I have the privilege of traveling to churches and holding workshops on how to impact local neighborhoods. In the places I have been, I’ve made contact with many people with a variety of opinions on various subjects. When it comes to the subject of community outreach, I have come across two troublesome opinions. The first is that people are generally ungrateful for what they are given. The second is based on the fear of creating co-dependence on handouts.
Looking at both, there are merits for each; however, we are required to look at Scripture to find God’s guidance on giving. When we search the Bible, there are numerous references supporting abundant community giving. I would like to share these seven reasons for giving bountifully:
1. Scripture commands us: love compels us (Mark 10:21) (Luke 6:38) (2Corithians 9:28)
2. Giving honors God who gave His Son for us.
3. Jesus Did!
4. It is a sign of being Christ- Like.
5. Giving softens people’s hearts within the community.
6. Giving gives purpose to a church and its members.
7. Giving brings an anointing of increase and opens up the windows of heaven.
In my travels, I’ve noticed that those churches experiencing long-term growth have members who are motivated toward sowing back into their communities. The overview I get from the churches I visit is the fact that those that are sowing love into their communities are the churches that are growing.
In Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, heaven had a way of changing Scrooges opinion. Today God is raising-up people who are willing to break the mold. Chances are good that you could be one of those people.
In His Service
Kathy Craver
www.dcimissiontrips.com
email:dcimissiontrips@gmail.com
“If you found a cure for cancer, wouldn’t it be inconceivable to hide it from the rest of mankind? How much more inconceivable to keep silent the cure from the eternal wages of death.” —Dave Davidson
