Satan would like nothing better than to cause us as believers to confuse “stewardship” with “fund-raising.” The Internal Revenue Service treats tithing and grace giving to a church as just another avenue of “charitable donations.” Of course, “no tangible goods or services are received in return” for such donations!
But Satan wants us to forget what the intangible benefits are to giving to God's work! As we start with the tithe and then grow in the grace of giving, our faith is increased. We see God's abundant provision of our needs. God's full-time servants and God's poor are provided for. Most importantly, the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ is spread worldwide, and souls are brought into the kingdom of God! This is the fulfillment of stewardship!
Missions is God's idea, and faith giving is His method of financing. It should be a priority in our giving. Such giving, unlike the tithe, is not commanded of us, but Paul recommended it highly (2 Cor. 8:8,10,11)! Only those believers who follow the example of the Philippians in giving by faith to see the Gospel advanced can claim the wonderful promise of Phil. 4:19 that “my God [the God of Paul] shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” We should desire to grow in this grace also (2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 8:7).
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
Bob Vradenburgh is the senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has spent 40 years in full-time Christian service: the first 20 years as a missionary and the past 20 years in the pastorate. Bob’s passion is the expository preaching of God’s Word,...
