By Dave English
“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:10-21) This is the most powerful truth about money in all Scripture.
Jesus goes further than to just say “put your money where your mouth is.” He suggests that action results in feelings and, more importantly, in commitment. He says, “whatever you invest heavily in, whatever you spend your life for, will capture your heart.” Invest heavily in God’s Kingdom, and your commitment and motivation to do God’s work will grow. You can’t serve two masters, God and money.
On one hand, this is frightening. On the other, it’s exciting. I can deepen my motivation for God’s interests by pursuing them rather than pursuing money. Because money expresses what we treasure. We’ll scrimp and save, slave and calculate to obtain something we treasure. Why not scrimp and save, slave and calculate to invest in God’s Kingdom?
If we really love Jesus, we’ll “give till it hurts,” we’ll sacrifice. That’s what we do for anything we value. And that’s what Jesus calls us to do for Him. The sacrifice flows from our gratitude to Him and from treasuring Him.
“God loves a cheerful giver” — but cheerful doesn’t simply wait for some internal urge. Sacrifice requires discipline. Christ calls us to disciplined, sacrificial, cheerful giving. Develop a habit of sacrificial giving.
How much is sacrificial? That varies with individuals and cultures. I suggest that 10 percent of one’s income is only a starting point for most Americans. Why? Two reasons: 1) We have resources. We’re wealthy compared to the rest of the world; and 2) Christians could probably save almost 10 percent of their income by simply living a healthier lifestyle (less smoking, drinking, and other excesses). Consider giving 20, 30, even 50 percent of your income!
Good habits are invaluable. A habit of sacrificial giving will make giving easier and more joyful in the years ahead. With a pattern of non-sacrificial giving comes the habit of not trusting God and not treasuring His kingdom. The path to joy is in losing our lives for Him.
Where are you leading your chapter in this area? What kind of example are you? Do you have a habit of joyful, sacrificial giving to God’s interests? If not, start immediately.
What are you training your fellowship to do? Have you discussed the issue? How have you encouraged folks to take responsibility for various needs?
This is one of the three most significant areas of Christian obedience. The other two are sexuality and pride. To fail here is serious!
Encourage chapter members to give to the chapter, your staff worker, IFES, their local church, and any effective missionary, especially those who have been part of InterVarsity.
