Dr. David Stevens, who is CEO Emeritus of CMDA, tells the story of his personal giving during a major fundraising campaign. I paraphrase him: “At first, we gave what we thought we could afford, and it felt good. But God spoke to us and asked us to give a little more. So, we did, and it hurt a bit. Then God spoke and asked for a little more. And it hurt a bit more. We gave an amount that was even more painful, and God asked for more. So, then we gave what we knew we could not possibly afford, and it felt good again.”

Why do we give?

Often, it’s because we feel guilty if we don’t. I think there are several more substantial, biblical principles for our giving that we should take seriously:

1. We give because there is need. We live in a broken and fallen world where people suffer and many are lost from God forever.
2. We give out of gratitude. How can I thank Him for the cross?
3. We give because we are commanded to by the One who has all authority over heaven and earth.
4. We give so those who receive will look at us, as followers of Christ, and wonder why.
5. We give because it changes us:
   1. We become people who pour out rather than suck in. Such is the image of God.
   2. We become people who trust God with what we have left, a trust that allows us to see Him in ways we would never have seen had we not given.
   3. We become people of joy when we see the good that giving brings to others.

Can I give until it hurts, hurts enough to feel good again?

Dear Father,

Thank you for blessing after blessing. Let me show the world what you look like through my giving.

Amen