Participation in a church can take place in many different ways, but a key way in which we
participate is through faithfully giving to the ministry work of our faith community. Below is a general
discussion on the biblical perspective on giving. However, I want to mention some real
practicalities:
Planned Giving is for the purpose of encouraging intentional planned commitment. This
means that the church's income will be reasonably consistent and not dependent on whether
someone remembered to bring enough money in their purse or wallet.
It also means that we can budget on purpose and understand our monthly
contribution as part of our regular monthly expenses.
Moving from the earthly realities - planned giving should also be seen as a spiritual event,
in that we give of our substance to God in response to His faithfulness. If we only give on
the basis of how we experience church life - then we will find it difficult to enjoy the
process of giving.
Stewardship
Our goal is to encourage faithful, consistent living for Christ. We want to provide a
stable community of faith for our people so that they can be nourished and equipped for
service in the world. This stability is realized in many ways, not least of which is
the healthy financial position. To talk about finances is not unspiritual, especially
when we confess that God is our Creator and the giver of all good and perfect gifts (James 1:17).
If all we have and are, is ascribed to God's grace towards us, then to be a good steward
means to put my whole life at God's disposal. This is a response of gratitude, faith and
obedience, which forms part of our call to worship (Rom.12:1-3).
We give because we am grateful. God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son for us (John 3:16).
We give in faith because we believe we am storing up riches for ourselves in heaven (Matt.6:19-21).
We give in obedience. As stewards of God's resources given to us, we will give an account of ourselves (1 Peter 4:10).
At the same time we do not exercise the stewardship of giving based on the legalistic
perspective of Old Testament Law, but as a free and personal response to Christ. As we do
so, we provide God with a yardstick by which our eternal and present-time rewards are to
be measured back to us:
"Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop.
I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind
what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves
it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing
ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what
needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to
the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out,
never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread
for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then
give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so
that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God."
(2 Corinthians 9:6-11 ~ The Message)
FROM THE ABOVE, WE UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:
These and other passages show that the concept of giving was not foreign in the
early church.
The fact that God loves a cheerful giver means that He has an expectation that
we will be generous, joyful givers.
It is helpful to use the Old Testament 10% as a guide and target. If we are able
to go beyond that, we should.
Jesus illustrates God's response to our generosity: "Give, and it will be given to
you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into
your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38 ~ NIV)
Conversely, some might be reluctant to give because they feel that a few Rands
or cents is hardly worth giving. This is not so. God sees our hearts. What is
important is to develop a giving attitude.
Our Bank Details are as Follows:
| Bank: |
STANDARD BANK OF S.A. LTD |
| Branch: |
CLAREMONT |
| Branch Code: |
02510901 |
| Account Holder: |
KENILWORTH COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH |
| Current Account No: |
071 889 795 |