2009-11-11T16:49:14-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com http://www.gospel.com/feeds/topics/giving http://gospel.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/11/should-christians-support-only-christian-charities/ 2009-11-11T16:49:14-05:00 Do you give higher (or sole) priority in your giving to evangelistic ministries? http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020:35&version=NIV 2009-10-02T10:18:59-05:00 It's fun to receive a gift, but it's more deeply satisfying to give a gift to somebody who truly needs it. Jesus taught that this attitude of giving should shape all of our life. http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%208:1-5&version=NIV 2009-09-27T21:21:05-05:00 Paul praises one of the early Christian communities for giving beyond their means--despite their own financial difficulties, they did not hesitate to give what they had to those in need. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/giving-a-man-a-makeover-2895 2009-09-25T13:54:57-05:00 Unfortunately, a lot of women want to give God a little help in reconstructing the old boy. So she brings out her hammer and chisel - nagging him to change, pushing, criticizing, attacking, putting him down. She's making this guy her personal makeover project - "I'll change him." Not likely. All those push tactics make him feel cornered, attacked - less secure and therefore, less likely to change. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-personal-power/throwing-out-goodies-3736 2009-09-21T13:43:56-05:00 You can keep giving out to other people because God is always going to give you back more than you gave out. You shovel out, God shovels in, and God has a much bigger shovel. And what are we giving out ultimately? Grace. Undeserved favor - just like we've received from God. http://hutchcraft.com/a-life-that-matters/radio-program/good-news-bad-news-money-news-8229 2009-09-11T13:23:08-05:00 The pastor got up to the pulpit one Sunday and made an unusual announcement: “I’ve got some bad news, some good news and some bad news for you.” He had everybody’s attention. He said, “The bad news is the roof on the church is shot; it’s got to be replaced. The good news is we have the money. The bad news is it’s in your wallets!” http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-mission/making-life-an-adventure-5900 2009-09-11T12:18:48-05:00 If your life has seemed a little claustrophobic lately, unsatisfying, boring, maybe you've been all wrapped up in yourself, maybe with some reason because of what you've been going through. But you're missing the adventure. You're missing the healing power of getting your eyes off yourself and onto who you can help. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/the-harvest-of-doing-good-5888 2009-09-11T11:18:52-05:00 Give a gift when there's no occasion for your appreciation but just the person himself. Send those thank you notes. Give that compliment; that word of encouragement. Use the money that God's entrusted to you to lift people's burdens and people's spirits. Don't be afraid to be generous. After all, Jesus said, "You lose your life by trying to hang onto it, but you find your life by giving it away." http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%209:7-8&version=NIV 2009-09-09T15:35:35-05:00 Paul tells the Corinthians that they should give as their hearts determine. He says that God loves a cheerful giver and that God's grace will abound on all who give freely. http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2016:2&version=NIV 2009-08-27T18:07:44-05:00 In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians he gives them some advice on giving, saying that they should set aside a sum of money on the first day of the week each week so that when he came to collect there would be no problems. He wasn't just collecting this money for himself, but also for other projects and people.