Giving Is Living
"In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men". (John 1:4)
Jesus, our Savior, showed us the loving nature of our heavenly Father. That nature is always giving - from providing provision, healing, restoration, instruction, mercy and eternal life, among many other things.
Because He has given to us so freely, we show our gratitude to Him by giving to others. Just as every "good" thing that has been created (think of a bible, a tract, a Christian song or sermon), there was a "life" intended to be "lived" by it... to proclaim of that Light which John spoke of, leading one to eternal life, to restoration and encouragement.
In this same manner our finances have the capability to "live" - they can be given to support the preaching of the gospel, to assist the poor, to help heal the broken-hearted, to strengthen families, to help build foundations in the lives of young believers towards Christ... and as many positive actions as you can imagine from the numerous ministries at work in this country and around the world.
Or, we can take all of our finances, spend them on ourselves to buy things which will eventually turn to dust.
Consider how many goods we purchase that are made in other countries around the globe. Those dollars go towards providing a livelihood for those workers that you have never met. In the same manner when we give to ministries that carry out the Great Commission abroad - in many instances places of desolate poverty or government oppression against the Word, it is bringing The Life to many people you may never meet.
We can see some of the growing needs in our own metropolitan area, and there are many credible ministries serving to help them. I would like to highlight two of them to you.
Denver Rescue Mission - helping restore the lives of people experiencing homelessness and addiction through emergency services, rehabilitation, transitional programs and community outreach with the goal of returning them to society as productive, self-sufficient citizens. Their website is denverrescuemission.org.
Restoration Outreach Programs - serving the East Colfax Community, they develop redemptive relationships with teens and children, provide resources that help individuals lead lives towards self-sufficiency and restore broken lives. Their website is restorationoutreachprograms.org.
If you decide to give to any ministry, choose those that do so in the name of Christ... as the two ministries above do. For those ministries are doing more than fulfilling a need - they are pointing the way to our God of compassion, mercy and eternal salvation. It has the capacity to reshape that person's view of God and that they are loved by Him. It is written in Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do (no matter what it is) in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus".
This giving towards other ministries comes after having given your tithe to the Lord. Malachi 3:10 reads "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house..." For your home church is where you are fed, and your church body and local community are served in a multitude of ways.
Lastly, be encouraged in your giving by what is written in 2 Corinthians 9, revealing God's viewpoint... "He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without a cheerful, joyous, "prompt to do it" giver, whose heart is in his giving."
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
