Eleven Reasons Why I Give...

(Reposted from 11/14/2008) A few years ago, I compiled a list of reasons why I give to the Lord's work. Here they are, with a prayer that they will challenge all who review them: I give... 1. Because God expects and commands it - "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that they will be no collections when I come" (! Corinthians 16:1,2). 2. Because giving pleases God - "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Hebrews 13:16). 3. Because God loves a cheerful giver - "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). 4. Because I refuse to worship God without tangibly showing my gratitude to Him - "Then the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver" (2 Samuel 24:24). 5. Because I refuse to worship at the expense of others, without sharing a proportionate amount of the costs - "For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack--that there may be equality" (2 Corinthians 8:13-14). 6. Because I would like for God to trust me with the ability to give more - "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). 7. Because I want to share in the blessings of ministry - "But this I say, He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9:6). "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account" (Philippians 4:17). 8. Because I want to be like God the Father - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life' (John 3:16). "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15). 9. Because I want to be like the Lord Jesus - "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). 10. Because God has given me health, strength, and opportunities to earn a living - "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17). 11. Because of the blessings I receive directly from giving - "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35).