“I don’t have to give money, I give in other ways!”

Have you every heard this when it comes to giving money in the Offering? Perhaps you’ve used it yourself! And it makes reasonable sense…some people have lots of money to give, some people have lots of time, others have particular talents. We all serve in different ways and needn’t feel like we need to do everything. Right?

Well, yes…and no.

Put aside the fact that a church community actually needs money to function in our society. Put aside the fact that each Living Room service involves heating/lighting/electricity costs as well as dedicated staff hours and a tasty supper (nom nom nom). Put aside, even, that a church community needs to exist beyond itself to give to those in need — otherwise it ceases to be a church!

Put aside all of this for a second. Let’s think more broadly about the influence of money in our lives. We need money to survive in our consumer-driven society. There might be scant few people that live off the grid growing vegies and eating wallaby in Mackenzie country. But for most of us, money is a basic necessity of life.

And actually not much has changed since Jesus’ day. Scripture is packed with passages dealing with money, gold, silver or other forms of finance. Nearly one-third of Jesus’ parables deal with money in one way or another. Jesus entered into every aspect of human life (except sin) — and he certainly didn’t ignore the issue of money. Just read Luke 18:18-30 for a very poignant example!

Money often has such a hold on us that we’re more willing give up our time rather than part with our precious dollars…which should be a warning for us all as to the power of money!

Now, don’t get me wrong. This isn’t a guilt-trip to get you giving whatever coins you have lying around. You know your financial situation and you need to work out for yourself (and possibly with some trusted friends) how much you can afford to give (if any at all). But whatever your decision, do so intentionally and prayerfully.

When we take up the Offering in worship, it is fundamentally exactly that — an act of worship. We are thanking God for everything we receive in Jesus Christ, and, by his Holy Spirit, we are learning to trust God with everything we have. Giving money is a costly but powerful sign that God is first in our life — that ultimate provision comes from above. Plain and simple, discipleship is costly — this is the way of the cross after all!

One final thing: Remember the Lord’s Prayer? Give us today our daily bread. This is our daily petition for God to provide. But notice the whole prayer is not written in the singular. It is OUR Father not my Father. It is Give US not Give Me. A wise man once said:

“We can only find God if we search for him as the God who wants to help me and others together — not just me alone.”

It’s a bit of a clumsy translation. But the point is, when we pray “give us our daily bread”, we are actually taking on the responsibility ourselves to look out for one another. God provides through God’s people, the body of Christ. And therefore, we cannot pray “give us our daily bread”, if people around us are starving.

Giving of our money to the community of faith is a way of faithfully responding to our Father (as opposed to my Father).

Simply put, we cannot follow Jesus Christ and not provide for those in need.

Live generously!