We’ve been told we should support the church.
The pastor needs a salary, there are utilities to pay, and the building needs to be updated every few years.
Few of us would argue with those needs. They are reasonable and expected in today’s expensive world.
Yet there are other ways we can open our wallets. There are opportunities to help others with our finances, and they are all around us.
Here are four ways we can use our pocketbooks and show our generosity to those at our side.
Mark 9:41 suggests being kind to those in need.
“For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”
Acts 20:35 says we can support the weak, both in spiritual matters as well as in material ones.
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
1 John 3:17 tells us our family should be part of our financial plan.
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
Matthew 25:40 reminds us that every person we meet is a stand-in for Jesus. How we treat them (our generosity!) reflects how we treat Christ, our Savior and Lord.
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ”
Here’s what this is about: Writing a check isn’t enough. Giving to the church isn’t a ticket to heaven. Our generous pocketbook must be a thing of the heart, a willingness to do for others in whatever situation we find them.
Let’s get committed to Jesus, one hundred percent, all in.
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