Our hands must be open & our arms outstretched to give, in order that we can receive more!
The hand that gives, gathers (English proverb)

The example of Jesus

• Was Jesus a giver or a getter?
• List the ways you can think of in which Jesus gave of himself to others
• Christ loved us and gave himself up for us (Ephesians 5v2)
• ….the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20v35)

Why should we give?

• Give because everything belongs to God
• Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (1 Chronicles 29v14)
• Give because God has given us so much
• In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us (Ephesians 1v7-8)
• Give because God will give you more
• "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3v10)

What does Jesus teach?

• Don't worry about the future – trust God
• "… your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6v33-34)
• Give so God can give you more
• "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6v38)
• The widow's gift – Mark 12v41-44
• The parable of the sheep & goats – Matthew 25v31-46
• We need to balance giving to God through the Church and giving to people in need

How much should we give?

• Give in proportion to your income
• Old Testament taught minimum 10%
• …if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. (2 Corinthians 8v12)
• Give sacrificially
• "All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21v4)
• Give in a regular, planned way

• No rules, but in response to God's generosity
• God loves a cheerful giver; (2 Corinthians 9v7)
• Does your giving truly reflect how much God means to you and how grateful you are to him for all he's given you?

Our finance Church campaign

• Deficit last year of €13,000 !
• Responses since our prayer & fasting will help
• But we must ensure our future by prayer & giving
• No outside sources of income
• Letters for everyone outlining our need to meet our annual budget of €75,000 minimum
• Response forms (to be seen only by our Treasurer) so the Church Council can plan & decide if drastic action is needed !
• Please return the forms during February
• Meetings after February services for questions, or speak to Church Council members
• Let's trust God to move us to meet the need