Grace and gratitude belong together like heaven and earth. Grace evokes gratitude like the voice an echo. Gratitude follows grace as thunder follows lightning. — Karl Barth
OBEDIENCE TO GOD
We give because God told us to give — and we recognize that it is all his to begin with (Psalm 24:1; Job 41:11). God is not after our money, he is after our heart. He wants us to trust him and knows that our resources are connected to our heart (Matthew 6:21-24). As we obey biblical instructions to give a tithe (tenth of our income) and offering, we activate our faith. Giving is an act of love and worship.
GRATITUDE IN RESPONSE TO JESUS
We have experienced the radical generosity of God in Jesus (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus gave himself fully to the point of death in order that we may have life — rescuing us from sin, Satan and death. Our natural response is gratitude: generous gratitude. We handle our finances in response to the generosity of Jesus.
USING TEMPORARY RESOURCES FOR AN ETERNAL KINGDOM
We want our lives and resources to last beyond this life. None of our possessions will last, but when we contribute to the work of Jesus we can participate in something that has eternal purposes. We give, recognizing that it is the only way for our temporary resources to make an impact that will last for eternity.
We give because God told us to give — and we recognize that it is all his to begin with (Psalm 24:1; Job 41:11). God is not after our money, he is after our heart. He wants us to trust him and knows that our resources are connected to our heart (Matthew 6:21-24). As we obey biblical instructions to give a tithe (tenth of our income) and offering, we activate our faith. Giving is an act of love and worship.
GRATITUDE IN RESPONSE TO JESUS
We have experienced the radical generosity of God in Jesus (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus gave himself fully to the point of death in order that we may have life — rescuing us from sin, Satan and death. Our natural response is gratitude: generous gratitude. We handle our finances in response to the generosity of Jesus.
USING TEMPORARY RESOURCES FOR AN ETERNAL KINGDOM
We want our lives and resources to last beyond this life. None of our possessions will last, but when we contribute to the work of Jesus we can participate in something that has eternal purposes. We give, recognizing that it is the only way for our temporary resources to make an impact that will last for eternity.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Jesus, Matthew 6:19-21 ESV