Day 17: Biblical Simplicity and Giving

Giving in the Bible

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” Acts 2:44-45

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” 2 Cor. 8:2-5

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of see and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Cor. 9:6-11

Pooling our Resources

Foster says, “Most of us could get rid of half our possessions without any serious sacrifice.” <—-Click to tweet.

What would it be like to earnestly get rid of your access and match it with someone else’s need? There is a world full of hurting and needy people – spiritually impoverished and physically impoverished. What is the body of Christ doing to meet this need?

There are two stories in the bible that I love and have been pondering recently – the widow who gives her all away (Luke 21:1-4) and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16). The widow of Zarephath is down to her last oil and flour and then she must use it to provide for Elijah, and it keeps replenishing itself as long as he is there. I want to give as sacrificially as these women do, to the point where it could hurt. I honestly have no idea how to give this way. Do you?

My church is ramping up for a giving campaign soon called Make Initiative. I am going to let you in on a little secret – I had never been part of church capital or giving compaigns until becoming a member at Valleydale, so the concept was weird to me with past campaigns. This time I’ve been on the semi-front end, and it took me a while, but I caught the vision for this initiative. I don’t want to talk too much about it before it begins, but suffice it to say all of our moneys will be pooled into one fund, and campaigns may become a regular part of church life at my church. This means all the people passionate about missions, all passionate about reducing debt, all passionate about maintaining our facilities can unite their passions through giving to the same thing. I love that. The name of our campaign is Make Initiative because we will Make Jesus Known and Make Disciples. For this girl who writes in order to make more Jesus disciples – this is a dream I can back, so I have been dreaming on how to participate.

I want to be a creative giver. Since I make no income on my own, I’ve decided to grow my hair out and stop having it professionally dyed, and I am committing to do this for two years. This does not mean that I am not cutting it or maintaining it. I am going to get it cut today as a matter of fact. It also does not mean that I will stop dyeing it altogether. I wanted to sacrifice something I could see. So far I’ve earned $30. 🙂

I really love what Foster writes, “If you find that you are becoming attached to some possession, consider giving it to someone who needs it. I still remember the Christmas I decided that rather than buying or even making an item, I would give away something that meant a lot to me. My motive was selfish: I wanted to know the liberation that comes from even this simple act of voluntary poverty.”

I too want to know this same liberation – the freedom in giving to others, in humbling myself for the glory of Christ. My prayer is that through this simple act of growing out my hair, my passion and creativity for giving to others and to the mission of Christ expands. May our giving increase.

How have you been giving sacrifically? How are you giving to the Kingdom monetarily?

This post is one is one in a series of posts of 31 days of Simplicity. To see the rest of the posts in the series, click the icon below:

Photo Credit: Sharon Mollerus

Linking up in these places today: Thriving Thursdays, Hearts for Home, Desire to Inspire, Thrive at Home, and Proverbs31 Thursdays