Dear friends,

Many are asking why we should give an offering in the church. The primary reason is that giving is part of a Christian’s nature as a steward of God’s creation. God is the owner of this world, the creator of every thing around us. As part of our thanksgiving to God, we give a our lives, positions and possessions to spread the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

There are three principles that Paul gives us with regards to Christian giving on Acts 20.

First, give what is yours and do not covet what is not yours. In Acts 20:33 Paul wrote, “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.”

This means that we do not need to wait for the millions that may come our way or not. We can start giving by what we have.

Second, it is a great joy to give what you have worked for.

Paul clarified that what he gave, he had worked for it. Acts 20:34 says, “You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs

and the needs of my companions.”

Giving is not difficult when you love the recipient of your gift. But if we do not love the receiver, it is very difficult to give. Let us remember that the ultimate recipient of our gift is Jesus Christ. Let us give joyfully as “God loves a cheerful giver.”

Third, God gives more blessings to those who give than those who only receive.

Paul wrote in 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.’”

This saying of Jesus cannot be found in the four gospels but only in the Book of Acts. Paul is telling us that we can probably give without loving but for sure we cannot love without giving.

Let us not neglect the opportunity that God has given us to give. You are assured that your offering will find its way to impact a life for the glory of God.

Sincerely,

Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director
Office of Communications
Central Philippine University