Step 10: Invest In The Kingdom

 โ€œFor where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.โ€ โ€“ Jesus (Matthew 6:21)
2 Corinthians 9:1-7  
"Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,"
  • We give to organizations and causes because we believe in them.
"for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.  But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove vain in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated- to say nothing of you- for being so confident." 
  • We give to express our values and inspire others to give
"So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction." 
  • We prepare to give in a planned way, not out of pressure or emotional manipulation
"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 
  • We give to invest in the Kingdom of God because we live to make a difference in the world in the long run more than to be comfortable in the moment
1 Corinthians 16:1-4  
"Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up," 
  • Give a little each week, not all at once
"as he may prosper," 
  • Give according to your income
  • Make your giving decision looking at your budget together at home, not at church
  • Giving should be a percentage of your income that you prayerfully decide on
"so that there will be no collecting when I come."
  • The pastor and spiritual leadership should have no knowledge of your giving so they can love you regardless of what you give or donโ€™t give
"And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me." 
  • You should expect that there are clear accountability procedures in place to make sure that your giving goes to what the church says it goes towards and that it will not be taken for other purposes
Values in Giving: Voluntary, Cheerful, Investment, Trust, Submission, Compassion
Questions to pray over:
  • Is the purpose of my life more to be comfortable or make a positive impact on the world?
  • If someone looked at my current budget, what would they say my values are?
  • Does how I use my money reflect that my life is about more than just me?
  • Where does all my/our money come from?  Whose money is it?
  • What is God calling me/us to do that is voluntary, cheerful, sacrificial but not foolish, and an investment in the Kingdom of God?
Takeaway: Living Hope Partners give to the ministry regularly, cheerfully, and sacrificially