Welcome to the Giving Room!
WAY-FM invites you to relax here in our Giving Room and reflect on the joy of giving. It’s Pledge Drive time again, so it’s the perfect time to explore the topic of giving in-depth. Let us know what you think about the resources below by clicking here.
Facts On Giving
Despite the recession, most people are being generous:
53% of Americans said they gave money to a religious organization last year, and 66% gave to other charities. Those numbers were nearly identical the year before, according to a national telephone poll of 1,053 adults, conducted this past September by USA Today/Gallop.
An outpouring of support for Haiti:
Americans have already donated $650 million in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. That’s more than even the U.S. Government is giving, and a record-breaking $12 million so far has been given via texting, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
What Does The Bible Say About Giving?Be Generous!
“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25-28, NLT
Be Cheerful!
“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully” 2 Corinthians 9:7, NLT
Be Blessed!
“You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35b, NLT
Scriptures on giving:Tithing
Deuteronomy 14:22-23
You must set aside a tithe of your crops—one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.
Generosity
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.
All is God’s
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.
Helping the poor
Proverbs 14:31
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but helping the poor honors him.
Proverbs 19:17
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord — and he will repay you!
Let good deeds show
Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Store treasures in heaven
Matthew 6:19-21
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Abundance
Acts 28:10
As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
Set aside regularly
1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.
Supporting Ministries
1 Corinthians 9:10
Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.
Joy produces generosity
2 Corinthians 8:2
They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
Give eagerly
2 Corinthians 8:12
Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.
Be ready to give
2 Corinthians 9:3
But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you.
Give cheerfully
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.
Providing for teachers
Galatians 6:6
Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.
Doing good to all
Galatians 6:9-10
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone — especially to those in the family of faith.
Contentment
Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Sharing
Philippians 4:14
Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
Contentment
1 Timothy 6:6-8
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
Generosity proves faith
Philemon 5-7
Because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
A good example
Hebrews 6:10-12
For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
Encouraging good deeds
Hebrews 10:24
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
What Do Others Say About Their Giving?
Here are some videos we thought might you find helpful and inspiring, from our friends at a ministry called Generous Giving.
Pastor Rick Warren, “Purpose Driven Life” author, on why giving is a heart matter.
Author/Speaker Randy Alcorn on how God owns it all.
Theologian and author Dr. Marva Dawn on the joy of giving.
On The Giving Room BookshelfHere are some books we thought you might find helpful and inspiring.
Title: The Treasure Principle
By: Randy Alcorn
Title: Generosity, a 4-week devotional
By: Gordon MacDonald
Title: Family. Money, 5 questions every family should ask about wealth
By: David Wills, Terry Parker, and Greg Sperry
Title: Not Your Parents' Offering Plate: A New Vision for Financial Stewardship
By: J. Cliff Christopher
Title: The Grace of Giving: 10 Principles of Christian Giving
By: John Stott
|
