Stretch Your Giving Thinking
“Let each one of you lay something aside” is the instruction by the apostle Paul to the Christians at the church in Corinth. He is taking gifts from the Gentile believers to help those in need at Jerusalem.
In chapter 16 of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul exhorts the members to give an offering every Sunday based upon how the Lord has blessed them financially: “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper.” (v. 2) This verse is part of the biblical basis for taking weekly offerings in the church. It is a call for all believers to participate regularly. There is nothing really new in this verse for most Christians, except the reality that many don’t give. Let me stretch you a little bit—oh alright, let me stretch you a lot! The Lord calls us to give, and to give regularly. Did you know that we are called to plan beforehand how much we will give? There is no basis in Scripture to support the idea that our regular giving be spontaneous. Special offerings may be so but not our routine gifts. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) The word “purposes” has the idea of planning ahead. In fact, verse 5 provides the image I want to use to stretch you: “prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready.” The Lord calls you as a Christian to (a) plan your giving ahead of time, (b) make a promise to give it, and (c) be ready to give when the offering is taken up in the church service. In the church that previously attended, when the offering was announced, a joyful shout rose from the gathered believers (reminding of the remainder of verse 7 … “not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”) Does this stretch your thinking regarding giving? If so, that is good. For God wants you to grow in every part of your spiritual life. Be ready to make a definite commitment with regard to your giving.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.