Giving Living: Generosity Based on Faith

Giving can be challenging - especially when we try to do it on our own. We encounter many obstacles, including: insecurity, pride, unbelief and the illusion that earth is our home.

We embraced biblical based financial principles early in our marriage through our involvement with Crown Ministries. While Crown provided us with a solid foundation and road map for Christ’s views on money, we often strayed from the path of giving consistently – falling victim to our rationale thinking about priorities. Despite our shortcomings, Christ remained faithful to us and continues to shape our hearts and actions to adopt a life of Generosity.

Having served on the HBUMC Finance Committee for nearly 2 years – Gary has had the opportunity to more closely observe the depth of Christ centered leadership from our Pastoral team and members of our Finance and Stewardship teams. Hayes Barton is making an impact for God’s glory in our community and around the world. Our church has made a difference in so many lives … but just imagine how much more could be accomplished for HIS Kingdom.

Here are a few lessons we have learned on our journey.

Giving does not subtract from what we have; it multiplies the effect we can have in the world.
Generosity is not an obligation; it’s an opportunity for believers to be shaped into the image of Christ.
Generosity is rooted in Faith, and it remains open to the impossible.
Generosity carries a certain sense of recklessness that trusts God, saying “there is more where that came from.”

God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of Giving.

God entrusts us with this money not to build our kingdom on earth, but to build HIS kingdom in Heaven.

We have one brief opportunity – a lifetime on earth – to use our resources to make a difference.

Our giving is a reflective response to the grace of God in our lives. It doesn’t come out of our altruism or philanthropy – it comes out of the transforming work of Christ in us. This grace is the action; our giving is the Reaction. We give because HE first gave to us.

Jim Elliot - “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

MATT 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

LUKE 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

We pray that you will seek the Lord’s guidance as you discern your 2019 pledge commitment and may the spirit of Contagious Generosity surround our congregation as we seek to grow HIS Kingdom.