Accepting the Challenge to Give

Kids Jam is almost here. Every year is an incredible time for the church to invest in kid’s ministry with fun crafts, exciting games, missionary stories, creative worship, and lots of caffeine! Reflecting back on 2022, I recall the competitive offering between boys and girls.  The high-stakes challenge was the side that brought the most would determine if me or Catherine would get a pie in the face.  Needless to say, photo evidence suggests that the girls won, and even the boys turned on me and placed their offerings in the girl’s bucket. 

I happily took one for the team because the kids were excited and we were trying to teach them about the importance of giving.  Specifically that year they were giving to provide beds for children in our community.  While this year’s goal will be equally important and I may yet again be eating whipped cream out of my ear, the point is greater.

I know money is a sensitive issue and often an excuse people give for not coming to church. It is true that in some churches throughout history, greed, and corruption could drive an exhausting emphasis on money. Thankfully that is not the case at our church. We do celebrate and worship by giving when we gather, but it is not the high-pressure and guilt-driven manipulation that some suggest.  In fact, for a first or second-time guest, their presence is a gift to us and not their money.

While it can be awkward, we must acknowledge that God has clear expectations for giving. God requires very little of us actually. Through grace, we walk in freedom from the Law and all its rules.  Giving however is an expectation that started well before Law came and was reinforced by Jesus through Paul after the Law was fulfilled.

We cannot escape the expectation and we cannot out-give God because He blesses with abundance.  I would dare you to accept the challenge to give faithfully, regularly, and generously.  God establishes ten percent as a good baseline. I know that defies logic, but trust me when I say you can live better off of ten percent as God pours out blessings than you could ever live off of one hundred percent.  I double-dog dare ya!