Why Give
We have 3 guidelines when we think about giving: tithe, sacrifice, and responsibility. The tithe guideline points us to believers who were required to give a tenth of their income to the church in the Old Testament. The New Testament doesn't specify a tithe, but we have greater responsibility for generosity this side of the cross. The tithe for us is a minimum. The Macedonian Christians demonstrate sacrifice. The Bible says "they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability". (2 Cor. 8:3). The responsibility guideline means balance, in Acts 11:29 Christians give "according to their ability". Planning is necessary for Christians in order to give responsibly.
More important than that we give, is why we give. Giving must be a joyful response to God's grace! Paul put it this way: "I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich." (2 Cor. 8:8-9). What a test! Paul says the difference between giving to gain favor with God and true Christianity is that a Christian wants to give as generously as he or she received. You always give effortlessly to those things that give your life meaning.
Investing in City Church of San Francisco is strategic, wise, and far reaching. Strategic because no city in the U.S. is as untouched by the gospel of grace as is San Francisco. Wise because God has done a great work through City Church since 1996 as hundreds of lives have been changed. Far Reaching because when you impact the city, you impact the world. As the place where you have the greatest personal accountability and commitment, and as the place that is feeding and equipping you, we ask you to invest in City Church, making it your priority in giving.
Sermons About Giving
A Kingdom that Offers Shade to the World >
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