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Friends United Meeting |
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March 2005
Giving Is a Blessing
By Kathy A. Sawyer
Haven’t we all heard the phrase, “It is more blessed to give than to receive?” I began hearing it when I was a child. Usually it was at offering time at church. Sometimes it was at Christmas time when parents tried to convince children that not getting many presents was okay because the real joy came from giving and not receiving. Then there was the story of the widow who gave all she had, two mites, while many others gave much. Those two mites meant more to God than all the other large gifts because she gave all she had while they gave from their abundance. Although I heard these phrases and knew these stories, the true meaning of giving and being a good steward over my giving didn’t come until later. Growing up Pentecostal, we had an annual summer convention each year where thousands of people attended. The church services were great. The spirit of the Lord was high. The anointing was so thick in the place, you never wanted it to end. But it did. A big splash of cold water came when it was offering time. You could literally feel the anointing fi re go out. Why was that? Why do we tighten up and reject the opportunity to give? I think the major reason for our hesitation is our sense of giving out of the fl esh versus giving out of the spirit. And coming to the place of being in that spirit when we give is a hard place to be.
Many times when offerings were lifted and the congregation asked to give large amounts, I was always fascinated by those who would step into the center aisle with a pledge of $100 or $50 or even $20. Being a single mom, I did all I could just to make ends meet. I remember asking God to one day let me be in a place that I was able to give $100 to Him! That was the key. Asking to give to God! That day came. I was nervous. I was scared and to be honest, I really didn’t have it. Giving would be a sacrifi ce, but I gave $100 in faith, trusting and believing that my God would supply all my needs according to his riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19)
The next day, the person who managed the apartments where I live phoned with a routine call about renewing my lease. “Yes, I’m going to renew,” was my response. To show appreciation for my renewing, they took $100 off my rent for that month! Look at God! Penny for penny, He gave my sacrifi ce back to me! Immediately! Never before or since have they given me this same deal for renewing my lease. It was a lesson. “Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.” (Luke 6:38a)
That one lesson was all I needed to be convinced that God is a faithful God. I learned it was more blessed to give than to receive. I knew that even if the next blessing wasn’t as obvious as that one, God was covering me and protecting me fi nancially. But I also knew this didn’t give me the right to go out and make bad fi nancial decisions or spend my money haphazardly with the thought that as long as I give to God, I will be blessed. I knew I still had the responsibility to do the right things with my money by taking care of natural matters as well as spiritual matters — as we all do.
Money — the lack of money or the abundance of money — is how many people defi ne who they are. It identifi es an economic classifi cation. It represents social standing. It separates the haves from the have-nots. And why not? Even the Bible says: money meets every need! (Ecclesiastes 10:19b) Common sense lets us know that money is necessary, money makes things easier, etc. But the bottom line is, money is a tool and provision God places in our lives and unless we are good stewards over our money, God will not be pleased. God knows our heart. Just like God knew the widow gave all she had, God knows what we have. He knows when giving is just a routine action. He knows when giving is done begrudgingly and God knows when giving is done from the heart.
Often a concern arises if monies given are being used for the purpose intended or being used for something else. From my experiences of being a “PK” (Pastor’s Kid), there were often rumblings and questions of what the pastor was using the church money for. Did our money buy that new car? Did our money buy this? Did our money buy that? But I don’t recall anywhere in the Bible where it instructs us to give and then micro-manage our gifts to completion. Sure, if we give to a specifi c project, mission or cause, that is defi nitely where we expect our money to be used, but if we give in that spirit, without God being the focal point of our giving, the blessings associated with the gift could be hampered. If we give for the sole purpose of our gift going to further the works of God, we will never go wrong.
Human nature is subject to mistakes and wrongdoings. God is not. Giving purely to and for God and His works will never leave you questioning your decision to give. Don’t get me wrong; giving does not come natural to us. Our nature is to hoard, keep, protect and save what we have. Who knows when an incident might come along and absorb or wipe out monies intended for a completely different purpose? There is something very comforting about having a tidy little nest egg set aside! We all want to know our future is protected. And we’ve been taught having a hefty savings account is the right and responsible thing to do. But just like we pay into our 401K at work and our company matches our contribution, so does God! But unlike our companies that match only a certain percentage and no more, God’s blessings are endless! He will do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Ephesians 3:30) and that is the power to give.
When I came to the place where I was able to give to God with a heart aimed at God and leave it there, I felt the joy and the peace associated with the cheerful spirit of giving. I knew God was pleased. Still, it’s not always easy when other fi nancial things are staring me down, but I know He is Jehovah Jireh! I know God is my provider and I know blessings are sure to follow! Subtle blessings. Obvious blessings. Overwhelming blessings! Blessings, blessings, blessings. You can’t beat God’s giving, no matter how you try!
All gifts and contributions are welcomed. Please direct to Kathy A. Sawyer, FUM Development Offi cer.