100 Days to a Healthier ChurchSample

Day 69

Today’s Big Idea: Planning to give. Giving is central to the Christian life because it is central to the character of God. In fact, giving is important enough that it’s worth planning for.

Key Verse: On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made (1 Corinthians 16:2).

Thoughts to Consider: One of the great, forgotten stories of the New Testament is something the apostle Paul called “the collection for the Lord’s people.” Everywhere he went, Paul told the churches to start a collection of funds to help the persecuted church in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 2 Corinthians 8:1–9:15; Romans 15:14–32). In fact, this is why Paul was in a hurry to arrive in Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost, as mentioned in the narrative about sailing past Ephesus.

Paul told the churches he worked among to collect money every week when they gathered and not to wait until he arrived. Why? Because he knew that planned, purposeful, consistent giving will yield more benefits than a last-minute emotional appeal. This is another example of why planning is not unspiritual but one of the ways we practice good stewardship. As you and your team work toward a goal, keep this in mind. If something is worth doing, it’s worth planning well.