Time to Build Giving Guide

MY PERSONAL GIVING COMMITMENT A GUIDE FOR DISCERNING GOD’S WILL

The most important decision you will make during this campaign will be the decision about your own giving commitment. As a leader, you will help set the standard of commitment for our congregation.

Seldom will a congregation rise above the level of sacrifice demonstrated by the members of the Leadership Team and the Home Visitors. If we are not sacrificial in our giving, we cannot expect others to be sacrificial.

As you begin praying about your commitment, please keep in mind that our theme is “EQUALSACRIFICE, NOT EQUAL GIFTS.” Obviously, God has not given everyone the ability to give the same amount in dollars. However, God does call us to make the same quality of commitment.

As you pray and consider what your commitment will be, remember - this program involves not only a cash gift on November 12, but whatever amount God leads you to commit to give over the next 36 months. Most of us can give far more than we initially think by giving it over a three year period.

There are two basic approaches to giving:

1. I can give based on REASON. This means I look at what I have, figure out what is “reasonable,” and commit that amount. It takes no faith to give by reason. Reason asks, “What can I afford?”

2. I can give based on REVELATION. This means I determine my gift by praying, “Lord, what do you want to give through me?” This requires faith. When you make giving a matter of prayer, your decision becomes an act of worship. Revelation giving is asking “How much am I willing to trust God?”

Paul said of the Macedonians, “They gave not only what they could afford, they gave even more than they could afford!” 2 Cor. 7:3