Which is greater: the church’s need for our gifts, or our need to give the gifts?
Christ neither asks for help nor bargains for loyalty with those he helps. Rather he supplies what we need, and then asks us to go and help others. It’s a pay-it-forward process.
In Matthew 6:21, Jesus tells us: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So why give? We might as well ask why breathe, sleep or eat. Giving is intrinsic to our spiritual well-being just as these physical actions are to our physical well-being. Why give? Consider this:
- God tells us to do so repeatedly.
- Giving sets our priorities.
- Giving encourages others.
- Giving influences others.
- Giving is good financial discipline.
- Giving connects us.
- Giving opens us up to new adventures.
As we give, we grow. Giving to the church is what sowing is to gardening. It plants possibilities. Both the givers and receivers benefit in the process.
Women of the ELCA offer several free resources on stewardship and giving. Find the current stewardship planning guide and Thankoffering service. Learn about Faithful Friends giving.
This message was adapted from “Growing Through Giving” written by Kathryn Haueisen Cashen that first appeared in the May 2010 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.