“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Our Responsibility to Give
As we think about giving to build the church, it is essential to remember our responsibility as members of the body of Christ. God encourages us to use our resources wisely, and giving is an integral part of our faith journey. By giving, we show our commitment to the church and direction of God’s purpose. We are reminded to contribute joyfully to the work of the church, acknowledging that our gifts help spread His love and message to the world. When we give, it symbolizes our acceptance of God’s grace and generosity in our lives, inspiring others within our community to do the same.
1 Corinthians 16:2
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” – 1 Corinthians 16:2
2 Corinthians 9:11
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:11
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” – Proverbs 3:9-10
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38
Cheerful Giving
Giving cheerfully is essential when we think about building our church community. God wants our hearts to be in the right place when we give. We celebrate the blessings we receive from Him and respond with gratitude by giving back. It is not simply about meeting a requirement; it is about the spirit in which we give. When we give with joy, we strengthen our ties to one another and become united in our purpose to glorify God through our resources. We can encourage each other to be generous and cheerful givers as we contribute to the church together.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
1 Chronicles 29:9
“The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.” – 1 Chronicles 29:9
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
Mark 12:41-44
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.’” – Mark 12:41-44
Building Together in Unity
The beauty of giving to build the church lies in the unity it brings. We come together, regardless of our backgrounds, wealth, or status, to contribute to something far greater than ourselves. This unity creates a sense of belonging and purpose as we work on spreading the message of Christ. Building together means being part of a community that supports one another, fosters faith, and encourages growth. Each contribution we make, both small and large, is a powerful testament to our bond in Christ and the mission we pursue as His body on Earth.
Ephesians 4:16
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” – Ephesians 4:16
Romans 12:4-5
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” – Romans 12:4-5
1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Philippians 1:5
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” – Philippians 1:5
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24
Faith in Our Giving
When we give to build the church, we express our faith in action. Trusting God to use our resources for His divine work reinforces our relationships with Him and each other. Giving reflects our acknowledgement that everything we have is ultimately a gift from God, and we are merely stewards of these gifts. The act of giving can also deepen our trust as we witness how He blesses others and us through our generosity. With every act of giving, we cultivate our faith and understanding of God’s purposes for our lives and our church community.
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Luke 12:32
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:32
Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10
Matthew 21:22
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22
The Impact of Generosity
When we give generously, we can witness the tremendous impact on our church and the people within it. The fruits of our generosity can expand outreach, serve the needy, and spark spiritual growth. By giving, we allow God to use our contributions to touch lives, spread the gospel, and create lasting change in our community. The result of our collective giving allows us to fulfill the mission of the church. We are not just building a place; we are shaping hearts and lives through our love and generosity.
Acts 2:44-45
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” – Acts 2:44-45
Luke 14:13-14
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” – Luke 14:13-14
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27
2 Corinthians 8:2
“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” – 2 Corinthians 8:2
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9
Giving in Faithfulness
We commit to giving faithfully when we understand the importance of supporting our church. Giving is an expression of our devotion to God and our desire to see His kingdom grow. Each time we give, we are reminded that we are not merely giving to a building or institution but investing in a mission that brings hope, healing, and salvation to those around us. As we contribute consistently, we demonstrate our faithfulness and trust in God’s promises to bless those who pursue His work diligently.
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
1 Timothy 6:18-19
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” – 1 Timothy 6:18-19
Titus 3:14
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” – Titus 3:14
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40
Hebrews 13:16
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the biblical principles regarding giving to build the church, it is clear that our contributions play a pivotal role in furthering God’s work. Each act of generosity, big or small, becomes part of a grand mission to touch lives and spread His love. Our giving should not come from obligation, but rather from joy and faith in what God is doing in and through us. We come together as a community to support one another, maintaining unity and pursuing our mission collectively. By giving cheerfully, we strengthen our faith and the bonds within our church family. Being faithful stewards also allows us to witness the blessings that follow generous hearts. Let us carry these lessons in our hearts as we continue to build our church with unwavering faith and commitment.
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