If we have received the greatest gift - God's generous grace - then our lives are to be marked by responding with generous giving. Christians give to the work of God's kingdom because they know that God gave everything, even his own son Jesus Christ, for their sakes (2 Corinthians 8:8-9). Giving is to be motivated not by guilt or obligation but by the grace we have received.

Do you own or manage?
God doesn't need our money as if he needed an income. Everything belongs to him (Psalm 50:7-15). Instead, we need him every moment to sustain us. When we look at our finances and possessions, it is easy to forget that God owns the entire creation and everything we have is a gift from him (Deuteronomy 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 4:7). If God owns everything, then we are related to him as managers not owners. We are called to manage what he has entrusted to us to use for his kingdom purposes. This is the biblical idea of stewardship (Luke 16:1-13). If everything belongs to God, then there aren't two kingdoms--the spiritual (what belongs to God) and the material (what belongs to us).

This myth of two kingdoms convinces us that if we are faithful in the spiritual kingdom, then we are free to live as we desire in the material kingdom. R. Scott Rodin writes,
"This two-kingdom reality is nothing more than a return to the sin of Adam and Eve. It is a return to a distinction between that which is God's and that which we seek to judge for ourselves, to take under our control, and to use for our gain. It sets out a clear dichotomy between what is rightfully God's and what is rightfully mine. To God we gladly give all that belongs to our spiritual kingdom--as long as God is equally glad to leave us alone with the stuff of our earthly kingdom. We are even so 'Christian' that we will share some of what is 'ours' with God. And for doing so the church will thank us profusely, put our names on plaques, treat us like the really good Christians that we are, all while keeping its nose out of the way in which we build and use our earthly treasure. What a great arrangement"
(Stewards in the Kingdom , p.130-131).

Rodin goes on to say,

"The new creation in Christ is not just a detached, spiritual creation but a holistic transformation of everything we are and everything we have. If the kingdom of God is occupied by the people of God who are this new creation, then there is simply nothing left with which we can build a second, earthly kingdom."
(Stewards in the Kingdom , p.129).

Why your giving tells more about you than you think...
Jesus says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). Here Jesus tells us the most important truth about money: our money and our heart go together. How we use money reveals our desires, our aspirations, and our hopes. We all know that to some extent. But Jesus says this to awaken us, to bring us to our senses so that we might live differently in this world.

He says this to show us how it is possible to say one thing and do another. It is possible to profess to be a follower of Jesus and to say we are living for God's priorities in the world. But then it is easy to act contrary to that profession. Our checkbooks and VISA statements reveal what we really are living for. So Jesus calls us to examine our focus in life. Is it on what is temporary and self-focused? Or is it focused on what will last for eternity, namely the kingdom of God and the people Christ came to save?

The writer of Hebrews says to his Christian readers, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Contentment comes as a response to a command from God. Just as contentment is a result of trusting God, it is also a means of trusting God. To be discontent is to accuse God of being unloving, unfaithful, or lacking power to provide. Contentment is as important a virtue as love, mercy, or faithfulness.

Our willingness to use our money for kingdom purposes reveals the role contentment plays in our life. If we live by our "needs" we will miss out on contentment. Contentment frees up money - and our lives - to be used for kingdom purposes. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world"
(1 Timothy 6:6-7).

•  How much does "need" determine the way you use     money?
•  How do you handle the desire to acquire or the     pressure to conform to a certain standard of living?
•  Are you content with what you have?
•  John Newton's approach was to figure out what a   "barely decent" lifestyle was (home, food, clothing).     He would then give away one penny for every     penny spent on himself. Would you be willing to     make changes like that? If so, what concrete steps     should you take to practice contentment?
•  How might contentment free up your time, your     money and your possessions for kingdom impact?

Are Christians expected to give a certain amount?

In the Old Testament believers were required to give a tenth of their income to the support of the ministry and the needs of the poor. The New Testament does not specifically mention the tithe, but since we are far more blessed and indebted to God than Old Testament believers, we assume that we are held more responsible for generosity, not less.

Thus the tithe (10%) annual gift of income is a kind of minimum guideline for giving. Paul says about the Macedonian church, "they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability" (2 Corinthians 8:3). That means they gave until it meant a sacrifice in their lifestyle.

The New Testament gives the example of Jesus as a motivation for sacrificial and generous giving. Just as Jesus was rich but became poor for our sakes, so believers should continue the pattern of giving generously (2 Corinthians 8:7-9).

Giving generously is a means of advancing God's kingdom . All of our resources are meant to further the kingdom of God. In our giving we are putting feet to the prayer Jesus gave us, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done" (Matthew 6:10). How can we pray "thy kingdom come" and not provide the material resources that can further the kingdom of God here on earth? The King asks that we, as stewards, use our resources to build his kingdom, not our own (Luke 12:42-48).

How do I make a contribution at Grace?

When making a contribution, please designate on a giving envelope (located in the seat in front of you) where you want the money to go (general fund, youth, etc.). Checks that have no designation automatically go into the general fund of the church. If you give cash, please place it in an envelope with your name and designation written on the outside.

Your giving is appreciated and is a vital part of the kingdom work being done in Long Beach and throughout the world!

For further information or questions, please contact Ralph Hampton , Church Administrator, 562-595-6881, ext. 202.