Gifts and giving

BY HELEN BESSENT BYRD (M.Div.’07)

One of the basic precepts of Christian living is gift giving. Sovereign God, who is the creator, sustainer and redeemer, provides for his followers and teaches them to be good stewards of the blessings that he bestows on them. Living out the abundant love of the Triune God, Christians are to love God (Deut, 6:5) and love brothers and sisters as they love themselves (Lev. 19:18) for God is love.

Giving to others is an indication of Christian commitment and discipleship. The way believers use God’s gifts evinces their response to God’s gift of his son, Jesus Christ. God’s people manage the Creator God’s gifts responsibly and seek to use well good gifts. As good stewards, our gifts may be:  time laboring for others; contribution of our knowledge, skills, and abilities to aid an individual or group; provision of material goods to help others; or donation of money to a cause for the purchase of either of the aforementioned types of gifts. Jesus Christ, the self-giving son of God, said, “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:38).

Giving is a spiritual act that grows out of the heart. It is selfless, not selfish, expressions of Christians. It is sharing whatever blessings one receives from God for the good of others. Followers of Christ tend to avoid luxuries and extravagance recognizing the merit of living simply so that others may simply live. Believers put their faith in action when they give to carry out the ends of the church which are, “the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world” (F-1.0304 BOC, PCUSA).

The gifts that you pledge and actually give are like a camera taking your photograph. They reveal you to God and to others. They are also like a mirror before you revealing you to yourself. They show you:  the portion of the blessings that God has given you that you are willing to invest in God; your love for God and others; and your attitude about and strength of your faith. Guidance for God’s children is to, “Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I, therefore, command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land’” (Deut. 15:10-11).

Remember giving is a spiritual act. Freely give to UPSem and confidently know that your gifts support all of the great ends of the church. The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

See the website for giving opportunities. For tracking purposes, when you give write “BAA” on the line with your name if you give online, and on the memo line if you send a check.