2ND SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT, SUNDAY OF 18TH NOVEMBER 2018
Introduction
You are most welcome to this service in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
Giving is central in building the kingdom of God. The Purpose of Giving in the Church is fulfilling an Obligation, Act of Worship and Prayer, Return to the Lord, Support the Needy and Ministry. Therefore in fulfilling the above purposes, there are several forms of Giving required like – (1) Tithes (2) Offertory (3) Pledges and (4) Thanksgiving – which is our main focus today.
- Tithe – refers to one tenth of produce, earnings, interests, income and profits given to the Church and Clergy. It is a compulsory giving of every faithful to the Church (Malachi 3:6-12).
- Offertory – refers to the giving in Church every time we are in the presence of the Lord at the altar. It is only right, proper and in order that every time you come to Church, you give an offertory (Matthew 5:23).
- Pledges – refers to the giving in Church for a particular cause well explained by the Priest/Leaders like building, support to the needy, Ministry, expanding of God’s Kingdom and facilitation of leaders.
- Thanksgiving – refers to the giving in Church as a way of returning to God for His miracles and blessings in your life like the gift of life, marriage, children and their successes, promotion, election, appointment, employment, business and success in education and home, among others.
The most underlying factor in giving is sincerity, faithfulness, appreciation, return and thankfulness to God the provider. Giving, therefore, with reservation as in Ananias and Sapphira did in Acts 5:1-11, or giving just out of abundance and not in the right proportion as the rich people in Luke 21:1-4 is not only sinful, but also unchristian, thus indicative of being led by the flesh not the Holy Spirit. We must therefore always give out of love, conviction and right proportion as evidenced by the poor widow in Luke 21:1-4 and the Churches of Macedonia in 2Corinthians 8:1-3
Conclusion
The Forms of Giving are Tithe, Offertory, Pledges and Thanksgiving which we must give according to proportion and purpose, out of love, generosity, conviction and willingness, because God loves a cheerful giver.
In addition, we must give our lives first to God and then by the will of God to His Ministry, in order for us to give even beyond our means (2Corithians 8: 3-5).
Reverend Grace Lubaale
ASSOCIATE CHAPLAIN
QUESTIONS FOR HOME CELL BIBLE STUDY AND PERSONAL REFLECTION
Reflect on the readings of Malachi 3:6-12, Luke 21:1-4 and 2Corinthias 8:1-5 and evaluate yourself in the areas of Giving and share with your Cell Members your strategies to improving in this area.
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