The first century church came together on the first day of every week to worship God, and a commanded, regular discipline of their worship was purposeful giving.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. (1 Corinthians 16:1-3)
Our Elders have challenged us as members of the Graeber Road Body of Christ to prayerfully consider our ability and willingness to give to the Lord and His work in this place, then to let them know our decision on December 8th. From the commitment we make, the plan of work for 2025 can then be put into action.
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)
So, how do we determine our commitment? I have listened to folks that strongly emphasized the “cheerful giver” wording of the verse above, while at the same time ignoring the principle of the harvest that comes just before it, letting us know that if we sow sparingly we reap sparingly, and if we sow bountifully we reap bountifully. So at least part of our decision is based on whether it is our desire to have a bountiful or sparing spiritual existence!
I’ve also spoken to people who take great pride in the New Testament not calling for the Old Testament tithe, while at the same time ignoring the repeated passages about sacrificial giving and the superiority of our participation in the New Covenant in Christ. Such reasoning has resulted in an average percentage of Christian giving to be around 2.5%. That doesn’t seem very sacrificial, and in fact would be comparable to what many families spend eating out for Sunday lunch. Paul, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, challenged the church at Corinth, “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 [of giving] also.” (2 Corinthians 8:7) The focus of Paul and other inspired writers was not on seeking legalistic minimums, but in seeking a freedom in Christ that allows us to excel in all areas of spiritual discipline.
In 2 Corinthians 8, the Macedonian church was praised for their liberal giving in the face of personal affliction and poverty, and emphasis was made that, “they gave themselves first to the Lord…” (v.5) Lord willing, we will look at these principles more fully on Sunday morning, December 8th.
Pray about your participation! Pray about what God will do in us and through us in 2025! To God be the Glory!
-J. Helbig
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