GIVING FOR GOD'S WORK

1 Chronicles 29:1-9; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; Matthew 14:13-21

Introduction

When we talk about giving, many people immediately think about money. But in the Scriptures, giving is about the self; the will, mind, heart, obedience, and participation in God’s mission. "They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us." (2 Cor 8:5) Our reflection for today, “Giving for God’s Work,” is not simply about offering finances, but about understanding that God calls His people to partner with Him in building His kingdom through their resources, time, talent, wealth, skills, and lives. Giving is the foundation of the Christian faith; "God gave" and "Christ gave Himself." Therefore, if you question Christ's call to give, then your calling into Christ is questionable.

Let me discuss this topic under only three blocks. 

Giving as Worship

Worship is the lifestyle of the Christian. They are what we see to distinguish the believer from the world as a result of one's true faith in Christ. David and the people of Israel gave generously for the building of the Temple. David declared, “The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God.” (1Ch. 29:1). This text shows us three things:

1. The motivation of giving is not for human recognition, but for God’s glory. David said, "With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God..." (1 Ch. 29:2). A wrong or sinful motivation to give for God's work may be that everyone will know my generosity. The worst of it all is for the opportunity to brag about saying, without me, God's work won't go on.

2. Leadership by example in giving. David himself gave from his personal treasure "In my (David) devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God..." (1 Ch. 29:3–4). A model of sacrificial giving as a leader. We have come to a point where church leaders only dream and think of how to get members to give. Prophets now testify about how they received from brethren and never about how much they gave to God's work. Listen, "Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly." (1 Ch 29:6)

3. The joy of collective giving. The people rejoiced greatly because they gave willingly. Giving does not guarantee happiness, but faithful giving is what ignites the fruit of joy in the Christian. We mostly lose this joy in giving for some basic mistakes: i. Giving grudgingly. ii. Focusing on what others are also giving. iii. Seeking human praise/recognition after giving.

The joy of the people was in the generous participation of the leaders, "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD." (1 Ch 29:9). The Bible adds that, and "David the king also rejoiced greatly." (1Ch 29:9). I pray that you will find joy in all your "giving for God's work." 

I share in the words of John Stott, saying, “Our giving is a tangible expression of our theology. What we think of God is revealed in how we hold our possessions.” Nothing refreshes a father than witnessing the willing hearts of his children to give back to him at all times. God desires to be proud of you today, my dear.

Giving as Grace

The grace of God is the root and fountain of all the good in us that we exhibit at all times. If we are made useful to others for whatever purpose, we must understand that grace is at work in us. Giving is our act of grace towards God and others. 

Paul highlights the "grace" exhibited by the Macedonian churches, who, despite "their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Cor 8:2). Here, Apostle Paul calls giving a "grace" (2 Cor. 8:7). This places grace alongside the essentials of Christianity: faith, knowledge, and love. "But since you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (2 Cor 8:7) This means giving, to the Believer, is not an optional act but an essential demonstration of Christian maturity.

Giving as grace considers the following;

i Sacrifice - They gave “even beyond their ability” (2Cor. 8:3).

ii Willingness – They gave “Entirely on their own” (2Cor. 8:3).

iii Priority – They “gave themselves first of all to the Lord. and then by the will of God also to us.” (2Cor. 8:5).

The most important aspect that we must note in giving for God's work is that we must first give ourselves to the will of God. If I'm playing the church drums, keyboard, according to my own will, it is wrong. My being should be given off to God's will before any form of giving can emanate the needed response from God. 

C. S. Lewis puts it, "...it is not so much of our time and so much of our attention that God demands; it is not even all our time and all our attention; it is ourselves." We must always remember the words of John the Baptist, "He must increase and I decrease." It is about God, not about us.

Giving as Participation in God’s Miracle

In Matthew's account of the feeding of the five thousand, when Jesus had told the disciples, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat" (Matt 14:16), teaches us that giving is not about what we do not have, but it is about surrendering what we have to the Master. The five loaves and two fish became the seed for a miracle. The little in hand is enough to participate in God's miracle when we give to Him. Jesus gave thanks, broke it, and gave them to the disciples to be given to the people. In this act, the miracle of multiplication to feed a multitude is witnessed.

Remember, God magnifies our small giving to do great works. Our part is obedience, God’s part is multiplication. Giving opens the door for others to experience God’s abundance. This resonates with the words of Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

Giving for God's Work

Giving flows from gratitude. Beloved, everything we have and see around us belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). We are only stewards over them and not owners.

Giving for God's work is an act of honour we worshippers can offer to Him with a promise. Proverbs 3:9–10 tells us, “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." We honour God by giving ourselves and substance to Him, "They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God." (Phil 4:18)

Giving advances God’s mission. Paul's letter in Phil. 4:15–19 shows how Paul was sustained by the Philippians' gifts. Paul was in need, which could have hindered the mission. He puts it, "...when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need." (Phil 4:15-16). So he said his desired prayer for them, "what I desire is that more be credited to your account ... And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:17,19). 

Giving opens divine blessings. "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 there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, ” says the LORD Almighty." (Mal 3:10-11) 

This underscored the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Giving opens blessings and prevents the devourer from destroying our goodies.

Giving for God's work must be seen as worship, not a burden, as grace, not with a grudge; it is our way of saying in Christ we trust.

Conclusion

Let me conclude with a statement Billy Graham made, “God has given us two hands one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing.”

Giving for God’s Work is not compulsion but about joyful participation in God’s mission. When God’s people give willingly, sacrificially, and faithfully, God uses those gifts to build His Kingdom, transform lives, and multiply miraculous blessings. Amen!

Shalom aleikhem...