Give?

What Next?

Further Resources - talks and books

Why Give?

In reaction to God’s grace

God has shown his great love for sinful and unworthy people like us, in the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Having received such undeserved generosity we should be motivated to give generously in response. We are to be like God - ready not reluctant givers, for God loves a cheerful giver.

In recognition of God’s gifts

Giving is not limited to financial giving. God has given us all we need to give generously but not all of us can give financially. God wants us to be generous not just with our money but with our time, energy, skills, property and homes. If we have received God’s abundant grace then we all have something to give generously. Sometimes these other things are harder to give than money.

In response to needs and priorities

Paul encourages the Corinthian Christians to give generously to a collection for other Christians in great poverty. God’s priorities are that his people should come first in our giving: those who teach the word of God (1 Tim 5:17), those in need in our church (James 1:27, 1 Tim 5:8ff) and those in need in other churches (2 Cor 8-9). The needs may be local (eg the ministry at St Helen’s) or further afield (in the UK or abroad).

How to Give?

Abundantly

Paul stresses the abundant nature of God’s giving towards us so that we may give abundantly in response. God is able to make grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. The Old Testament commanded a tithe (10% of income). The New Testament is far more radical: we are to be generous givers of all we have. Some will give far more than 10% of their income, others less.

Thoughtfully

Each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give. We need to think carefully about what resources we have been given, what our responsibilities are and how we can give money in the most effective way.

Joyfully

God loves a cheerful giver. It’s easy to give for the wrong reasons - to relieve our guilt, to avoid other avenues of Christian service, to be seen to be generous by others. Paul tells us that God loves a joyful and big-hearted response to all that he has lavished on us.

What Next?

Pray       Ask God how best you can support his gospel work

              with the money he has given you

Decide     Resolve how much to give and how often

Act          Please fill in and return the forms

Further Resources

Download talks from St Helen's Giving Sunday 2007:

Sunday morning: Lee Gatiss - Less stressful than we are used to

Sunday evening: Phillip Jensen - Don't waste your life

Cash Values - 5 studies about Money Tony Payne, Matthias Media, 1993. Available from the St Helen’s bookstall - £2.50 or direct from the Good Book Company.

Beyond Greed - Brian Rosner

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