The Church, across every continent and age and city, is united in the common practice of giving—the giving of their resources and money to those who are less fortunate and impacted by the circumstances of the world. And it’s ultimately our way of honoring God’s intention that began with Abram: that He would bless us for the sake of blessing the world.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. — Acts 4
It’s through the Church,
Through the community of believers,
Through those who have been saved from brokenness and hurt,
Through people who have been set free from the ways of the world,
That God’s goodness and generosity are revealed and released.
But as we set our gaze on the world, it’s easy to see that there is still so much loss and brokenness left out in the world. There are still so many issues: empty bellies, downtrodden faces, destruction, war, thirst… the question remains: if there are so many churches and Christ followers in the world, why does there continue to exist so much need?
It’s because those who have been blessed to be a blessing are not blessing the world.
Richard Stearns, the former President of the nonprofit organization World Vision, suggests that even if we gave an increase of 1% (about $52 more per year) a year as Christians in America we could:
Provide clean water to every human being on the planet. (Cost? $70 billion.)
Eradicate hunger and food insecurity. (Cost? $300 billion.)
Eradicate fatal diseases like malaria. (Cost? $86 billion.)
Provide loans and micro-financing for new businesses and create sustainable jobs around the world. (Cost? $30 billion. )
And after all that, we would still have billions left over to address national poverty issues, diseases, education, and all that plague our lands.
If the Church today gave like the Church in Acts, we could see God’s intentions carried out in the world—and the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abram that all nations would be blessed through us. It’s in the common practice of giving that we sow seeds of God’s blessings around the world, knowing that many people will benefit and be nourished by the fruit that will come forth over time.
So how do we practice the common discipline of giving?
Jesus gives his disciples instructions in John 14 to “love the way I loved”:
If you love me, keep my commands… My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This is my command: Love each other. — Jesus
So how do we practice this commandment?
- We love the way Jesus loved by offering our time, resources, and attention to those in need around us, but first and foremost, those in our tribe. Is there someone who is in need of a listening ear? Someone who could benefit from a gift or a meal? Or who simply need a word of encouragement?
- Jesus had a special eye for those who were oppressed and marginalized. Look into an organization that you can give to that has partnered with EKKO in the past year, such as charity: water, Olivia’s Basket, Women’s Transitional Living Center, or the Equal Justice Initiative.
- Give faithfully of your tithes and offerings to the local church. The local church, as a representative of Jesus, not only collects for its ongoing existence, but as a funnel to bless those within the church (benevolence) as well as those outside of the church (relief/reform/recovery). Give thankfully and cheerfully, knowing that what you give is a volitional act of participation in loving others the way Jesus intended.
For more discussion and behind the scenes of this sermon in the Common Series, listen to our new podcast: The Common Podcast. We upload new episodes every Wednesday! Stay tuned as we continue to learn the Common practices that keep us united as Christ-followers.