When it comes to money the church has largely missed God’s purpose; the tremendous joy, happiness and opportunity that God intended for His children! I think it’s safe to say that most churches operate on the “guilt” principal, making sure they communicate the severe needs and the shortfalls strongly appealing to the emotions of the “person in the pew” Is it working? A study in the year 2000 in America showed that 23% gave nothing at all and only 1 out of 8 tithed 10%. Giving to missions is between 2-3 % of church budgets and the word is that the recession beginning in 2008 took this down even more.
Folks, God never intended to make this a burden. He intended to increase your joy exponentially as He caused you to become more and more like Jesus. Listen! “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2nd Cor. 8:9
Here is the standard! And He did it for joy! “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God’ Heb 12:2
Friends, we are most like God when we are giving! It is grace that motivates us to give! When grace has been shown to us we delight to give generously. Look back at some of the adjectives describing the poor Macedonian church; “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” 2nd Cor. 8:2
How do “severe trial”. “Overflowing joy”. “extreme joy”. “extreme poverty” and “rich generosity” all fit together in one verse??! As Randy Alcorn said in the “Treasure Principle”, “giving isn’t the luxury of the rich, it’s the privilege of the poor”. The two pence of the widow was of great value to Him!