Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The P's of giving

Leading up to a series on giving that is happening next year at church, I've been reading a book on stewardship and finances from a Christian perspective.

By coincidence, I've also been reading 1 & 2 Corinthians, which has the topic of giving throughout the letters.

In 1 Corinthians 16 Paul gives the recipients of his letter a pattern to follow when giving. The first part of verse 2 says... "On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up..."

The book i'm reading made the pints that giving should be...

Personal - each one of you - Giving is a responsibility and privilege for each individual believer.

Periodic - on the first day of the week - There is value in keeping the discipline of consistency in our giving.

Perspective - in keeping with his income - The amount we give is determined prayerfully before God. No matter what percentage of our income it is, we should support the work of the church, giving sacrificially and generously.

Premeditated - set aside... saving it up - Forethought should be given to our giving. Giving shouldn't first enter our minds when the offering is announced in church. We should set aside the amount we are going to give the day we get paid.

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