If our spiritual
vitality seems low, if Bible study produces
only dusty words, if prayer seems hollow and
empty, then perhaps a prescription of lavish
and joyful giving is just what we need. Giving
brings authenticity and vitality to our devotional
experience.
Money is an
effective way of showing our love to God because
it is so much a part of us. One economist
put it this way: "Money as a form of
power is so intimately related to the possessor
that one cannot consistently give money without
giving self." In a sense, money is coined
personality, so tied to who we are that when
we give it we are giving ourselves. We sing,
"Take my life and let it be, consecrated,
Lord, to Thee." But we must flesh out
that consecration in specific ways, which
is why the next line of the hymn says, "Take
my silver and my gold, not a mite would I
withhold." We consecrate ourselves by
consecrating our money . . .
When we give
money we are releasing a little more of our
egocentric selves and a little more of our
false security. John Wesley declared that
"if you have any desire to escape the
damnation of hell, give all you can; otherwise
I can have no more hope of your salvation
than that of Judas Iscariot."
Giving frees
us from the tyranny of money. But we do not
just give money; we give the things money
has purchased. In Acts the early Christian
community gave houses and land to provide
funds for those in need (Acts 4:32-37). Have
you ever considered selling a car or a stamp
collection to help finance someone's education?
Money has also given us the time and leisure
to acquire skills. What about giving those
skills away? Doctors, dentists, lawyers, computer
experts, and many others can give their skills
for the good of the community.
Giving frees
us to care. It produces an air of expectancy
as we anticipate what God will lead us to
give. It makes life with God an adventure
of discovery. We are being used to help make
a difference in the world, and that is worth
living for and giving for.
Controlling
and Using
Although
giving must have a large place in Christian
experience, the control and use of money must
have an even larger place. Believers who are
rightly taught and disciplined are enabled
to hold possessions without corruption and
use them for the greater purposes of the kingdom
of God.
The truth
is that total divestiture is usually a very
poor way to help the poor. Certainly it is
vastly inferior to the proper management and
use of resources. How much better to have
wealth and resources in the hands of those
who are properly disciplined and informed
by a Christian world view than to abandon
these things to the servants of mammon!
Abraham managed
large holdings for the glory of God and the
greater public good. So did Job and David
and Solomon. In the New Testament Nicodemus
used both his wealth and his high position
for the good of Christian fellowship . . .
The call of
God is upon us to use money within the confines
of a properly disciplined spiritual life and
to manage money for the good of all humanity
and for the glory of God. And when this is
done we are drawn deeper into the divine Center.
We stand amazed that God would use our meager
efforts to do his work upon the earth. . .
Money is a blessing when it is used within
the context of the life and power of God (pp.
42-46).
