Real Hope: GivingSample

Generosity Over Responsibility

This one verse of many in the Old Testament book of Malachi encourages support for the house and the work of God. Paul, in Galatians 2:10, adds, 'to remember the poor’.

Malachi promotes the giving of tithes (10%) and offerings. Some New Testament believers have decided that, they too, would make this a goal or starting point for their giving. Robert LeTourneau, the inventor of massive earth-moving equipment, in his book, "Mover of Men and Mountains", said he ended up giving 90% to God as the remaining 10% was still too much for him to use.

There is a formula that Kathryn and I use for our giving. It is simply, 'generosity over responsibility'. We wish to live as responsible believers looking after our families, but also mindful of the needs of the church and society. We don’t want to live in community without doing some heavy lifting ourselves. On top of this, we want to be generous and lead by the Holy Spirit to help others in need.

There’s no one ‘formula’ that’s correct but, by prayer, study of the Word of God, and essential discussion and agreement between yourselves as couples, you could arrive at an agreed starting point for a lifetime of Christian service and the joy of giving.

Written by JOHN SCOTT