Giving

https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/01/coffee-and-a-muffin

What is the basis of Christian giving? I guess at the foundation of it all is the principle that our money, possessions and assets are not fully ours in the first place. Legally ours yes but not fully ours in the sense that we recognise the provision and grace of God in us acquiring our money, assets and possessions. We earn an honest living and few are very rich although some may be blessed with an earthly inheritance. But nevertheless we are able to give willingly for worthy causes because we ourselves experience the goodness of God in our own lives. We see how God preserved and protected us despite the clinical and often unsympathetic ways the world works. For example, I’m starting a new job today after so many years with my previous organisation and experienced first hand how God moved in special and I would say miraculous ways for me to experience what the Israelites experienced when they were leaving Egypt for the Promised Land. It is true that Christisn life is not a bed of roses but it is really a life living in the goodness of God working in us and among us.

I was on garden leave for a short while and at the tail end of it, had the privilege to join in the 15th anniversary celebrations of an organisation that is committed to providing accommodation for church and Christian retreats and camps at operating cost prices (zero amortisation of capital costs) so that the poorest of churches are able to afford the place, with full board and meals. I saw with my own eyes how many of those who attended have been wholeheartedly supporting this organisation for years as they grew old together with the founder. They soldier on serving God faithfully despite being in the 60s to 70s and even 80s.

Give whenever is necessary and as required. We save for our old age and yet when God prompts us, just give. We can give anonymously or give knowingly but we should not publicise our giving as Jesus taught don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. We give out of the thankfulness and gratefulness of our hearts. We give because God first loved us and we are now His children and servants in His kingdom of grace. We give our money, time and talents for God and for the furtherance of His kingdom and I believe in the process we are storing up riches or treasures in heaven where the thief may not steal and where neither moth nor rust may destroy (Matthew 6:19-21). The wisest thing we can do on earth, in my humble opinion, besides our decision to accept Jesus in our lives, is to use whatever influence and wealth we have here on earth to store up riches or treasures in heaven as the latter are things we can and will enjoy for all eternity! See the parable of the shrewd manager as taught by our Lord Himself in Luke 16:1-8.