A Lesson On Giving

Why do we give?

"But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” —2 Corinthians 8:7

"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it..."
—Psalm 24:1

As Christ Followers, we believe that we are stewards of God's resources because He is the owner of all that we have.  His Word tells us that giving is an act of worship and that giving should be done with a spirit of thanksgiving!  It sounds so tongue and cheek to say “It is better to give than to receive,” but it is true.  Read on!  2 Corinthians  9:7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

By faithfully giving we enable the Lord’s work.  It is a great way to unleash the blessings of God in your life.  Even Paul recognized this in the newly formed churches of the New Testament. He tells the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 8:13-15, "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

How do we give?

At NewLife Community Church we have several ways that you can give to God's work. You can give by cash or check on Sundays, and if you forget you can also mail a check to our church office.

Do you have more giving questions? Read on!

What is a tithe?

As Christ Followers, we believe that we are to follow God's call (both Old and New Testament) for generosity. "Tithe" means "tenth" or 10 percent. We tithe this because 1. Giving of our firsts involves faith--the essential ingredient to bring God pleasure, and 2. It releases the rest of our resources to receive God's blessing. In Malachi 3:8-10 God speaks to His people, "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings …Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

What is an offering?

NewLife Community Church believes that we are stewards of what God has given us. Therefore, we see tithing as giving God back what is His already (giving our first 10% in faith frees up the 90% to go further than the 100%). Giving beyond this is a further response to our love for God. This type of sacrificial giving is over and above and should also be done with cheerfulness.

Why is giving so important?

We also recognize that Jesus talked more about giving than the subjects of heaven, hell, prayer, faith or grace. In Luke 6:38 He says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Did you know Jesus even calls us to tithe faithfully in Luke 11:42.

How do I excel in giving?

You can excel in giving by cheerfully and obediently giving your tithe.  Additionally, you can give sacrificially in offerings above that!  The apostle Paul spoke to churches about giving and he prompted the believers to be generous. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."